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Schizophrenic Adjustments

Dave Towne — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 12:30:20 +0000

Appraisers, I’ve written in the past about what I believe are strange ways to report adjustments in appraisals, and suggested ‘rounding’ is a perfectly acceptable way to report them. This is largely due to buyers and listing agents thinking and listing in $100 increments – not down to exact dollar amounts. During the past couple of weeks, I ‘came in contact with’ two separate appraisals done by different appraisers on totally different properties, in different market areas. What struck me was the incredibly precise adjustments made for only certain items in these reports, while the rest of adjustments were ‘rounded’ to...

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Importance of Graphing Sales

Dave Towne — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 12:30:38 +0000

Scatter graph can help you “visualize” the trend of sale prices over a time period… Appraisers, I’ve been including ‘comparable’ price trend graphs in my reports (using Excel) since 2008. The graphs are based on a chart of MLS sales in the subject’s neighborhood, and can be from 1 to 5 years prior to the report Effective Date – based on housing density and number of sales. (I work in urban, suburban and rural areas.) A Scatter Graph can help you “visualize” the trend of sale prices over a time period. It can also show questionable outlier sales that you...

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Concession Reporting Confusion

Dave Towne — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:30:22 +0000

…how are these "lender contributions" identified… Appraisers are ‘required’ to report comparable sales or financing concessions that benefit a borrower in the GSE form appraisal report, on the second line in the comparison grid (as a negative adjustment). Secondly, for subject properties, appraisers are ‘required’ to report any concession benefiting the borrower on page 1 of the report form. Subject concession amount is NOT entered on the Comparable grid. Well now, FNMA has issued a modification to their Selling Guide (which takes effect as of 4/03/18) – SEL–2018-03 – (I have added type face enhancements): Lender Contributions With this update we are...

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EA & HA Definition Changes

Dave Towne — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 13:30:15 +0000

Appraisers, effective with the 2018-19 USPAP, definitions for Extraordinary Assumption and Hypothetical Condition have changed. Below is a one page PDF sheet you can print & post at your office, and you may distribute this to others if you like. According to the Appraisal Standards Board, the Extraordinary Assumption change was done to clarify the term and its applicability. It seems the same rationale was used for the Hypothetical Condition definition change, although that was not mentioned in their Summary of Actions document issued on Feb. 23, 2017. Underlined words are the changes made. I also include the prior definitions below...

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Mobile Sketch Guide

Dave Towne — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 13:30:49 +0000

Just getting my big toe in the mobile ocean… Appraisers, For those of you interested to learn how to ‘sketch’ using a la mode’s Total for Mobile Sketch (T4M) on a tablet or phone, the attached PDF might be of interest to you. I’m a greenhorn, just getting my big toe in the mobile ocean and could not find a user guide for T4M Sketch, except as ‘single pages’ on the a la mode web site. I turned in a Support Request asking if such a guide was available. Turns out they don’t have a self-contained guide. So the support tech got...

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Suburban Inside Urban City Limits – Really?

Dave Towne — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 13:30:23 +0000

Pre-filled template with ‘Suburban’ already checked… Appraisers, Another appraisal report was delivered by a homing pigeon to my windowsill the other day. After leaving a ‘deposit’ on the sill that kind of matches the goop I observed in the report, off it went. The subject property is within a built-up neighborhood area within the largest city in this particular area; it is within city limits. The neighborhood was developed in the 1950’s and 60’s. It is fully built out (i.e., all subdivided lots are developed) and has a couple of neighborhood parks. Population density is similar to other areas within...

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Adjustment Question

Dave Towne — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 13:30:16 +0000

Rounding of adjustments is perfectly acceptable. Would someone kindly, and logically, explain to me why the ‘Site’ is adjusted precisely at $0.20 per square foot, down to the nearest dollar, but all other adjustments are rounded to $50? Are ‘we’ appraisers really that good, where we can divine buyer motivations or values (i.e., adjustments) as accurately as that? In other words: “Well, I believe it’s worth exactly that much.” Usually I see this kind of adjustment practice to the nearest dollar when applied to the Gross Living Area and below grade areas, which is also screwy (IMHO). This is the...

