Appraisal News and Appraisal Tips For Real Estate Appraisers - Your source for appraisal industry news, appraisers' opinions, and discussions of appraisal issues
Sinkholes have become a very hazardous and costly risk in Florida. There are certain counties: Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough where the land is inundated with sinkholes. However over the last few years the risk of sinkhole and subsidence events has been spreading geographically. According the state of Florida, 211 property insurers noted that claims increased from 2,360 in 2006 to 6,694 in 2010. The total dollar amount of those claims was near $1.4 billion dollars. There has not been a simple answer to why sinkhole incidents have been on the rise in Florida. It is believed that
Lately, there has been some controversy surrounding the announcement of CoesterVMS implementation of a flat fee appraisal structure which went into effect on January 1. The announcement appeared on CoesterVMS Blog on January 7: CoesterVMS, a nationwide appraisal management company, has implemented the appraisal industry’s first ever flat fee model for residential appraisals. Under the flat fee model, which took effect on January 1, 2013, all conventional appraisals for mortgage lenders are priced at $450 while FHA appraisals are $475*. Customarily, appraisal management companies utilize a tiered fee structure, whereby prices are determined based on the property type or the...
Solidifi and Kirchmeyer complete deal positioning Solidifi as 3rd largest independent provider of residential real estate appraisals Companies consolidate offices in Buffalo, New York Solidifi Inc., Buffalo, New York, January 7, 2013 — Solidifi and Kirchmeyer, two leading independent real estate appraisal management companies, have joined forces in a deal that will see Solidifi become the third largest independent provider of residential real estate appraisals in the country. The company is a trusted, well-capitalized alternative to traditional appraisal management companies servicing more than 50% of the nation’s top lenders. “Following a $22 million financing in 2012, Solidifi is in growth...
The National Association of Independent Housing Professionals (NAIHP) led by Marc Savitt is petitioning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and is asking those harmed by the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence to sign and forward the online petition. To Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Richard Cordreay, CFPB Director: Allow NMLS loan originators to order appraisals directly from appraisers Consumers and small business are being significantly harmed by the Interim Final Rule on Appraiser Independence. Consumer costs have increased by over 2.8 Billion dollars a year; thousands of small business residential appraisers have gone out of business, as the rule diverts...
TJ’s Rant… Almost all of the questions deal with Supervisor – Trainee issues that will change in 2015. If like me, you believe it is difficult enough to find people to become appraisers today, just wait until you read all of the new requirements. I don’t understand where the AQB is coming from with all these new requirements. Do they really believe that someone will want to go to college (at an average cost of about $120,000) to get a degree and then become a Certified Residential appraiser who would be lucky to make $20,000 for their first few years...
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is offering a webinar on January 22, 2013 on Property & Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): January 22, 2013: – Webinar: Property & Appraisal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). This FREE introductory webinar addresses the most common questions FHA receives from underwriters and appraisers on single-family property-related issues. The topics covered include: flipping, appraisal validity period,
National Real Estate Information Services (NREIS) to Close in February. Information is circulating from various sources that National Real Estate Information Services (NREIS) will be closing within the next sixty days. Sources say NREIS employees have been notified that it will be closing. If you are owed for unpaid appraisal reports, you should contact NREIS immediately and demand payment. When the shutdown happens, and you are still unpaid, contact the LENDER directly. LENDERS are responsible under federal lending regulations for the actions of their AGENTS (such as NREIS), and thus are legally responsible for your fee payment. If you are in...
The establishment of an appraisal complaint hotline… The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) appreciate the opportunity to jointly comment on the Paperwork Reduction Act implications of the establishment of the Appraisal Complaint Hotline system mandated by section 1473 of Dodd-Frank. Although we understand that the public will have an opportunity to comment on the appraisal complaint form itself when it is proposed (described as “the Interagency Appraisal Complaint Form”), we believe the agencies’ October 22nd Federal Register request for comment provides our organizations (and other stakeholders) with an important opportunity to...
Filing a Complaint Against ES Appraisal Services With Arizona Board of Appraisal The Board of Appraisal has received information that ES Appraisal Services, registration #40150, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and is closing its doors for business. If you have an open invoice on an appraisal completed for ES Appraisal Services in Arizona, which is past the 45 days required by statute, please file a complaint with Rebecca Loar at the Board of Appraisal by January 11, 2013. A.R.S § 32-3675. Payment EXCEPT IN CASES OF BREACH OF CONTRACT OR SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES, EACH APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY SHALL...
Evaluation Solutions, ES Appraisal Services in bankruptcy… Another AMC is closing its doors. Evaluation Solutions, ES Appraisal Services is in bankruptcy. Appraisers who have been inquiring about money owed to them, are receiving emails stating “Due to unforeseen circumstances Evaluations Solutions, ES Appraisal Services is ceasing operations” and “any inquiries should be directed to Bradley R. Markey…” The following is a letter from their bankruptcy attorney, Stutsman Thames & Markey, P.A.: Our firm has been retained to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding for the company. Evaluation Solutions lost its major client earlier this week and was forced to shut...
