Insurance companies, adjusters and other real estate professionals need to be aware of the destruction that rodents can cause. Rodents, such as rats and mice, start fires by chewing on electrical wires that cause millions of dollars of structure damage each year.
It has been estimated that rodents cause up to 20% of undetermined fires in…
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FHA, Fannie/Freddie Tell it Like it Is (to them) by David Brauner, Editor The appraiser Valuation 2009 conference in New Orleans in November offered unprecedented access to key regulators, AMCs and other decision makers regarding the future of the appraisal industry- that’s the good news. The bad news is that you may not like what…
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Industry News HVCC Update- Seeing Light Regulators, lenders and the public are finally getting the message that all is not well with HVCC. Consider FHA’s recent mandate that appraiser fees be customary and reasonable and that there be a clear separation of appraiser and AMC fees (Page **). These requirements speak directly to appraisers’ complaints.…
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Editor’s Note: Appraisers and Home Inspectors are catching the energy-auditing wave- diversifying and adding to their bottom lines. Shining Light on Energy Auditing by David Brauner, Editor As environmental concerns among Americans reach a tipping point- saving our planet, becoming energy independent, saving money on the soaring cost of energy- appraisers, inspectors and others are...…
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Editor’s Note: Bill Cobb is a wizard at using blogging, social media and other “new stuff” to increase business. Here, he generously shares his expertise. Using Blogs to Grow Your Business By Bill Cobb This may seem shocking to you but I don’t own an appraiser “website.” I don’t need one. I am not an...…
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This article is about common mistakes in appraisal reports, whether the appraisal is for a mortgage transaction or other intended use. Most mistakes are not violations of USPAP but errors caused by a lack of common sense, trying to satisfy a client or not following Fannie Mae guidelines.
After reviewing countless appraisal reports, I noticed a…
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The anxiety of working with the new crop of appraiser management companies (AMCs) springing up since HVCC, expressed here by a long-timer reader, underscores why so many states have passed or are considering legislation to regulate AMCs. Appraisers need to know who they are dealing with and so does the public.
“One AMC I am dealing…
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Appraisers are finally being heard.
As a result of grass roots complaints by appraisers about diminishing appraisal quality in industry blogs, publications, the general media, and in a formal appeal by a coalition of appraisal organizations, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced several important policy changes intended to increase accountability and due diligence in the appraisal…
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If you’re struggling to survive post HVCC; if you’re angry at having control of your business taken from you; if you’re having trouble getting orders from AMCs even though you’re trying; if you can’t make a living working for reduced fees; if your experience is that AMCs hire based on the lowest fee rather than…
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Readers Respond Editor’s Note: The HVCC and FHA comments here are representative of many hundreds of similar sentiments expressed at the OREP/Working RE HVCC Appraiser Talkback Blog and Survey. To find a report from a “happy” AMC appraiser, see page Diary of a Happy (AMC) Appraiser. HVCC We watched revenue drop from $12,000 per month…
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