The only celebrity home I was asked to appraise was that of Tubby Smith (prior to his being fired by the University Of Kentucky).  My immediate thoughts:  Who needs a pit bull when you’re married to one?

Mrs. Smith was notified well in advance by the bank that I was coming over.  I parked in front of the home in a Mercedes to provide additional comfort to the homeowners.  When I arrived at the door Mrs. Smith asked to see a copy of my license (a first in 15 years).  I pulled out my driver’s license to show her and she immediately bellowed, “YOUR APPRAISERS LICENSE”.  I explained to her that I’ve been appraising for 15 years and didn’t carry a copy of my appraiser’s license with me.  She then snatched my driver’s license from my hand, called her attorney and then began asking him to do a background check on me.  I spent a minute or two evaluating the situation and weighing my whopping $400 fee against the prospect of being trapped and interrogated by a wild boar while measuring her mega mansion. It wasn’t a difficult decision; I asked for my license back and told her that I was probably the wrong appraiser for this high security assignment.  As I walked away from the home she screamed at me, “OK OK YOU CAN COME IN”.  I continued to walk to my car and left the property watching the woman waving her arms in my rear view mirror.

In hindsight, it was one of the best split second decisions that I made in a 20 year career. I have appraised scores of homes that made hers look like a match box and never uttered a word about the experience because they were gracious people. I have no regret in telling this story to people because it was the ultimate example of how not to treat people who are there to serve you.

For the record, I have no problem with Tubby, only his crazy wife.

a few years ago i had an old nasty neighbor being a total a-hole, and he would not leave me alone. he told me he was part of the “Neighborhood Watch” program. i could not get the guy off my back, so i decided to have a little fun with him.

him – “who are you?”

me – “i am with the bank”.

him – “do you know who are the new owners are?”

me – “yeah, i heard the new owner is the lead singer for a punk rock band called The Bloody Puppies”.

after all this time, i can still clearly see the look on his face.

LOL

the bleeding continues . . . . .

Bubba Jay, You are right. Long ago I used to tell them I am an appraiser doing some work for the owner (pre USPAP). It inevitably lead to the “Are they selling their house? What’s it worth? What’s mine worth” kind of questions. I’d always have to then say, I cant discuss that with you or some variation. As long as I may have to alienate them anyway, its just easier and (IMHO) more compliant to do as you say. “I’m doing a job for the owner.”

In some neighborhoods, When approached by people on the street -really “iffy” areas, then Id say Im working for the county or Section 8. I don’t like subterfuge but I also am not about to get shot by some gangbanger because they think Im a threat to their drug dealing, or “dissing’ them.

I’ve only had the police called on me once. Get followed more often than people calling the cops. My favorite was doing an assignment for a famous nationally known ethnically restricted religious oriented organization with a reputation for ‘cleaning up’ areas and having some very tough bodyguards for its leaders. It was in a very bad neighborhood. The Minister sent three of his bodyguards to walk with me around the block and through the alley to the rear of the commercial property. People hanging out in the alley got up and walked away BEFORE we got near them, and people in front of the building made sure to greet the bodyguards (and the Minister since he went with us in front) VERY respectfully. It was a real l eye opening experience, I felt safer then than I ever had in that particular neighborhood before. OK, sorry-got off track.

i wish i had a dime for every time a nosey neighbor called the cops on me.  hahahahaha. but hey, as far as i am concerned, i am not on their property, and therefore its none of their business, whether i am violating USCRAP or not..

the bleeding continues . . . . .

“No.” It is not ok to tell anyone whose property you appraised without that owners specific permission to do so. That is NOT public information, It IS non public personal information of a confidential nature.

Whether or not a person is a celebrity isn’t the issue. The standards that you and I operate under are. Neither of our USPAP versions say it is ok to violate the confidentiality clause when the client is a celebrity. AT some point in almost all our careers we will do an appraisal for a senator; political candidate, movie star, television producer, etc..

Hopefully we will all respect their right to personal privacy; but for those that wouldn’t, then hopefully they will follow USPAP.

Argue about USPAP, but if you are naming names, I don’t think your client will be happy.