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Graphing Using Spreadsheet – Including Pendings

Dave Towne — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:30:13 +0000

Pendings can reveal market trends, turns and current activity… Appraisers, How many of you use visual graphs in your reports to demonstrate sales (and Pending) trend data? This can be a very important tool to convince your clients that you really have a good understanding of current valuation issues. I am indebted to David Braun, Patrick Egger, Steve Smith, George Dell, Anthony Young and Joe Lynch (among others) for their presentations about this key feature we can utilize. Frankly, using spreadsheets and their built-in graphing functions is something every appraiser should learn. I bring this up because an appraiser peer was...

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Cost Approach Booklet & Instructions

Dave Towne — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 12:30:51 +0000

FREE Cost Approach calculation worksheet… Appraisers, Many use Building-Cost.net as a source for completing residential Cost Approach details in appraisal reports. Craftsman Book Company is the owner of this service, and the web site offers a FREE Cost Approach calculation worksheet, which can be printed to PDF and included in reports, and also a printed hardcopy for the workfile if desired. I began using and promoting this web site years ago. Not long ago, the web site above was updated, to provide more specific reporting items, which in turn enables a more accurate and professional looking Cost Approach to be...

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UAD Rating Absolute vs. Relative

Dave Towne — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 12:30:23 +0000

Where did those rating words come from? Why is it so many appraisers have trouble with UAD and the CU (Collateral Underwriter), and how to apply the Quality and Condition rating between the Subject and Comps? Not long after the UAD was implemented/mandated by FNMA (in 2011), and then the CU evaluation system came along, FNMA began discovering that many appraisers were improperly Rating the comps Quality and Condition AGAINST the Subject in the grid. And they began telling appraisers what they were finding. FNMA also discovered, and revealed, that many appraisers were using the same Comps over and over...

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GLA Adjustments & Pizza Slices – They Do Correlate!

Dave Towne — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:30:47 +0000

Determining the GLA Adjustment in Appraisal Reports I promised in a previous post I’d send out my method for determining the GLA adjustment in appraisal reports. Goodness! Appraisers actually found that statement buried in the prior post, and have ‘rung my chimes’ requesting this info! OK, but first, the pizza analogy. I often tell clients and other appraisers that appraising (residential) real estate is far more complex than grabbing a store-bought pre-boxed pizza (that has exactly the same ingredients from box to box no matter which store you shop in) at a grocery and then applying 425 degrees of love...

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New Fannie Mae CU Training Video

Dave Towne — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:30:03 +0000

Training admits that CU use of CENSUS BLOCK GROUPS Appraisers, FNMA has released a new training video that helps lenders understand how to PROPERLY use Collateral Underwriter, which in some cases has not been happening since Jan. 26, 2015. By reviewing this info, you can learn how to write reports that pass the CU evaluations, and make your reports more complete and accurate. But keep reading. One thing I find interesting is CU assigns a unique ‘appraiser number’ for every appraiser who has reports submitted by Lenders to the CU. They don’t just use the appraiser’s license number by itself. Secondly, this...

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Adjustments – Your Opinion Doesn’t Count

Richard Hagar, SRA — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:30:50 +0000

Regulations state that appraisal adjustments cannot be based upon an appraiser’s opinion. According to federal and state law, adjustments must be based on support and evidence- proof if you will, and an appraiser’s opinion is not considered to be “support.” Many appraisers have failed to support their adjustments and as a result have had their licenses revoked, penalties assessed and lawsuits lost, all because the they failed to understand a single but important requirement. Think about your appraisals. Are the adjustments based on your opinion or do you have proof of the adjustment in your workfile? Then one day I...

