In reading the lawsuit, I think the plaintiff is incorrect. She clearly had an FHA appraisal and needed a reinspection. Appraiser received $400 for the appraisal and $145 for the final inspection. AMC retained $175 for the appraisal and $30 for the final inspection. Seems reasonable given the costs of an AMC.

I too immediately decline with the 30 page instructions. Too much to wade through. 1-2 pages or keep it moving

AMC’s never die – they just change their name

As you said, another CoreLogic acquisition. Now they are changing their name to Coretel(?) – probably because CoreLogic leaves a bad taste for many. I was shocked when Dave sold out, and very dissapointed. Wish they hadn’t as it’s gone downhill from there. Wow, I’ve never viewed that list – not even sure I want to.

I certainly see the term Master Bedroom/Bath on plans – again, the whole thing is stupid.

I have had to put a special comment on my appraisal addendum lately that roughly states – any bias terminology relates only to real estate descriptive terms, such as “legal or illegal” zoning, stainless vs black appliances, average vs good condition, etc., etc. I don’t do a lot of AMC work, but guess who is the most uptight about such terms, or “master” bedroom. I recently completed a non-UAD report on a manufactured home – good, average, etc., with a list of flagged biased terms about 20 deep. The whole thing has gone beyond rediculous, and another 30-45 minutes for each report just to check everything.

When it comes to the appraisal software, simply turn this irrelevant waste of time feature off. When it comes to underwriting and lenders, write the reports as you see fit, then push back or replace clients as necessary if they bully you around like some jr word police squad. Many clients do not take issue with statements like master bedroom with accompanying on suite five piece bath, I use this in my sketches all the time, never stopped. The appraiser proves their competence by being able to relay market data in a similar manner as a wide variety of other market participants, being relatable to buyers, sellers, agents, builders, lenders, lawyers, other appraisers, possibly even government agencies and other special purpose users.

As far as the written language within the report that automatic software can scroll through to flag certain words. Most of the language in question has never been that relevant to appraisal reporting in the first place. The same routine, define the market, the smaller segment the subject home is a part of, supply demand balance, exposure time, strength or weakness of market based on trending, dom’s, concessions, price negotiations, and notes of changing lending conditions or longer term stability or instability of the local housing market.

When appraisers get good at these relevant reporting points, they might just find an unexpected benefit, they really are quite competent at analyzing housing markets, and they don’t really need any paid for ancillary software or comps sharing to help them define accurate adjustments and individual selections for the grid. If one is good at analyzing the market, the ancillary optional software can become as irrelevant as the language which is not pertaining directly to the appraisers primary task of analyzing the market and defining a reasonable value or value range for a subject property. Additional but still ethical and competent side steps may include abbreviations. Saves you time anyways. Mstr Bdrm w/ 5pc onsuite b.

That was fun. Your real question is why are the natives going bananas over normal language use. We’re not sure they even understand why they’re taking such a position. Except for the peer pressure of woke ideology, always looking for a new struggle session situation to prove their worth to the party. Nobody really knows… Appraisal modernization.

Mercury does not keep up with anything. Many years back they watered down the customer retention position which was meant for lenders. They put this strange unprofessional guy with colored hair and face piercings in the position, as if they wanted lenders to leave. My clients list is littered with probably 75% or higher rate of companies which no longer even use Mercury network. I wished more lenders would use Mercury but whatever, they don’t. Another corelogic company. They are dead set on promoting amc’s because they get to double dip on the per diem service fees.

For bidding, I selected the ‘do not accept bid assignments’ option years ago. This kept me from getting try out orders and it prohibits me from helping my own clients if they have tough to assign orders that go to bid, but at least stopped all the amc blind bidding. Because what the amc’s do is spam the entire available vendors list indiscriminately even though that list is supposed to be for adding removing panel appraisers. But when you go officially on panel with a company, you can set them to max 1 year vacation even though you’re still available to other clients.

