Its not angst Dave. Its further reducing the credibility of USPAP AND TAF as well as damaging the reputation of appraisers across America. AGA sent a lengthy letter expressing concerns.

The only real change needed to USPAP is to STOP CHANGING it! If they absolutely cannot resist the impulse, then make ONE last change to the newest version definitions:

DEFINE the term “Promote public trust.” Acceptable alternates are Protect Public Trust; or Preserve Public Trust (for those with a sense of humor). Dont tell us how you (TAF) purport to be doing this. Tell us instead what you think it means because your actions achieve just the opposite.

IF TAF were actually promoting/protecting/preserving public trust, then there would be no companies like Zilow; CoreLogicAVMs, Clarocity hybrids, Upraze.com; or any of the other numerous frauds being perpetrated on American consumers as to what an appraisal is and is not.

By eliminating defined appraisal types TAF (& therefore USPAP) remove the very few remaining protections American consumers still have with respect to credible valuation sources.

Have you seen this new ‘virtual staging’ in realty listing photos? They’ve got computer geeks adding in virtual beds, virtual flower pots, virtual pictures on the wall. What a waste of time, people should be shown the home as is, not imaginary versions of it with photoshop touch ups. Who knows what else these guys are digitally touching up, if these units actually had appliances included, damages, scuffs, etc. With these advancements in technological practices that can so easily be used to deceive and conceal, it’s more important than ever to have an experienced licensed appraiser personally inspect these units. Will someone please tell these supposed professional photographers we need photos of the utility room and the rear of the home. Agents should learn to use cameras themselves, it’s not rocket science.