Tagged: appraisal fees

Where is all the mortgage work 14

Where is all the Mortgage Work?

We should be busting with mortgage work. Where is all the mortgage work? I talk to appraisers and they all ask the same question. With the looming spring market and low interest rates, we should be busting with mortgage work. But the appraisers I know tend to get a reasonable and customary fee of above $400. So is it going to the bottom third? Now don’t get me wrong; I am quoting 2 to 3 weeks due to our back log. But outside of VA’s it’s everything but first mortgage work. I am fine with it because it’s less hassle....

Big data is in real estate 13

Big Data is in Real Estate

The only thing Big Data can’t do is smell. I got a call from my credit card company. Now I have been traveling a lot lately on business. Apparently, someone got my number and charged $199.53 at WalMart on Monday. I was not in WalMart, but a couple a weeks ago I bought a new TV at Sam’s Club. No question about the Sam’s Club purchase. How did they know I did not go to WalMart? I am truly amazed. The reason – BIG DATA! The banks are amassing massive amounts of data on you, me, everyone. They know more...

Competition & Joe Above-Average 16

Competition & Joe Above-Average

The appraisal profession is in competition with other professions Ask any appraiser nowadays, and they can give you numerous details and opinions about why things are a mess and why appraisers are leaving this profession in droves. In a previous story, it was reported that Illinois alone lost somewhere near 900 appraisers last renewal. Every appraiser already knows about the fee problem, insane liability, higher costs, ridiculous revision requests, and the list goes on. All those reasons are the finer details. I would like to add a different perspective and paint a bigger picture as to why I think appraisers...

Talked lately - We need to Talk VaCAP 6

Talked Lately? We Need to Talk!

Being informed is the key to success. Have you talked lately? Communication among appraisers is critical to our continued success. Whether it is reading a newsletter, having lunch with a colleague, or socializing at an industry function, this is how we learn, grow and succeed. Are you registered with the Townhall? The Virginia Regulatory Townhall is the regulatory website for information. Here you will find the regulations of the Virginia Appraisal Board, proposed regulations, and proposed changes. The Townhall is also the place to go for dates, times, agendas, and meeting minutes of the Virginia Appraisal Board Meetings. This is a must...

AMCs vs Public Interest - VaCAP Advocacy 29

AMC vs Public Interest – VaCAP Advocacy

Since the beginning, Federal Regulation of the industry was initiated to “protect the public. “ FIRREA, USPAP, HVCC, Dodd Frank and state licensing of appraisers and appraisal management companies were initiated with consumer protection as the goal. Customary and reasonable fees, mandated by Dodd Frank, are also to protect the consumer. The Virginia Coalition of Appraiser Professionals supports customary and reasonable fees and believes in order to determine a customary and reasonable fee all things associated must be considered and incorporated into the determination. The below practices by AMC’s are not in the interest of protecting public trust and go...

Animosity Between Appraisers and AMCs 9

Animosity Between Appraisers and AMCs

AMCs control the money. We hear a lot about animosity between appraisers and AMCs and this doesn’t make for a good working relationship. Business relationships work best when it is in the best interest of both parties to be on a level playing field. Keep in mind that the AMC does nothing for the appraiser. They may provide a service for the Lender. Since this is a service that the lender has contracted with the AMC to provide, then the Lender should pay the AMC a fee based on the value of the service that lender receives (the appraiser is...

Appraisers and Their Lack of Fees - Appraisal Cost 12

Appraisers and Their Lack of Fees

I feel it’s only prudent to put my ten cents, or more, in on the subject of actual cost, versus paid fees for appraisals After an overwhelming outpouring of response from appraisers all over the country, I am compelled to write a follow up article to “Appraisals and The Real Cost of Doing Business.” I must stress that my original intent was to highlight the ever increasing cost in all aspects of our industry, passed on to our clients, due for the most part to increased compliance requirements, additional staffing required to monitor said compliance, Dodd Frank rules, HVCC, TRID...

Day Laborers Needed...Inquire at any AMC 6

Day Laborers Needed…Inquire at any AMC

Help Wanted – Day Laborers Needed …. Inquire at any AMC The Dodd Frank act requires the lender to be responsible for their agents. This means the lender is responsible for the actions of the AMC. Do the lenders know what their AMC’S are doing? Probably not. The Dodd Frank act also requires the most qualified appraiser be selected for each and every assignment. What vetting is done by the AMC’S to ensure the most qualified Appraiser is selected? Many AMC’S have the false mentality every appraiser is qualified and competent to appraise every piece of real estate. This simply...

VaCap Speaking out Regarding C&R Fees 8

VaCap Speaking out Regarding C&R Fees

CUSTOMARY AND REASONABLE FEES When Dodd Frank was passed a few years ago there was much discussion as to what it actually meant to lenders, appraisers, and AMCs. AMCs were quick and forceful in their definition. It was the fee they could coerce an appraiser into accepting. That was their definition. This has been a big impact on the well-being of an honorable profession. In June the Federal Final Rules were released, and they took effect in September of this year. These Final Rules clarified many questions regarding lending, appraising, and AMC involvement.   First, the Feds have made it very clear that lenders...

FFIEC Requested Action on TRID - Imagecredit Flickr - Johannes Ahlmann 6

FFIEC Requested Action on TRID

The American Guild of Appraisers, Chapter 44, of the Office and Professional Employees International Union of the AFL-CIO (AGA, OPEIU/AFL-CIO) wishes to add its name to the attached letter on behalf of our professional appraiser members, and our thirteen million consumer members and their families, with the additional concerns: As written, TRID necessarily embeds an appraisal fee cap determined by third party service providers other than appraisers, within the initial consumer disclosure provided to prospective borrowers. The perception of these providers as to what constitutes “customary and reasonable fees” as required under Dodd-Frank is at odds with what appraisers consider to...

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