Expert Witness Testimony: Advice from the Bench State court Judge Caroline Baker has heard just about every type of civil case from contract disputes to medical malpractice. What impresses her most about the multitudes of expert witnesses that pass through her courtroom? Experts who make themselves available to testify at trial. The judge says live…
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Risk Management Strategies for Avoiding Complaints By Alan Carson Good home inspectors don’t get complaints. We thought we might catch your attention with that opening sentence! Actually, we believe that all home inspectors get complaints eventually. Why? There are several reasons but part of the answer may lie in our definition of a home inspection,...…
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Editor’s Note: In this visionary piece, David Biggers introduces you to the future of appraising. Internet: Highest and Best Use By David Biggers When it comes to technology, the appraisal industry has gone through two major upheavals over the past 20 years and is in the process of a third. The first two shifts substantially...…
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Editor’s Note: Even in these go-go times it pays to keep on eye on the bottom line. Noted author and long-time appraiser Lloyd Manning takes it down a notch to revisit some business basics. Spring Cleaning: A Business Refresher Lloyd R. Manning To run a successful appraisal or home inspection practice you must do several...…
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Editor’s Note: Events such as the sale of a business, a divorce or a buy-out between partners are occasions where the parties often disagree on the value of the item in question. These occasions are an opportunity for a valuation expert to provide a neutral opinion of value and earn a handsome fee. In such…
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Appraisers and Mold – Responsibility, Competency and Liability By Doug Smith, IFAS The mold issue is a developing story and one that is gaining momentum everyday. When it comes to mold, there are three important areas appraisers need to consider. First, due to the dangerous nature of some molds, appraisers must take their responsibilities seriously...…
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FHA Liability: A Case Study Editor’s Note: When the FHA increased responsibilities for appraisers a few years ago – making their duties more like a home inspector’s, many predicted increased liability exposure for appraisers and a flood of lawsuits. This is one appraiser’s story. As it takes a few years for problems to surface and...…
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How to Reach Your Potential (Using Acrobat) By Pat Butler Adobe Acrobat is a very powerful program, yet most appraisers and inspectors use only a fraction of its capabilities. This story introduces you to several features that I find useful in my appraisal business. Some are advanced and some require additional software. You’ll find the...…
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Consent Orders: Signing Away Your Rights? By Diana Jacob, MSA These days, appraisers facing a disciplinary complaint from their state board are often presented with several options to clear the case. Be careful how you choose – the consequences can be long term and unpleasant. Once a complaint is filed, state appraisal boards typically review...…
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Title XI FIRREA: Finding the Framer’s Intent Buying a Lake in Arizona According to Doug Barnard, Title XI and appraiser licensing were a direct result of the savings and loan bailout in the early 1980s that cost taxpayers over $3 billion. The Subcommittee of Government Operations, Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs held hearings all across...…
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