Author: Dustin Harris

Appraisal reviews golden rule 2

Appraisal Reviews and the Golden Rule

I believe in the Golden Rule when it comes to field and desk reviews. As I have mentioned before, when I was going through my Trainee years, my Supervisor was actually located in another state. It was a different world back then. Though my Trainer was geographically competent in the area I worked, he was not physically ‘there’ most of the time. Fortunately, I was able to find a local—and seasoned—appraiser who lived 20 minutes from my office.  Though he was technically my ‘competition,’ this grandfatherly man was always happy to sit down for a soda and a visit whenever I stopped...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News

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Borrower’s Commonly Asked Questions and How an Appraiser Should Answer Them

  One of the aspects I love most about appraising is that every day is different.  I inspect an average of 3.25 houses per day.  Since every house is different, every day is unique.  Despite the variety we enjoy, I have also recognized that, though the setting varies each time, there is some repetition.  Specifically, the questions we get from borrowers seem to be similar over and over again. One of the best lessons I have learned as a businessman is that, if there are any processes which are often repeated, developing a system for handling them will allow you...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Business Development

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What Can the Government ‘Shutdown’ Teach the Appraisal Industry?

First of all, let’s be clear… it was not really a complete ‘shutdown.’  A large majority of federal workers were still at work, but for those who were furloughed, it was uncomfortable and scary for sure.  Though the can has officially been kicked down the road for a few more months, we will face another ‘crisis’ soon enough.  So, what can this debate teach us about appraising?  It turns out… quite a bit. Why did Congress and the President choose to delay the real problem with our national debt and budget—yet again—rather than just deal with the problem?  Why was...

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

How should you handle an angry borrower at a re-inspection 0

How to Handle an Angry Borrower at a Re-inspection

Angry borrower… please don’t shoot! We’ve all been there. We do an appraisal inspection and find health and safety issues that must be mentioned in the appraisal. A few weeks later, we receive an engagement letter requesting a re-inspection. The appointment is set and the borrowers confirm that all repairs have been made to a satisfactory level. The appointed time arrives and you drive to the property in question. Before you even get out of your vehicle, you can tell that the health and safety issues have been minimally addressed but certainly not to the level that would allow for...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Federal Housing Administration / FHA / The US Department of Veterans Affairs

Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow - Disservice to the profession 6

“Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow” Shocking News?

“Hiring of Trainees to Remain Slow” This is ‘Shocking News?’ According to a recent survey conducted by the Appraisal Institute, “trainee hiring will remain relatively weak for the next one- to two-years.” Um, I hate to disagree with the results of what I am sure is a credible survey, but this is just a gross underestimation. One-to two-years? How about FOREVER unless something drastically changes in our industry? Most know me as a fairly optimistic voice in the appraisal world. I am not usually one of those on the sidelines calling “foul” at every supposed indiscretion and ‘unfair’ practice that...

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

The Veteran’s Administration - A Model for All AMCs 3

The Veterans Administration – A Model for All AMCs

AMC should learn from the way the Veterans Administration treats their appraisers Let us begin with the obvious – the Veterans Administration (VA) is not an Appraisal Management Company (AMC). They are a non-profit, government entity that works under different rules, so making a direct comparison between the two is not entirely fair. However, there are some things I think every AMC should learn from the way the Veterans Adminstration treats their appraisers. Personally, I have been trying to get on the VA’s appraisal panel for over 6 years. They are a tough nut to crack.  After much persistence, however, I was...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / The US Department of Veterans Affairs

Three Ways to Reverse the Mass Exodus of Appraisers - Hire a Trainee 3

Hire & Reverse the Mass Exodus of Appraisers

If you are doing too much and not being paid enough, you are a PERFECT candidate to hire and train a new appraiser.  Three Ways to Reverse the Mass Exodus of Appraisers I was recently in Texas at yet another appraisal conference. The man who was speaking asked everyone to stand up. There were approximately 140 appraisers in the room. He then asked for those under 30 years of age to sit down. About five people did. He asked those under 40 to sit down. About 10 more did. Under 50. About 25% of the room was now sitting. Finally,...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Business Development

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The Help for Appraisers

I love movies, but I did not enjoy going to ‘The Help’ this past year with my wife. It probably stems from the fact that I wanted to attend the other theater (which was playing Captain America), but it was her turn to pick. The movie did, however, remind me of a time in our history where certain individuals were treated less than others. Not cool, and it made me very uncomfortable. There is another kind of ‘Help’ that many appraisers also find not so cool and makes them feel uncomfortable; that is… ANY HELP WHATSOEVER! For some odd reason,...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Business Development

Geographical Competency 3

Geographical Competency

Can we stop equating distance with geographical competency? There was a recent study completed that proved, beyond a doubt, what I have essentially suspected for years. The topic was what causes criminals to do what they do. After much study and consternation, it was discovered that all criminals, regardless of the crime and in 100% of the cases, have one thing in common. They all had a mother. There is an old debate trick called “Hasty Generalization.” Basically, it means taking something that may be true in some cases and applying it to all cases. “The Hansen family home schools...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

Why Appraisers Should Vote 1

Why Appraisers Should Vote

I have been involved in politics from the time I was quite young. I remember as a toddler attending party conventions, and as an eight year old delivering flyers from door to door asking everyone to vote for my dad for city councilman. Many of you know my story. Several years ago I felt a burning desire to learn more about our country’s commencement, the Founding Fathers, and good principles of government. Many of the principles that I discovered during that time have been the same truths that have propelled much of my present success. Despite what others may tell...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Political Action