Category: Appraisers News

Concessions - when & how much to adjust 7

Concessions – When & How Much to Adjust

There is a lack of consensus or understanding among appraisers regarding concessions paid to a buyer in a sales transaction. The focus here is on appraisals communicated via a current Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac form. The intent of this article is to bring some clarity to this topic, whether you’re appraising the property as a purchase transaction or using it as a comparable sale after it has closed. First, in your appraisal due to purchase, a concession to the buyer of the subject of your appraisal must be reported in the contract section of the appraisal report. However, you must remember...

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...

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Time for an Appraiser Union?

Much talk has occurred lately on a variety of injustices incurred by appraisers through scope-creep, indemnification clauses, decreasing number of appraisers, lawsuit volume increases, and the like. Naturally, there are a whole lotta unhappy appraisers out there. Surely, there are many things to be concerned with, but there is a greater fear that overrides all other issues; the fear that there ain’t a dang thing we can do about it. The lack of ability to make changes to those things we view as wrong is a debilitating feeling. As small business owners, we are used to getting things done our...

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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What is the Statute of Limitations for a Lawsuit Against an Appraiser in my State?

The statute of limitations period for a professional negligence claim against an appraiser ranges from 10 years in one particular New England state down to 1 year in a certain Southern state. Application of the “discovery rule” also varies widely. In 2012, most lawsuits against both residential and commercial appraisers continue to relate to appraisals performed at or near the peak of the real estate price bubble, 2004 to mid-2008. Appraisers dragged into these claims often ask us about the relevant statutes of limitations. The question is usually something like: “I did the appraisal in 2005, more than five years...

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NAR Adopts Broader Valuation Policy

The National Associaiton of REALTORS® (NAR) continues its holistic approach to valuing real property with the adoption of its Responsible Valuation Policy. The document is the culmination of NAR’s efforts to consider all methods of valuing real property. NAR previously hosted two valuation summits and two working groups were convened. Members from across NAR’s policy structure had input in the document and included representation from the Professional Standards, Real Property Valuation/Appraisal, Federal Housing Policy, Conventional Finance and Lending, Commercial, and Business Issues Committees. Input was also provided by RPR. The document will serve as the foundation for NAR’s policy position...

Comparable sales in declining market 0

Comparable Sales in Declining Markets

Appraisal Institute Helps Appraisers Choose Comparable Sales in Declining Markets The nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers published guidance to help appraisers know when and how to use distressed sales, such as foreclosures, as comparable sales. Such knowledge is particularly crucial in the current market where distressed sales are common, creating complex valuation challenges. The Appraisal Institute noted that appraisers often use comparable sales (or “comps”) to help develop an opinion of value. But in today’s distressed real estate market, many potential comparable sales represent foreclosed properties. Some owners have complained their home’s values have fallen because appraisers...

Developing and Reporting Exposure Time 0

Developing and Reporting Exposure Time

Did you know that the 2012 USPAP has a new development and reporting requirement? Effective January 1, 2012; when exposure time is a component of the definition for the value opinion being developed, the appraiser must also develop and state in the report an opinion of reasonable exposure time linked to that value opinion. The following is the exact language in the USPAP; DEFINITIONS Exposure Time: estimated length of time that the property interest being appraised would have been offered on the market prior to the hypothetical consummation of a sale at market value on the effective date of the...

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Why are Lenders not Allowing Trainee Appraisers?

Appraisalbuzz recently posted a ‘White Paper on Training the Next Generation of Appraisers. I thought it was a good enough read to repost to my subscribers. Please read the article HERE and see my comments below: I commend the authors of this well-thought out article. Though I do not agree with every suggestion contained within, I support the general purpose of the article and I thank those who have taken the time to put it together. There are some great suggestions and ideas in this article and every appraiser ought to read it and be a part of implementing a...

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Preventing Mortgage Fraud & Foreclosure Scams

Free FHA Webinar for Appraisers on Preventing Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure Scams The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a webinar on February 28, 2012 on Preventing Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure Scams: February 28, 2012 – Preventing Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure Scams Webinar. The webinar will provide information on the detection and prevention of Mortgage Fraud and Foreclosure Scams and is presented by the Department of HUD, Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The intended audience includes Mortgage Industry (lenders, housing counselors, real estate agents, appraisers);Regulatory/governmental entities; and Consumers. Registration required, no fee.

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