Category: Appraisal Institute

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Appraisal Guidelines

In the August edition of the AppraisalPort Newsletter, I reported on some of the general information covered at the National AI Connect Conference in Indianapolis, July 23-25, 2013. This was a great conference, covering a wide range of topics. This month, I want to pass on some information covered in one of the breakout sessions for residential appraisers. The session was titled, “Residential Chief Policy Roundtable” and included presentations from Fannie Mae’s Robert Murphy, the Appraisal Institute’s Bill Garber, HUD’s Ada Bohorfoush, and the VA’s Gerald Kifer. At Fannie Mae, Murphy handles many of the issues regarding appraisers and the...

Appraisers Expect Continued Growth 2

Appraisers Expect Continued Growth

Appraisers Expect Continued Growth: Appraisal Institute Survey CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire: Appraisers anticipate continued growth in mortgage lending appraisals and in specialized areas of consulting, according to a recent survey conducted by the Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers. Commercial appraisers said the top five areas of growth in the next one to two years (in order of potential) are mortgage lending appraisals, land valuation, litigation valuation/forensic appraisal, real estate consulting (fee-based) and right-of-way/easements. Residential appraisers said the top five areas of growth are mortgage lending appraisals, review appraisal services, real estate owned/foreclosures/short sales,...

Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines in Mortgage Fraud Cases 2

Appraisal Fraud – Stay Vigilant

Remaining Vigilant Against Appraisal Fraud While recent studies show that appraisal fraud is on the decline, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers still cautions lenders and other real estate industry professionals to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. According to CoreLogic’s Second Quarter Mortgage Fraud Report, the risk of mortgage fraud decreased during the second quarter with valuation fraud showing the biggest improvement, falling 7.1 percent between the first and second quarters of the year. However, fraud has escalated in cases where potential borrowers attempt to deceive lenders about their incomes. The report showed that an...

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Mortgage Takings: The Next Appraisal Frontier or Liability?

According to the Appraisal Institute’s recently published 2013 Real Estate Appraisal Outlook, U.S. appraisers anticipate that litigation valuation/forensic appraisals will be one of the top five areas of growth in the next one to two years in both commercial and residential appraisal.  Indeed, approximately 33% of surveyed commercial appraisers anticipate more demand from law firms and lawyers in the near future, with 24% of those surveyed expecting an increase in valuation consultation and studies in support of litigation.  The appraisers’ prediction may be spot on the money as at least one U.S. municipality has begun to implement a plan to...

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How to Identify a Bubble or Bust Housing Market

Bubble or bust? The nation’s home prices continue to climb, with some cities posting double-digit annual growth rates during 2012–13. While the continued economic recovery seems to trend in a positive direction, consumers, appraisers and other market participants should be on high alert for red flags that could signal the possibility of another housing bubble in the near future. How can appraisers tell if the current housing market is “bubble” or “bust”? Here is some guidance from the Appraisal Institute’s “Guide Note 12: Analyzing Market Trends.” Appraisers should be able to spot the symptoms of a changing market. Appraisers and...

Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow - Disservice to the profession 6

“Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow” Shocking News?

“Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow” This is ‘Shocking News?’ According to a recent survey conducted by the Appraisal Institute, “trainee hiring will remain relatively weak for the next one- to two-years.” Um, I hate to disagree with the results of what I am sure is a credible survey, but this is just a gross underestimation. One-to two-years? How about FOREVER unless something drastically changes in our industry? Most know me as a fairly optimistic voice in the appraisal world. I am not usually one of those on the sidelines calling “foul” at every supposed indiscretion and ‘unfair’ practice that...

Appraisal Institute Urges ASB to Make USPAP More Flexible 0

ASB Urged to Make USPAP More Flexible

The Appraisal Institute Urges ASB to Make Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice More Flexible The Appraisal Institute announced Aug. 16 that it has asked the Appraisal Standards Board to institute a principles-based approach to appraisal standards that would, over time, require fewer changes to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and enhance understanding of the document. Representatives of AI attended a public ASB meeting in July, during which Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, chair of AI’s Appraisal Standards and Guidance Committee, urged the ASB to: Modify USPAP to be “principles-based” and not “rules-based,” as it has become over time;...

BPO bill consumer confusion 0

NJ Governor Vetoes BPO Cites Consumer Confusion

NJ Governor Vetoes BPO Legislation, Cites Consumer Confusion On Aug. 19, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed bill S. 2551, legislation that would have significantly expanded the ability of the state’s real estate professionals to provide broker price opinion and comparative market analysis services. In his veto message to the Legislature, Christie said, “While I appreciate the desire to facilitate additional business for real estate licensees in the state of New Jersey, I am concerned about potential consumer confusion.” The Appraisal Institute chapters in New Jersey testified in strong opposition to this bill when it was going through the legislative...

Appraiser Trainees Hiring to Remain Weak: AI Survey 3

Trainees Hiring to Remain Weak

Appraiser Trainees Hiring to Remain Weak: AI Survey Hiring of real estate appraiser trainees will remain weak for the next one to two years, according to an Appraisal Institute survey released July 17. About one-fifth (21 percent) of commercial appraisers said they would add full-time trainees; fewer than one-tenth (9 percent) of residential appraisers said they would do so, according to the survey of U.S. real estate valuation professionals conducted in May and June. Commercial appraisers account for less than one-third of practicing U.S. appraisers. According to the survey, 93 percent of the residential appraisers who employ trainees employ one...

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Appraiser Confidentiality: USPAP Absurdity

Appraiser Confidentiality: Loose Lips, Big Claims, USPAP Absurdity, and Subpoenas Allegedly “Loose Lips” Cause a Big Claim. A recent and relatively big appraiser liability claim involved a commercial appraiser’s alleged breach of confidentiality.  The damages paid to the plaintiff were significant.  According to the plaintiff’s complaint (my recounting of the facts here is simplified), a lender had engaged the appraiser to perform an appraisal for a construction loan to the developer of a shopping center.  Some of the information received by the appraiser included lease commitments from prospective tenants. The anchor tenant was a well-known retailer.  The appraiser completed the assignment, but...

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