by AppraisersBlogs · Published March 31, 2014 · Last modified January 26, 2019
A common misconception of Fannie Mae’s Appraiser Independence Requirements (AIR) is that lenders are required to use third-party vendors or appraisal management companies (AMCs) to ensure compliance. In fact, lenders are not required to use an AMC or any other third-party vendor to order appraisals…
by Dustin Harris · Published March 27, 2014 · Last modified March 6, 2017
What Does the Missing Malaysian Jet have to do with Appraising? I find it fascinating that a jet full of passengers can just disappear. As time passes, it is becoming more and more evident that this is not going to end well. What is interesting to me, however, is the media coverage of the event. Everyone seems to have a theory as to what happened (including one ‘reporter’ speculating that a black hole might have sucked them up). The problem? Most of these theories are based on no more than a hunch. There is little to no evidence supporting most...
by IDFPR Board · Published March 21, 2014 · Last modified March 6, 2017
The most critical failure found in appraisal reports that come before the Board, whether residential, commercial, or agricultural, is a lack of analysis. Appraisers seem to think that citing or reporting is synonymous with analysis. Analysis – to study (something) closely and carefully: to learn the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by a close and careful examination. The URAR asks: I did or did not analyze the contract for sale for the subject purchase transaction. Explain the results of the analysis of the contract for sale or why the analysis was not performed. Yet many will write:...
by VaCAP Board · Published January 24, 2014 · Last modified August 18, 2020
New Fannie Mae Lender Letter I get it, appraising, especially residential-mortgage-use appraising, can be a thankless job. If you understand all that goes into properly developed reporting, it is hard to compete with the appraisers that perform poor due diligence and in turn, charge much less than the rest of us. They are great at checking boxes and making minimal commentary. They are rewarded for cutting corners, and appraisers that do the quality work are left at the margins. The new Fannie Mae Lender Letter may be a step in changing this. Our costs to keep our licenses with the continuing education, the...
by Dustin Harris · Published January 9, 2014 · Last modified June 5, 2018
I have been giving a value range…for many years… By making the choice to do lender work, we also make the choice to accept some pretty ridiculous stipulations. “When you pick up one end of the stick, you also pick up the other,” my dad used to teach me. One of those requirements that have been around as long as I can remember is that an appraisal value must be reported as a single dollar amount. This, I believe, is a mistake. By definition, market value is “The most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and...
by AppraisersBlogs · Published October 17, 2013 · Last modified March 29, 2016
I wish I never took that assignment One comment often encountered when investigating a complaint is “I wish I never took that assignment”. Another is “I should have walked away when I saw the property.” How can you avoid that uneasy feeling when completing an assignment? If this is a typical residential mortgage transaction, things may go fairly smoothly. If the assignment involves appraising a property in a divorce, estate, tax appeal, or anything that might end up in litigation, you should meet with your client to assess whether there could be trouble ahead. One way to avoid this type of surprise is to not consider assignments as being routine. Each assignment regardless of purpose or intent has...
by AppraisersBlogs · Published March 18, 2013 · Last modified April 17, 2024
Revisiting The Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac 2005 URAR Form Ambiguities and Liabilities It has been eight years since the URAR form was revised. From 2005 to mid-2008, the real estate market experienced a boom and a bust the likes of which we have never seen before, and we are finally seeing a slow recovery. Also during this period, the economic recession and poor lending practices lead to new regulations in both the appraisal and banking industries. Based on the new regulations, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac mandated appraisers to add more information to the URAR form. As of March 2009, the Market Conditions...
by AppraisersBlogs · Published March 8, 2013 · Last modified December 20, 2021
How a Few Key Items in your Work File Can Protect You in Court I used to work with someone who had a photographic memory. Most of us are not so lucky, and have to rely on our imperfect memories and good note-taking skills. As an attorney, I document everything. I handle hundreds of cases, and without good documentation I will not remember what I did on a particular day or what support I had for a particular theory. As an appraiser, your work file is your documentation. Not only is a work file a USPAP requirement1, it can help...
by Guest Author · Published February 26, 2013 · Last modified October 26, 2022
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...
by AppraisersBlogs · Published February 14, 2013 · Last modified May 22, 2022
New Guidance Helps Appraisers Analyze Exposure Time The Appraisal Institute published “Guide Note 14: Concept of Exposure Time” Feb. 12 to help appraisers understand exposure time and how to incorporate its analysis into appraisals. The guidance addresses how appraisers should link exposure time, which refers to the time a property remains on the market, to their value opinion and comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. The Guide Note states, “An analysis and opinion of Exposure Time is required for appraisals where the definition of value is tied to a reasonable or stipulated exposure time. A discussion of...
Sign the Open Letter to AMCs. The goal is to raise much needed awareness and support to change the broken AMC model within our industry.
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