By: Frustrated Appraiser

Frustrated Appraiser — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:12:21 +0000

Cop outs by many appraisers. Appraisers CAN speak to someone other than the client, however cannot disclose confidential information (or value). Often times, it can be simple questions of clarification: Easy Example: Mr/Ms Appraiser I have 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths but you only counted 3 beds and 2.5 baths. Well, the other two are in the basement. If you look at the grid section of the appraisal, you will see below the room count, the basements bedrooms/bath were taken into account there, as was done on the comparable sales too. Basement is below grade, and therefore the rooms are not counted in the above grade square footage. Simple responses and explanations can set their minds at ease, and lessen the reason for state complaints. If their questions pertain to confidential info/value, you can explain WHY we cannot discuss, by law, we can only discuss those items with our client, or with their express written permission we can discuss with others.

By: Dustin Harris

Dustin Harris — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 03:10:34 +0000

Wow. Well written article and something we all should be thinking about in our own practices. Here is how we handle this problem at my office; Gate Keepers. I hire well-trained, smart, and very nice receptionists to answer my phones. When a borrower or party other than the client calls to talk to the appraiser, my wonderful staff explains to them in a very nice and professional manner that “Dustin would LOVE to talk to you,” but he must have permission from the client to do so per the law.” This way, they are still treated like human beings, they do not think I am blowing them off, and they are given a path to follow next. If the client does not give that permission (which they often do not), it was the client’s bad, not the appraiser’s. Again, the appraiser WANTED to talk to them. So far (knock on wood) it has kept me from any lawsuits or other painful problems.

Comments on: Appraiser Confidentiality vs Common Courtesy

By: Frustrated Appraiser

By: Dustin Harris