Tagged: appraisal profession

February 1, 2016

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...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / Customary & Reasonable Fees

January 29, 2016

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...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

January 28, 2016

Real Estate Appraisers…Who Are We?

Appraisers…Who are we? With the current requirements to enter the profession of real estate appraisal, it is likely that who we are will conceivably change in the coming years. Perhaps for the better? Or, it could be to the detriment of the professions. Appraisers today, and for many years prior to today, have come from a variety of prior jobs and professions. Many of us are former military, teachers, nurses, contractors, builders, home inspectors, real estate agents, lenders, accountants, environmental consultants and engineers, and minimum wage folks aspiring to better themselves. Some of us have dual roles as real estate...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisal Technology / Appraisers News / Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice / USPAP

You Are Not Alone - American Guild of Appraisers - AGA - Imagecredit Flickr - David Pacey

November 11, 2015

You Are Not Alone – AGA

How many appraisers do you know that are enthusiastic about the future of our profession? How many appraisers believe that they are alone in the fight to save their profession? How many appraisers do you know that feel trapped in a “no win” situation with increasing liability and time commitment without being properly compensated or appreciated? My name is Jan Bellas. I am the National Membership Coordinator for the American Guild of Appraisers (AGA). Please give me a few minutes to tell you how the AGA can help you and other professional real estate appraisers. AGA is a national organization focused...

AGA / AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations

Voice of Appraisal Podcast RE Coester vs. Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board (VREAB) Lawsuit - Imagecredit Flickr - Patrick Breitenbach

August 21, 2015

Lawsuit of Coester vs. VREAB

Voice of Appraisal Podcast RE Coester vs. VREAB Lawsuit Folks, Phil Crawford with Voice of Appraisal has another great podcast about the appraisal profession and the recent lawsuit filed in Virginia against the Real Estate Appraiser Board (VREAB). This is probably the most important Voice of Appraisal show to date. In this “must listen” podcast, Phil discusses Coester lawsuit against VREAB and AMCs’ unsustainable business model. He does a stellar job with his analysis and recommendations of Coester vs. VREAB lawsuit. Phil, a fellow appraiser, who has become a catalyst for change in the appraisal profession, stated in his earlier...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

August 17, 2015

Fate of Unlicensed AMC’s in Virginia

Fate of Unlicensed AMC’s in Virginia – All Eyes on VREAB Meeting The Virginia Real Estate Appraisal Board meeting on August 18th, 2015 will be historic and will set a precedent, not just for Virginia, but for the entire country. The fate of unlicensed Appraisal Management Companies (AMC’s) in VA will be decided. Other State Appraisal Boards, Appraisal groups, and AMC’S are watching this meeting and waiting on the outcome. Check out the agenda for the meeting on the town hall website. There are some well known AMC’S on this list! The meeting will be August 18th, 2015 @ 10:00...

AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

Appraiser-Client Relationship - Imagecredit Flickr - Dennis Hill

June 17, 2015

Don’t You Value our Relationship?

Relationships, we all have them. And despite the efforts of Dodd Frank to destroy them, we have somehow managed to keep them. A big bank that I had a great relationship dropped me because their portal system decided there were too many appraisers last year and left me hanging. No orders for a year. Now they’re busy and want me to do appraisals. Great! But between the portal fees, underwriting charges, title surpluses, software charges, destination charges, taxes, etc. the fee works out to be substantially lower than most work I have. They asked me “don’t you value our relationship?”. I replied where...

AI / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

June 5, 2015

The Appraisal Foundation Chocking The Appraisal Industry

The Appraisal Foundation Resisting Change The Appraisal Foundation sent out a correspondence stating the Appraisal Institute is undermining their authority. This was very one sided and off the mark. Everything changes. The appraisal business is changing. AI is staying on the fore front of this change. The Appraisal Foundation is resisting change. The Appraisal Foundation policies are chocking the appraisal industry. It is next to impossible to bring on new people. As a result the number of appraisers across the country in 2007 were 120,000 +/-. Today its about 70,000. The industry is changing and so must the policies. AI does not want to go back...

AI / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal News / Appraisal Organizations / Appraisers News

May 22, 2015

Protect Yourself with a Limitation of Liability Clause

Set Your Limits and Protect Yourself with a Limitation of Liability Clause In a recent case on the West Coast, a certified general appraiser was sued for professional negligence by a commercial lender. The lender had made a high-interest, short-term loan to an investor/developer for the purchase of a large parcel of land that the borrower planned to subdivide and sell as mini-ranches. The property was appraised for approximately $5 million in 2007, and the lender had loaned $3.2 million. Within months after closing, the borrower’s project began sputtering because of the financial crisis, and by early 2009, the borrower was in default. The property sold at...

Appraisal / Appraisal News / Appraisers News / E&O / Errors & Omissions

May 13, 2015

Scope Creep!!!

Seems like everyone hates AMC’s and scope creep. Scope Creep!! I ordered a sub at a sub shop. I love tomatoes! So I asked for extra tomatoes. I was charged. I took my car in for inspection. I told the mechanic since my car was up in the air and the tires were off to rotate the tires. I was charged. BUT, the tires were off. The cook’s hand was in the tomatoes. WHAT’s up? I was asked for two listings. I wanted to charge. I did a restricted report on an office building (sales comp approach only). The client called and wanted a cap rate, then an expense ratio. They refused...

AI / AMC / Appraisal / Appraisal Institute / Appraisal Management Companies / Appraisal News