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Free FHA Webinar on Most Common Appraisal Deficiencies

AppraisersBlogs — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:30:57 +0000

On September 18, 2014, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a 120-minute webinar on Most Common Appraisal Deficiencies. This session will provide an update and overview of FHA Single Family mortgage insurance appraisal requirements. It will address the most common appraisal questions and appraisal deficiencies. Property inspection requirements, appraisal validity period, case numbers, REO, manufactured homes, well and septic, attic and crawl spaces, lead-based paint, termite infestation, and the FHA Appraiser Roster will be addressed. FHA appraisers with all levels of experience may benefit from this session. The webinar is from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT (10:00 AM –...

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Freddie to Host Multifamily Appraisal Webinar

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:00:36 +0000

Freddie Mac will host a webinar June 26 that will highlight upcoming changes to its multifamily appraisal requirements. Freddie’s new requirements, which take effect July 1, will address tying together an appraiser’s multifamily data with their conclusions. Examples include: Tighter guidelines around the use of property condition assessments and environmental report drafts; Discussions around local market data in the capitalization rate analysis; Elimination of net income multipliers or adjustments to net operating income in the Sales Comparison Approach; Supplemental discussion of the risk of reassessment of property taxes including a quantifiable chance of a reassessment; and Documentation of the number...

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Free Webinar on How to Review an FHA Appraisal

AppraisersBlogs — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:30:06 +0000

On September 11, 2013, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a 90-minute webinar on How to Review an FHA Appraisal using the FNMA 1004, and how to review appraisals on more difficult property types; e.g., manufactured homes, 2 to 4 Units, Condominiums, and New Construction. How to spot potential fraud, the condominium approval process, and the common appraisal deficiencies will be covered. This webinar is designed for appraisers, underwriters, loan officers, processors, brokers, agents, any interested parties, and any individuals new to FHA. Registration is required. No Fee. Please hold on to the e-mail you receive after you register,...

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Free Webinar on FHA Appraisal Requirements – Property Type

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 12:30:25 +0000

On August 28, 2013, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a 90-minute webinar on FHA Appraisal Requirements. Webinar will cover: The lenders and appraisers responsibilities as it relates to FHA guidelines The marketability and value of the property and information about “For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection” Minimum Property Requirements Minimum Property Standards Appraisal Protocol This webinar is designed for appraisers, underwriters, loan officers, processors, brokers, agents, any interested parties, and any individuals new to FHA. Registration is required. Please hold on to the e-mail you receive after you register, you will need it to access the webinar....

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Free Webinar on How to Review an FHA Appraisal

AppraisersBlogs — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:46 +0000

On May 29, 2013, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a 90-minute webinar on How to Review an FHA Appraisal using the FNMA 1004, and how to review appraisals on more difficult property types; e.g., manufactured homes, 2 to 4 Units, Condominiums, and New Construction. How to spot potential fraud, the condominium approval process, and the common appraisal deficiencies will be covered. This webinar is designed for appraisers, underwriters, loan officers, processors, brokers, agents, any interested parties, and any individuals new to FHA. Registration is required. No Fee. Please hold on to the e-mail you receive after you register,...

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Free Webinar on FHA Appraisal Requirements

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:30:37 +0000

On May 22, 2013, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a 90-minute webinar on FHA Appraisal Requirements. Webinar will cover: Lenders and appraisers responsibilities as it relates to FHA guideline Marketability and value of the property and information about “For your Protection Get a Home Inspection” Minimum Property Requirements Minimum Property Standards Appraisal Protocol This webinar is designed for appraisers, underwriters, loan officers, processors, brokers, agents, any interested parties, and any individuals new to FHA. Registration is required. No Fee. Please hold on to the e-mail you receive after you register, you will need it to access the webinar.

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Free FHA Webinar on FHA Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:30:26 +0000

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a webinar on March 20, 2013 on FHA Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): March 20, 2013: – Webinar: This FREE Webinar training will provide clarification to current Underwriting Hot Topics, Insuring/Eligibility Issues and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in today’s FHA lending environment. Topics covered will include: FHA Updates including most recentMortgagee Letters, Maximum Mortgage Calculations, Refinance Transactions, FHA Real Estate Owned and utilizing FHA Systems. Registration is required. Please hold on to the e-mail you receive after you register, you will need it to access the webinar. This webinar will be archived. Closed...

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