Dave Biggers, You Owe Me an Apology
Normally, I like Dave Biggers.
I think a la mode — like other appraisal software companies — has always been (and will likely always be) an advocate for appraisers. I am not saying any of that has changed, but I feel like Mr. Biggers owes me, and all appraisers, an apology.
Ever since I first heard of Collateral Underwriting (CU), I have been a bit — and at times, much — overwhelmed at what it might mean to me and my peers. Frankly, there have been times that I have been downright scared of what CU might do to my thriving appraisal business. Don’t get me wrong, I think I run a tight ship and am proud of the quality of my appraisals. However, I work a very rural market and providing iron-clad support for adjustments is not always possible. Let’s just say, the horror stories I have been hearing about paired-sales and regression tools has caused me a little bit of anxiety. The only solace I have had is learning that Fannie Mae will be looking to my peers for adjustment models. I am pretty sure my peers will have no easier time providing rock-solid adjustment evidence than do I.
This is where Dave comes in. Yesterday, I read the following open letter from him to appraisers:
Can I just say, this is the first thing I have read about CU that has made me shout for joy? It was a little embarrassing as I read it while I was sitting in a church meeting. The other parishioners must have thought I had a Day of Pentecost moment, but no, I was just happy to read what Mr. Biggers had to say about the upcoming CU and the approach we, as appraisers, ought to take with it.
So why am I calling on him to make a formal apology? Just that it did not come sooner. Dave, you could have saved me a lot of heartache over the past few weeks if you had just told me to cool my heels much sooner than you actually did.
I hope you all caught my sarcasm and I want nothing more than to thank Dave Biggers for an excellent perspective on a complicated issue. I hope his optimism plays out in reality. Thanks again for supporting appraisers, Dave!
Dustin Harris, Creating ‘Value’ for Real Estate Appraisers
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Dustin, I soooo agree with you! I climbed down off the ceiling after readings Dave’s post. Thank you
You should join some appraiser forums. Among all the chicken little’s out there were appraisers stating (my self included) not to worry about CU.
Regardless of the action taken by Dave Biggers or anyone else, it simply isn’t worth it guys. The sky has been falling for six long years with a massive meteor strike predicted on January 26, 2015. Obtaining a combination JD/MBA degree would require less effort than keeping up with and meeting the ever changing demands being placed on the lowly residential appraiser.