Monthly Archive: February 2013

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How accurate is Zillow “Zestimate”?

Have you ever wondered how accurate the Zillow “Zestimate” really is? In this video, Tom Horn explains how to determine the accuracy of Zillow in an area. Zillow has gone back in time to compare their historic Zestimate with what the property actually sold for. They claim that their “estimated market value” is not an appraisal, but in reality an estimate of market value is an appraisal, but it’s one that cannot be used by a bank and one that you may want to think twice about before using to determine a sales price for your home. They provide a...

Snippets

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ASB Releases Exposure Drafts for AO-13 & AO-21

The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) has issued the following exposure drafts: Exposure Draft of Proposed Changes to ADVISORY OPINION 13 (AO-13), Performing Evaluations of Real Property Collateral to Conform with USPAP Rationale: The prior version of Advisory Opinion 13 included not only advice related to USPAP, but also some interpretations of the Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines.  The Interagency Work Group has suggested, and the ASB agrees, that AO-13 should focus on the application of USPAP and avoid interpretation of the guidelines. When  an  individual  is  acting  as  an  appraiser,  USPAP  applies. The  proposed  replacement Advisory Opinion 13 illustrates that under...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News / ASB / The Appraisal Standards Board

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E&O & Claims Issues for Today’s Appraiser

The significant increase in insurance claims and disciplinary complaints against appraisers over the last few years is directly related to the foreclosure phenomenon and subsequent pattern of appraisal reviews performed during the last decade. The validity of both the process and results of these forensic reviews may have little relationship to the subsequent actions by those seeking the deep pockets of the appraiser and their insurance carriers to recover monies lost in bad loans. This trend shows no sign of diminishing. It remains incumbent upon appraisers to understand their errors and omissions insurance policies, any available risk management services available...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / E&O / Errors & Omissions / Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

ASC letter RE Launch of the 1

ASC Letter RE Launch of the Hotline

ASC Letter to State Appraiser Regulatory Officials Announcing the Launch of the Appraisal Complaint National Hotline To State Appraiser Regulatory Officials The Appraisal Complaint National Hotline (Hotline) will begin operation no later than March 29, 2013. The Hotline will refer complainants to appropriate State and/or Federal agencies to handle complaints of alleged violations of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and/or appraisal independence requirements. The Hotline will direct complainants to contact you to formally file their complaint using the existing protocols established by your State. The Hotline does not initiate complaints, act on behalf of complainants, arbitrate complaints,...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Subcommittee / Appraisers News / ASC / Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

NAHB Recommends Reform of Residential Appraisal System 2

NAHB Recommends Reform of Residential Appraisal System

February 20, 2013 – Serious problems in the residential appraisal process must be addressed in order to restore confidence in the residential real estate market and to establish a foundation for sustainable growth of the U.S. economy, according to a new white paper from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Appraisals are regulated by the states, so standards and requirements vary greatly, resulting in a system that is inconsistent, confusing and does not serve consumers well. The white paper, “Comprehensive Blueprint for Residential Appraisal Reform,” addresses these problems. It is the work of an Appraisal Working Group formed by...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / NAHB / National Association of Home Builders

ASC letter RE Launch of the 0

Appraisal Hotline Operations Details

Appraisal Institute Wants Details on Appraisal Hotline Operations The Appraisal Institute and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers jointly sent a letter Feb. 12 to the Appraisal Subcommittee asking that it make its proposed protocol for operating the “appraisal hotline” available for public comment prior to its March 29 implementation. In the letter, AI and ASFMRA said that while the concept of a hotline is sound, there exists almost no understanding among state appraiser regulatory officials, practicing appraisers and real estate and mortgage professionals as to how the hotline would function or even of its intended purpose....

AI / American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations

Rules making difficult to become a state certified appraiser 5

How to Make a Profession Disappear

…You can see how difficult to become a state certified appraiser. We are fairly near the end of the continuing education cycle for appraisers in my home state of Pennsylvania. Among other topics, I’ve been presenting changes to laws and regulations, which include the new Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) standards that go into effect in January 2015. You can find the regulations here. The overwhelming response from existing appraisers is: “Do they just want to make us go away?” The new requirements will include a bachelor’s degree, as well as — in most states — 2,000 hours of experience under...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

PowerLink Settlement Services Closing 3

PowerLink Settlement Services Closing

Another AMC Closing Down: PowerLink Settlement Services This information was passed along by Washington State Appraiser and Educator, Dave Towne. An AMC called PowerLink Settlement Services is expected to close down by the end of April per letter to their vendor appraisers. “Appraisers, Another AMC bites the dust, or will, by the end of April, per their letter sent to their vendor appraisers. They expect the volume of orders to taper off during March and April: PowerLink Settlement Services (and affiliates) Coraopolis, PA” The letter does indicate appraisers will be paid as long as invoices are properly submitted. It’s nice,...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / PowerLink Settlement Services

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Read That Agreement Before You Sign or Leap

Having the most unfair agreement will cause the lender or AMC to lose those appraisers I recently ran across the provision below in a new contractor agreement between an AMC and its panel appraisers, when one of LIA’s insured appraisers asked me to take a look at the agreement. The contract contained the average indemnification provision found in most unfair AMC contracts in which an appraiser promises to defend and reimburse the AMC for “any and all liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including all legal fees) arising out of or relating to any claim, action, suit, complaint, liability, damage, or other...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / CFPB

Appraisal Complaint Hotline Usage 0

Appraisal Complaint Hotline Usage

Four Reasons Why ASA & NAIFA Urge Appraisal Subcommittee to Delay Rollout of National Appraisal Complaint Hotline On February 6 ASA, along with the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA), sent a letter to the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) urging them to delay the planned March 29th implementation of the national appraisal complaint hotline, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In pushing for the delay, ASA and NAIFA pointed to several issues regarding the hotline’s formation: That the appraisal complaint hotline was created in a closed process, without adequate stakeholder exposure or input; The hotline, as proposed, violates Congress’s intent...

American Society of Appraisers / Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisal Subcommittee / Appraisers News

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