Author: AppraisersBlogs

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TAF Response RE Gag Rule

TAF Response to Columbia Institute eVIP Appraisal News April 6, 2012, Mr. George Harrison, The Columbia Institute Dear Mr. Harrison: This is regarding an item that appeared in the “Ask George” column in the April 2 edition of eVIP Appraisal News. The question and answer relates to Appraisal Sponsors of The Appraisal Foundation apparently being under some type of constraint regarding freedom of expression. You have made a similar claim in a previous column and we thought that it was time to correct the record. You state that “The Appraisal Foundation has a restriction clause – gag rule – in its...

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Questions & Comments RE Customary and Reasonable Fees

Where To Direct Questions and Comments Regarding Customary and Reasonable Fees The appropriate agency to receive your concern about a creditor’s compliance with the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), including the requirement for the creditor or the creditor’s agent (including an AMC) to pay an appraiser a customary and reasonable fee, is the agency that enforces TILA with respect to the creditor. With respect to insured depository institutions of more than $10 billion and their affiliates, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the appropriate agency. For other non-depository institutions, the appropriate agency to receive the complaint is the CFPB...

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Power Line Impact on Sales

Article in The Appraisal Journal Says Power Line Impact on Sales Depends on Property Transmission lines are more likely to have a negative impact on sales when a property has a residential use or small lot size, or when similar properties without transmission lines are available in the market, according to an article published in the current edition of The Appraisal Journal. The Appraisal Journal is the quarterly technical and academic publication of the Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers. The materials presented in the publication represent the opinions and views of the authors and...

HVCC & Interim Rules Unintended Consequences 7

NAIHP Letter Regarding Appraiser Independence Regulations

An outline exposing the unintended consequences created by HVCC and the Interim Rule February 23, 2012, Hon. Richard Cordray, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Re: Appraiser Independence Regulations Dear Director Cordray: Thank you for taking the time to meet with NAIHP on January 26, 2012. We always appreciate the opportunity to meet with the CFPB and discuss issues of concern that affect consumers and small business housing professionals. Although, our meeting covered a broad range of issues, my comments today are limited to the ongoing problems associated with “Appraiser Independence.” Today’s interim Rule on Appraiser Independence, was built on the...

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The Appraisal Foundation to Host First Business Valuation Roundtable

Regulators, auditors, standard setters an others have expressed concern over the consistency in standards, education and qualifications, and oversight in the Business Valuation profession. In response to such comments, The Appraisal Foundation is hosting its first public roundtable discussion to obtain insight on the state of the business valuation profession, particularly as it relates to Financial Reporting. The program, titled, The Business Valuation Profession as it Relates to Financial Reporting: Where are we Headed? will be held on Monday

Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines in Mortgage Fraud Cases 1

Sentencing Guidelines Proposal

Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines Speaking at a March 14 hearing in Washington, D.C., the Appraisal Institute urged a federal judicial agency to require the use of real estate appraisals when calculating loss in mortgage fraud cases. In prepared written testimony, Appraisal Institute President Sara W. Stephens, MAI, told the U.S. Sentencing Commission, “We believe the Commission should adopt a special rule for determining the fair market value of real property if the mortgaged property has not been disposed of by the time of the sentencing. However, this rule should require use of real estate appraisals prepared by qualified...

Borrowers to Refinance with No Appraisals 1

FHA Borrowers to Refinance with No Appraisals

More FHA Borrowers to Refinance without Appraisals The Obama administration announced March 6 that the Federal Housing Administration would reduce fees that have prevented some FHA borrowers from refinancing at ultra low rates over the past year, The Wall Street Journal reported. The change will reduce fees through what’s known as a “streamline” refinance, which is reserved for FHA borrowers who refinance into another FHA-backed mortgage. The process does not require borrowers to verify income, employment or credit — and it does not require a new appraisal, which means that underwater borrowers can refinance, the Journal reported. Many borrowers who...

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FHA Updated Valuation Protocol FAQs

FHA Updated Valuation Protocol FAQs Revised 02/28/12 FHA has updated the Valuation Protocol FAQs posted on the FHA Appraiser Roster web page. The most recent FAQ can be found on page 27 of the document and provides clarification for what constitutes an acceptable conventional heating system. You can periodically review the FHA Appraiser Roster web page for alerts on recently published Mortgagee Letters of interest and other pertinent announcements. The publication contains the following topics: New Construction Wood Destroying Insects/Termites Utilities – Well and Septic Inspections & Certifications Cost Approach Accessory Dwelling Units Manufactured Housing Two Unit Properties HECM Appraisals Lender...

AVMs No Substitute for Real Estate Appraisals 0

AVMs No Substitute for Real Estate Appraisals

With lenders facing myriad challenges and consumers seeking cost reductions, it might be tempting to take a shortcut with real estate valuation — but the negative impact could be significant and long lasting. Some lenders utilize automated valuation models in certain cases. However, AVMs are not real estate appraisals; the two are not comparable. An actual appraisal typically requires the appraiser to visit the property and to perform a visual inspection. This enables the appraiser to accurately report property information, which they then verify. Appraisers use their experience, expertise and education to determine which comparable sales to use and what...

American Guild of Appraisers Petitions Fed 0

Fed Petitioned by American Guild of Appraisers

American Guild of Appraisers Petitions Fed and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to Overturn Regulation that Threatens Viability of Professional Appraisal Practice WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Guild of Appraisers (AGA), a national organization of real estate appraisers that is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO’s Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), has petitioned the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to overturn a regulation adopted by the Fed that is contrary to the Dodd Frank Financial Reform law, threatens the viability of professional appraisal practice and undermines the legitimacy of real estate appraisals...

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