I am ‘concerned’ whenever I see adds for pictures takers; report writing services, reconciliation services, or appraisal work where an appraiser is ‘expected’ to appraise two or three subject properties per day, plus see all comparable sales.

We’ve all either known or heard of people that use these shortcuts. Unless the product being offered is an appraiser assisted AVM or similar restricted scope appraisal with boilerplate that clearly and unambiguously says the signing appraiser DID NOT inspect (not, “may not have inspected”), I tend to assume the worst is really happening.

In my opinion, THIS is why we still see AMCs and lenders thinking they can get USPAP compliant appraisal reports back in 48 hours that only cost them $300. It is also one of the reasons we will not see meaningful fee increases commensurate with the time required to provide professional work in the near future UNLESS we put an end to it.

I am tired of COMPLEX FNMA work ROUTINELY beyond the basic license levels of appraisers being farmed out for discounted fees. Worse, is when this kind of work is sent to novices barely licensed.

However, when the discussion moves to the certifications (2 and 3), it suggests that the unlicensed assistant is DOING the inspection(s), which clearly conflicts with those URAR certifications and would obviously not be OK.

Unless the licensed appraiser viewed the neighborhood and comparables, but did not take pictures at the time. Maybe his camera broke so he viewed the neighborhood and comps while he was in the area, then sent his assistant back out to take the photos? Perhaps legitimate, but I bet it would be a hard sell to the client.