Category: Appraisal News

Appraisal news and appraisal tips for real estate appraisers – Your source for appraisal industry news, appraisers’ opinions, and discussions of appraisal issues

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Accurate Appraisal Underreporting

The HousingWire article highlighting that only 40% of homes sold include an “accurate” appraisal, as defined by the Corporate Settlement Solutions (CSS) report, is deeply problematic and indicative of a concerning lack of understanding around the appraisal process. The report cited from CSS, analyzed appraisal data across 10 states in the East Coast and Midwest, finding that only around 40% of home sales included an appraisal that was within $2,500 of the final sale price. This is being presented as evidence that the vast majority of home appraisals are inaccurate. Appraising a home’s value is an inherently complex endeavor, with...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Trending

Key Part of USPAP Not Available from TAF 14

Key Part of USPAP Not Available from TAF

this is a colossal failure on their part – to have a key document on BACKORDER until a month from now, or longer!  Appraisers, I have a print copy of the current USPAP, but need/want a PRINT copy of the AO/FAQ Reference Manual, which TAF decided to make into a separate document for this version at a cost of $75. I prefer the printed versions, rather than the PDF so I can read it and use a highlighter for key items. I went onto the TAF web site on July 17, 2024 to order the document, and found this: In...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News / The Appraisal Foundation / Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process 24

Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process

The story of this single mother’s harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD’s negligent oversight exposes deep flaws in the FHA appraisal and loan review process. After sacrificing for years to rebuild her credit and earn the right to become a homeowner, this borrower found her dream home in the country – or so she thought. During the home inspection, several issues were flagged. The seller, an investor who had purchased the home in an estate sale, was unaware of the septic system’s location. The seller agreed to have the tanks pumped so the location could be determined....

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

Automatic Review of Photos in Appraisal Reports 22

Automatic Review of Photos in Appraisal Reports

It means the statements in your appraisal reports about the actual component material, and its quality and current condition, can be challenged by computer software.  Folks, this news release (below) was in several publications on Wed, June 19, 2024. These kinds of releases are mostly factual, but are often embellished to present a particular ‘owner’ point of view to influence opinion about products. I remember listening to Jeff Bradford many years ago who discussed the early stage process to electronically review photos. He said it was pretty difficult then. But that was before we began hearing about “A.I.” – artificial...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Technology / Appraisers News / Trending / Valuation Technology

Alleged Racial Discrimination Debunked: Security Bars Removal Required by Law 13

Security Bars Removal Law Debunks Alleged Racial Discrimination

Complainant stated appraiser told them they should remove security bars from windows. Complainant stated this is evidence of “racist discrimination”… Security bars on bedroom windows is against code…  This morning I received the results of a California State Information Act Request I made regarding an alleged case of racial bias in Allendale, Oakland, California which was settled May 2024. I requested any and all documents in the case involving the appraiser because I didn’t have the complainant’s name or property address. I only had the appraiser’s name which I won’t post in text. Complainant stated appraiser told them they should...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News

Gov't-Indulged Middlemen Are Wrong RX for Battered Borrowers, The Infirm 12

Gov’t-Indulged Middlemen Are Wrong RX for Battered Borrowers, The Infirm

The U.S. government impoverishes homebuyers as it does the chronically ill – by promoting the use of middlemen who prey upon them. A cadre of such middlemen was created decades ago as a firewall between Big Pharma, the insurance companies and the pharmacy chains. Called “pharmacy benefit managers,” they were to negotiate drug prices, streamline distribution and manage lists of prescription drugs covered by insurance plans. But since the government has gone whole-hog into health care under the Affordable Care Act and into drug-price controls under the Inflation Reduction Act, things have gotten crazy at the slop trough. Today, according...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations

Exposing Predatory AMCs 46

Exposing Predatory AMCs

Exposing the inner workings of these predatory AMCs and their corrosive influence on the housing market.  Cindy Chance’s recent comments about the concerning practices of some appraisal management companies (AMCs) have struck a chord with many in the real estate valuation industry. Chance is shedding light on the troubling ways in which certain AMCs have come to wield significant power and influence over the appraisal process, often to the detriment of both appraisers and the public. The growth of AMCs in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis was driven by the misguided belief that they could help “ensure the...

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

Reforming the Appraisal Review Process: The Illogical Reality of Mortgage Appraisal Reviews 25

The Illogical Reality of Mortgage Appraisal Reviews 

Reforming the appraisal review process is essential to maintaining the integrity of the real estate market and protecting consumers and homeowners.  In mortgage financing, the appraisal process is often seen as the foundation of accurate property valuation and market stability. However, beneath this façade of reliability lies a troubling rift: while real estate appraisers must navigate stringent licensing protocols and scrutiny, the individuals reviewing the appraisals often operate with minimal oversight, instead leaning heavily on automated systems and algorithms. This stark disparity not only undermines the credibility of the review process but also revives the threat of past missteps, once...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / AQB / Automated Valuation Models / AVM

CFPB | Bureau Crackdown: Unfair Practices Hurting Consumers 22

CFPB Crackdown: Unfair Practices Hurting Consumers

Bureau is currently investigating various fees associated with obtaining a loan, with the goal of identifying any that may be particularly burdensome or concerning for borrowers. As we all know many AMCs are not paying Customary & Reasonable fee as required by TILA. They have consistently pushed down the pay of Appraisers while making undisclosed profit off consumers and prioritizing cheapest and fastest over quality and competency. The CFPB has been in communication with individuals behind the scenes and are concerned with what has been shown enough to include AMCs in their data collection process. Now is the time to...

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

Appraisal Fees & Value: Lessons from Picasso & Steinmetz 26

Appraisal Fees & Value: Lessons from Picasso & Steinmetz

Picasso answered “$5,000 madam.” “But it only took you five minutes.” “No, madam, it took me my whole life.”  The Appraisal Institute has been a source of frustration and criticism within the appraisal profession for quite some time. I must admit that I have also expressed my dissatisfaction with them. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that the new CEO, Cindy Chance, appears to be a positive change and is making some valuable points about our profession from her new position. In particular, she recently discussed appraisal fees in a piece she wrote. In this excerpt, she shares two stories that provide...

AI / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

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