Author: AppraisersBlogs

January 22, 2013

Final Rule on Appraisals for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans

Agencies Issue Final Rule on Appraisals for higher-priced Mortgage Loans Washington, D.C. – Six federal financial regulatory agencies today issued the final rule that establishes new appraisal requirements for “higher-priced mortgage loans.” The rule implements amendments to the Truth in Lending Act made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). Under the Dodd-Frank Act, mortgage loans are higher-priced if they are secured by a consumer’s home and have interest rates above certain thresholds. For higher-priced mortgage loans, the rule requires creditors to use a licensed or certified appraiser who prepares a written appraisal...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / CFPB / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau / Dodd-Frank Act / C&R Fees

January 21, 2013

Ann O’Rourke Launches Appraisal Today Blog

Ann O’Rourke, MAI, SRA, MBA, Appraiser and Publisher of Appraisal Today newsletter, recently launched the Appraisal Today Blog. In an email to her subscribers, she writes: I have been wanting a place where readers can post comments for quite a while. Several years ago I tried using wordpress. But, my newsletter web site and wordpress were hosted on a shared server with my ISP, and I had lots of problems – hundreds of spams, very slow connection, etc. So I gave up until now and use wordpress.com to host my blog. WordPress is not easy but is very flexible, and...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News

January 16, 2013

CoesterVMS Flat Fee Appraisal Structure Controversy

Lately, there has been some controversy surrounding the announcement of CoesterVMS implementation of a flat fee appraisal structure which went into effect on January 1. The announcement appeared on CoesterVMS Blog on January 7: CoesterVMS, a nationwide appraisal management company, has implemented the appraisal industry’s first ever flat fee model for residential appraisals. Under the flat fee model, which took effect on January 1, 2013, all conventional appraisals for mortgage lenders are priced at $450 while FHA appraisals are $475*. Customarily, appraisal management companies utilize a tiered fee structure, whereby prices are determined based on the property type or the...

AI / AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News

January 16, 2013

Solidifi & Kirchmeyer Join Forces

Solidifi and Kirchmeyer complete deal positioning Solidifi as 3rd largest independent provider of residential real estate appraisals Companies consolidate offices in Buffalo, New York Solidifi Inc., Buffalo, New York, January 7, 2013 — Solidifi and Kirchmeyer, two leading independent real estate appraisal management companies, have joined forces in a deal that will see Solidifi become the third largest independent provider of residential real estate appraisals in the country. The company is a trusted, well-capitalized alternative to traditional appraisal management companies servicing more than 50% of the nation’s top lenders. “Following a $22 million financing in 2012, Solidifi is in growth...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Solidifi

Petition Concerning the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence

January 11, 2013

Petition RE the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence

The National Association of Independent Housing Professionals (NAIHP) led by Marc Savitt is petitioning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and is asking those harmed by the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence to sign and forward the online petition. To Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Richard Cordreay, CFPB Director: Allow NMLS loan originators to order appraisals directly from appraisers Consumers and small business are being significantly harmed by the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence. Consumer costs have increased by over 2.8 Billion dollars a year; thousands of small business residential appraisers have gone out of business, as the rule diverts...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / CFPB

January 7, 2013

Free FHA Webinar for Appraisers on Property & Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a webinar on January 22, 2013 on Property & Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): January 22, 2013: – Webinar: Property & Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This FREE introductory webinar addresses the most common questions FHA receives from underwriters and appraisers on single-family property-related issues. The topics covered include: flipping, appraisal validity period,

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Federal Housing Administration / FHA / HUD

January 4, 2013

ASA, NAIFA File Comments Regarding Appraisal Complaint Hotline

The establishment of an appraisal complaint hotline… The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) appreciate the opportunity to jointly comment on the Paperwork Reduction Act implications of the establishment of the Appraisal Complaint Hotline system mandated by section 1473 of Dodd-Frank. Although we understand that the public will have an opportunity to comment on the appraisal complaint form itself when it is proposed (described as “the Interagency Appraisal Complaint Form”), we believe the agencies’ October 22nd Federal Register request for comment provides our organizations (and other stakeholders) with an important opportunity to...

American Society of Appraisers / Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisal Subcommittee / Appraisers News

January 2, 2013

Filing a Complaint Against ES Appraisal Services

Filing a Complaint Against ES Appraisal Services With Arizona Board of Appraisal The Board of Appraisal has received information that ES Appraisal Services, registration #40150, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and is closing its doors for business. If you have an open invoice on an appraisal completed for ES Appraisal Services in Arizona, which is past the 45 days required by statute, please file a complaint with Rebecca Loar at the Board of Appraisal by January 11, 2013. A.R.S § 32-3675. Payment EXCEPT IN CASES OF BREACH OF CONTRACT OR SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES, EACH APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY SHALL...

ABOA / AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations

December 27, 2012

Evaluation Solutions Closes Its Doors

Evaluation Solutions, ES Appraisal Services in bankruptcy… Another AMC is closing its doors. Evaluation Solutions, ES Appraisal Services is in bankruptcy. Appraisers who have been inquiring about money owed to them, are receiving emails stating “Due to unforeseen circumstances Evaluations Solutions, ES Appraisal Services is ceasing operations” and “any inquiries should be directed to Bradley R. Markey…” The following is a letter from their bankruptcy attorney, Stutsman Thames & Markey, P.A.: Our firm has been retained to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding for the company. Evaluation Solutions lost its major client earlier this week and was forced to shut...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / ES Appraisal Services

December 13, 2012

Possible USPAP Changes

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is always a work in progress. If you haven’t heard, the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) is hard at work considering potential changes for the 2014 –’15 edition. On Aug. 15, 2012, the Board released a second exposure draft covering these proposed changes. The ASB’s work plan for the 2014-’15 edition of USPAP includes reviewing and revising as needed the following areas of USPAP: Reporting and Communication Requirements Reporting Options Retirement of Standards 4 and 5 Other revisions and additions as needed to ensure clarity and relevance The deadline for comment on this...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News / ASB / The Appraisal Foundation