No appraiser in their right mind would undervalue a property. Appraisers spend a lot of time and money to become licensed and they won’t take a chance to lose it. Does bias exist? Sure.. But it is not as wide spread as some would like us to think.

Response: No NOT being sued. Running through my mind the endless implications = E&O, attorney, $$$, time-STRESS, the AB & all other witch-hunt bull, & then trying to clear your name with the impact of PRE-judgment.
Don’t think I could get through it UNLESS “the principle” of my STELLER reputation drives my anger.

Based UPON our current USPAP, GSE typical instructions, etc, etc: Saying Again: HOW could a professional appraiser CHOOSE grid comparisons TO BENEFIT the BORROWER? Conversely: turn a “blind eye” & NOT know the market in which one is appraising? Am I now expected to void the best sales &&& GO miles away from the subject neighborhood to superior Market Locations?
I’LL QUIT FIRST!

I wonder where all the silence is coming from? Oh no it’s not silence, it again is called rolling over.

I am proud to know Maureen and that she put forth this masterpiece. VaCap supports her position.

We would be honored to attract new members and a wider group.

Yes, such has been the sentiment among appraisers for the past decade. The CFPB’s ‘safe harbor rule’ on C&R fees which allowed amc’s to rake variable portions of the appraisal fee and not return cost savings to consumers, drove countless of the best appraisers out of mortgage lending already. It appears at this time, more pressure is being applied to appraisers. Automate away the few remaining appraisers whom want to help regular mortgage borrowers. The proper way to handle a more equitably applied engagement for everyone would be to review other causal factors in associated industries, as mentioned and linked in the above article.

I’ll reiterate my hope that the ongoing violations of the original spirit of the Customary and Reasonable rule by amc middle management companies still bears a chance at being the largest class action in history. These amc companies have raked billions of dollars out of the appraisal industry, driving down quality standards and experience base as a result. Over half of all appraisers have already reportedly refused mortgage origination work across the board because of amc’s. A generally decreased quality of appraisal and excessive outsourcing of vital appraisal duties has been the result. I saved the Dave Biggers email on this matter, circa 2010. The most basic question of appraisal service quality; were these accused appraisers subjected to the pressures of the amc industry? If so, the culpability also tracks back to the lenders whom chose to outsource the appraisal distribution duties to amc’s, driving down the appraisers fees and resources to do the job properly in the process.

In my humble opinion, Mike Ford, Jan Bellas and Mark Skapinetz at the AGA have done more for the boots on the ground appraiser than any other organization. Notable mentions to VaCAP for all the hard work they do both locally and nationally. I wish VaCAP would expand their coverage to Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Garth, are you saying you are being sued for “racism”?

Basically, once I’m sued …I’m scr_wed!

Factually, I have never been biased in my life or over the past 36 years as an appraiser.

Not even sure how that could happen WHEN you follow basic GSE & Lender appraisal order instructions.

Thanks for the article