Author: AppraisersBlogs

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NAR on Low Valuation in Home Appraisals

WASHINGTON (October 10, 2012) – The real estate market is recovering but still faces hurdles, notably from tight mortgage credit, but problems with a sizeable share of real estate appraisals also are holding back home sales, according to survey findings by the National Association of Realtors®. Most appraisers are competent and provide good valuations that are compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. However, appraisals generally lag market conditions and some changes to the appraisal process have been causing problems in recent years, including the use of out-of-area valuators without local expertise or full access to local data,...

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Black Cat Causes Fair Housing Issue with AMC

An appraiser was required by an AMC to edit/crop the photos in an appraisal report because of a black cat. The AMC claimed that the black cat violated fair housing act. This was the response of the AMC in regard to the cat: “Please be advised that the following issues were found: a cat appears in the rear open patio photo and the landscaping photo. Please edit or crop this photo accordingly, as this is a fair lending issue for the client.” Fast forward the video below to 1 minute:

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New Trade Association Announces Launch to Support Appraisal Industry

Announcing the Official Formation of the National Association of Appraisal Management Companies (NAAMC) Providence, RI (PRWEB) August 31, 2012 Filling a long missing void in the ever-changing Appraisal and Residential Home Mortgage sectors, a collection of Industry-leading Appraisal Management Companies joined forces to create a unique and extremely necessary organization exclusively committed to supporting all entities impacted in the Residential Appraisal and Valuation industries. Officially formed in late July 2012, several months’ pre-launch due diligence was completed by the sixteen Founding Members of the National Association of Appraisal Management Companies (NAAMC). This non-profit trade association is officially incorporated in Delaware and...

Grizzly Bears and Other Common Appraiser Dangers 1

Grizzly Bears and Other Common Appraiser Dangers

I do not think the grizzly bear had to change her britches after the encounter. It was a beautiful, early, fall afternoon. I had just completed my fifth inspection of the day and had just one more to do in the rural community of Island Park, Idaho, just outside of Yellowstone National Park. The cabin was setback in the trees and was surrounded on three sides by state lands. In other words, this 1004 UAD would have the ‘rural’ box checked on this one. I had just begun measuring the outside when I heard a loud and extremely close bellow/snort....

BPO Legislation North Carolina 0

North Carolina Enacts BPO Legislation

What a licensed broker or appraiser must do in performing a BPO or a CMA… North Carolina Governor Beverly Purdue signed S.B. 521 into law July 12, and the legislation will significantly expand the ability of the state’s licensed real estate brokers to offer a broker price opinion or comparative market analysis. The legislation included two amendments provided by the state’s appraisal organizations. Prior to the new legislation, North Carolina real estate brokers were limited to providing a CMA only in the real estate sales context, and they had to have a reasonable expectation that a listing would result from...

Broker Price Opinions BPOs 1

Downturn in Market Leads to Upturn in BPOs

BPOs as an alternative to appraisals! Over the last year, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of broker’s price opinions (a.k.a. comparative market analysis, broker’s estimate of value, etc.) that are being performed by real estate brokers and salespeople, in lieu of appraisals. While BPOs were previously used for very limited purposes, they are now being used as valuation products in the finance arena, primarily for the review of distressed properties prior to short sales or foreclosure. They are also being used in areas previously unimagined several years ago, including segments of the commercial market. The increase...

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Free FHA Webinar for Appraisers on REO Appraisals

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a webinar on September 18, 2012 on REO Appraisals: September 18, 2012 – Webinar: The Real Estate Owned (REO) Appraisal will acquaint the audience with the correct reporting procedures that FHA Roster appraisers should follow when completing FHA appraisal reports for HUD Real Estate Owned (REO) properties. This seminar introduces and explains, rather than supplants, official policy issued in Handbooks and Mortgagee Letters. Appraisers new to the FHA Roster, as well as seasoned professionals looking for a refresher will benefit. Registrants will receive an email confirmation prior to the webinar with a web...

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More than Half of Appraisers Responded They Would Get Out of Appraising

AppraisalPort Weekly Poll Analysis This month, I want to again give you a quick summary of three recent polls. The first poll cut right to the chase, asking if you would get out of appraising if you could. This turned out to be the most popular poll in a while with 6,262 responses. I was surprised that more than half (53%) responded that they would get out. Another 25% said they would like to stay but only if fees were what they consider to be customary and reasonable. The smallest group, at nearly 7%, was composed of those who just...

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Mortgage Originators: Appraisals a Huge Concern

Early results released Aug. 20 from the 2012 Loan Originator Survey conducted by Mortgage Daily revealed that the real estate appraisal process is considered one of the most frustrating issues for mortgage loan originators. Respondents also cited the Dodd-Frank Act as having a big impact on their business. The results are only preliminary because the survey is ongoing and won’t officially close until Sept. 15. Respondents must be mortgage originators registered in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. The survey showed strong opposition to current appraisal requirements, with many respondents having made negative comments about today’s appraisal environment. Most...

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Gordon Cowden Children’s Fund

Morning Appraisers, I am writing to you in sadness, but yet, with hope. One of the victims in the Aurora theater killings was Gordon Cowden, a fellow appraiser. He was taking his two teenage daughters to the movie and he was gunned down. REAA has opened a memorial fund to help his family. Along with the natural grief and pain, they are facing the possibility of losing their home. On our home page of www.reaa.org is a donate button that takes credit cards and pay pal accounts. We are in the process of fine tuning the page withmore information on...

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