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For any appraiser asked to offer an opinion on smoke detectors or any other system, if you must comply then include the details of the request, the steps you took to comply, and how you arrived at your conclusion. Don’t state that the smoke/carbon detectors are working properly. State that you pressed the test button and heard an alarm (or did not). State that you did not use any method other than a simple press of a button, and cannot attest as to the function of the alarms in an actual emergency. State that you recommend inspection by a qualified inspector. Don’t assume responsibility for something outside your area of expertise. Charge accordingly.

Helmut, get a life and stop putting down hard working legit. appraisers.

Lol! I’m not certain Helmut is an appraiser at all.

Helmut read the authors ‘qualifications’ regarding “if the appraiser were a general certified appraiser” or ever appraised anything other than residential property.

My minimum fee for C&I work of any kind is $1,500. Most run in the $2,500 to $3,500 range. At those fees I explain anything the client or sound appraisal practices dictate. What I don’t do is accept additional liability for things outside my area of expertise. Do you? Stand alone business valuations are charged at rates generally in a range from $3,500 to $7,500.

As for brevity-read it or not. Your choice. Re CAPS I double checked and can’t find what you are referring to though as the Blog Editor has mentioned before their software does sometimes capitalize portions at posting.

In checking the ASC National Registry I find no ‘Helmut Schmidt’ as a licensed or certified appraiser. The AppraisersBlogs are written and intended for appraisers (though of course all are welcome to read and comment).

The focus and method of communicating is usually directed toward other appraisers rather than news or magazine editors; or English majors.

We’d love to have you Bryan.
Link http//www.appraisersguild.org

or Call Jan Bellas, National Membership Coordinator at 1(301) 220-4100; if she’s not available ask for Leo (Exec VP of Guild). Or call me (714) 366 9404 and I’ll forward request.

Why not calmly explain that smoke alarms have nothing to do with market value and that appraisers are not qualified to render an opinion?

This in many ways shows why appraisal needs to revert to a system similar to the legal profession. If the author if this article was a general appraiser, and had experience appraising things other than single-family homes, he would know that requests like this are not atypical. For a practicing general appraiser, explaining things like this is a fairly regular professional activity.

All except for moving production of your small car to China.

Our product has become hidden in all the requirements made of appraisers beyond their area of expertise, that we have become agents of our client.

Our original purpose was to help a client protect himself, with an independent view of VALUE.

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