Mercury has many many available tools to help appraisers. They refuse to implement them. Dave Biggers most egregious mistake; selling out. The entire industry could have made it through if only he would not have sold. What an incredible betrayal of trust and he promised everyone such a thing would not happen for years and years. I suspect he was either blackmailed or strong armed into selling.

Thanks for the info. I guess the only appraisers getting much work now are those doing blind bids and giving the AMC what they want. I simply go around Mercury and call the lenders directly to ascertain what I need prior to bidding. I’ve found that if I ask a question through the “message” portal, I rarely get an answer and mostly the bid is simply pulled. On rural appraisals, especially new builds where there’s little or nothing in MLS or the tax records, they refuse to answer even the simplest questions. The builder package is typically so minimal that I’ll end up spending anywhere from a day to a week trying to ascertain what I’m even supposed to be appraising. Yeah, now that the AMC’s are using Mercury, even that is ruined. It’s become little more than a joke.

Mercury was originally designed by Dave Biggers whom at the time was the appraisal industries best advocate for fair process. He created Mercury as a way for lenders to avoid using amc’s. He published for one or two years a median fee survey report for local fees which did not include amc data. (prior to the cfpb C&R incorrect rule interpretation which gave amc’s a free pass.) Then Corelogic stepped in bought Mercury, then Alamode, then Scope, the Marshall & Swift, and many others. Mercury refuses to give simple options to appraisers such as do or do not accept amc orders for well over a decade now and instead promotes amc’s. They used to share lists of lenders whom used Mercury network but as a csr explained to me; those lenders were inundated with appraiser panel applicants whom hoped to avoid dealing with amc’s, and in unison demanded Mercury stopped sharing this data with appraisers, as they all had more appraiser panel members then they needed. Around that time even more appraisers refused GSE service as there was no simple way to avoid amc’s and marketing to lenders resulted in an over 85% rate of being redirected to amc’s. Eventually the systems meant to be of service for appraisers business success were all bought out or co opted by the amc industry.

Here is a fun game to play; Set your fees on Mercury and Scope to $1 for everything… See how many predatory amc companies suddenly add you to their approved appraiser panel list.

Here is a view of Mercury from the other side. Your performance ratings are shared with prospective clients whom have never worked with you before. So whenever an amc sacks your ratings, the Mercury program functions somewhat similar to a shared blacklist, and you’re less likely to get picked up by new or substitute clients. ‘Appraiser independence!’ One big restriction of trade racket. Play ball or get benched. My suspicion is that Mercury turns on additional vendor stats sharings such as turn times for premium Mercury VIP members. Allowing even better sorting out of appraisers whom are not discounting for amc volume.

We have corrupt “gold diggers” from both sides of the political parties, but as a conservative, I hope there are fewer on the right, lol. Perhaps or perhaps not, but I have no problem with DOGE weeding them all out. I would, however, like to see some arrests or consequences – from either party. I wish they’d come to CO and clean house.

I’ve had so many “cancellation” notices, I’ve lost count. AMCs are just a crooked racket, IMO. Another note is the number of agents/homeowners who state – you mean they’ve just now ordered it? It was requested 2-3 weeks ago. Puts a lot of pressure on us then – low fee plus “rush” jobs.

Mr. or Mrs. Pray Hard, As the old saying goes … winning an argument with a smart person is hard. Wining an argument with a stupid person is damn near impossible. You fit the second scenario. Peace.

Mr. or Mrs. Pray Hard, As the old saying goes … winning an argument with a smart person is hard. Wining an argument with a stupid person is damn near impossible.

Mr. or Mrs. Pray Hard, A lot to unpack there … mostly I feel sorry for you to a certain extent … but not much, as it is clear you are part of the problem / cult. But just to answer your question, the reason I put “Mr.” in front of my name, is that there are many women that share the same first name … sort of like “Chris” or “Baily”, etc. I simply add this (Mr.) for clarification purposes. I’m sorry you are so miserable. Have a beer and relax … as long as you are not an angry drunk … which I suspect you are.

“Who cares about the buyer, broker, seller, etc., as long as we don’t have to pay that appraiser five dollars that we can snatch” …

Is that a little better?