Standards Rule - Appraisers Blogs

Undercutting the Appraisal Profession

VaCAP Board — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 12:30:10 +0000

Proposed Revision to STANDARDS RULE 2-2…a change that would undercut the appraisal profession in a major way… Comments on the proposed changes to the 2022-23 USPAP are needed. The proposed changes to the reporting requirement of Standard 2 may impact the profession negatively and confuse the public on who we are and what we do. We ask that each and every one of you pause for a moment and comment by July 30th. Below is what was sent out to the Arizona Association of Real Estate Appraisers by Joanna Conde. Virginia also requires anyone using the title appraiser, be licensed....

USPAP Will No Longer Be Misleading Back in early February on Appraisalville, I questioned a new definition that appeared in USPAP for the term "misleading." Many others took…
Bringing Evaluations Under USPAP's Umbrella Evaluations: Concept Paper, Webinar, Public Meeting In early August, The Appraisal Foundation announced that the The Appraisal Standards Board would…
USPAP Appraisal Reviews in 15 Minutes? $15 USPAP Appraisal Reviews in 15 minutes? A VaCAP member shared with us something they read in an appraiser group…

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Not a Get Out of Jail Free Card

Dustin Harris — Fri, 22 May 2020 12:30:16 +0000

It is not misleading to use a 1004 form for a desktop or a drive-by because, during these convoluted times… In talking with Tim Andersen, a USPAP instructor and long-experienced appraiser, I was reminded that, even in the time of C-19, USPAP applies, and appraisals must still be credible. Reports must still not mislead. USPAP has never required the appraiser to inspect the property. That is a lender construct. So long as your scope of work is clear relative the level of inspection you provided, and why that was your scope of work, you should not have a problem. Note...

ANSI Measuring Standard Required in 2022 On December 15, 2021, Fannie Mae announced that it will be adopting ANSI Measuring Standard in 2022. Appraisers will be…
ANSI & Floor Plans Goofiness "...if you the appraiser are not required to inspect the property yourself, don’t you want to have a more detailed…
Diatribes Against Appraisers What’s even more frustrating to me is none of the well-known appraiser organizations have offered any public rebuttal to any…

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Are You Violating USPAP Every Day?

George Dell — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:30:24 +0000

Are you in “violation” of USPAP? If you pick comps the old way, you may be violating USPAP every day! The old way of selecting data worked well for the old days. Gather seven or eight that look good, go look at them, make a couple of phone calls, and pick four or five for your report. That was the way I was trained. That was the way the Appraisal Institute courses taught me. When I took the AI demo report course, three words were drilled into me: Explain, Justify, and Support. Then I took the required USPAP course. (Back then it still belonged...

Is SmartExchange Not USPAP-Compliant? Is Smartexchange Resulting in USPAP Non-Compliance? This blog is likely going to stir up controversy. It is likely going to…
USPAP is Unconstitutional? Gerald McNamara and Colleen Kudrick were admonished by the board in a five-count takedown. There is a lot of nuances…
Mueller REO Hybrid Appraisal Report Another Mueller Report has surfaced. The report is a Mueller REO Hybrid Appraisal Report and it was given to an…

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What is Truth or Accuracy for Appraisers?

George Dell — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 13:30:26 +0000

Are we supposed to be paid truth-seekers? The appraiser is supposed to be accurate. What is “accurate”? Dictionary meanings say accuracy is “the condition or quality of being true, correct, or exact.” Tell the truth. Can it be? Hmmm. A search for truth. OK. So how do we come to know the truth? Are we supposed to be paid truth-seekers? Cool. I read that there are four ways to “know” truth: Tradition, Authority, Insistence, and Science. Wow! Let’s look at these briefly. This sounds serious! Let’s look at USPAP and The Appraisal of Real Estate. Appraisers have long been steeped in the...

The New & Improved Fannie Mae “FRAUDULATOR 2.0” Originally known as Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter (CU), and subsequently Collateral Underwriter 2.0 (CU-2)i this always dubious product of Fannie…
The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its… For decades, we’ve been told that the problem is demand. That people don’t want to live in rural America anymore.…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…

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Adjustments: Now What?

George Dell — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 13:30:29 +0000

So, what are these methods and techniques? We’re told to “support” our adjustments. We hear words like “prove” your adjustments… as if there were some magic formula which can give an exact, correct, and absolutely true number. It used to be so easy… Our trainer gave us a sheet with the “right” adjustments. Simple. USPAP Standards Rule 1-1 says we must be aware of, understand, and correctly employ recognized methods and techniques. What are they? Who recognizes them? How do I apply them? So, what are these methods and techniques? Let’s look. In The Appraisal of Real Estate (ARE) p.46, it says: “Qualitative analysis techniques may also be...

Schizophrenic Adjustments Appraisers, I’ve written in the past about what I believe are strange ways to report adjustments in appraisals, and suggested…
Adjustments - Your Opinion Doesn’t Count Regulations state that appraisal adjustments cannot be based upon an appraiser’s opinion. According to federal and state law, adjustments must…
Fannie Mae Filed a Complaint Against Me An appraiser shared the following with us which was posted on one of the appraisers’ groups. Fannie Mae filed a…

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Can You Believe That? Hybrid Appraisal Part 4

George Dell — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 12:30:01 +0000

…non-appraiser inspector must not provide any significant appraisal assistance… This is Part Four in a series on Hybrid Appraisal. Be sure to read Part One, Part Two and Part Three. The term “hybrid appraisal” (as it’s currently used), means that the appraiser sits at a desk, while someone else (not an appraiser) looks at the property. It appears that the non-appraiser may or may not inspect the interior, measure the improvements – but always takes a front photo, similar to what can be found in MLS listings, or Google Earth street pictures. The basic claim is that the overall process is cheaper and faster, and...

Is that not Significant Assistance? Is the property inspection by an unlicensed person considered assistance? We came across an article written by fellow appraiser, George…
Who Benefits & Who Pays the Price? Why does a hybrid appraisal work better? What are the benefits? Who benefits? Who pays? A hybrid appraisal, as it…
Are Bifurcated Appraisals Legal in Your State? Lately there has been a push for bifurcated (hybrid) appraisal products. Those promoting these questionable products claim it will reduce…

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Road to Perdition

Michael Ford — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 12:30:01 +0000

It looks like USPAP and IVS are finally going to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. Didn’t Coca Cola already do that? It’s been awhile since I’ve harped about the International Valuation Standards (IVS) and the International Valuation Standards Council, or their inappropriate influence on USPAP. Perdition Road paving compliments of The Appraisal Foundation under sub contract to MISMO. Unnecessary Bridging from USPAP to IVS provided by TAF. For those unfamiliar with what (IVS) or who (IVSC) they are, the following link may help. Scroll down to the corporate sponsors section. THIS is who the ‘international sponsors’ are....

The New & Improved Fannie Mae “FRAUDULATOR 2.0” Originally known as Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter (CU), and subsequently Collateral Underwriter 2.0 (CU-2)i this always dubious product of Fannie…
Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process The story of this single mother's harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD's negligent oversight exposes deep flaws…
Fannie Mae Filed a Complaint Against Me An appraiser shared the following with us which was posted on one of the appraisers’ groups. Fannie Mae filed a…

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Purchase Season Protection

VaCAP Board — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:30:04 +0000

Our function as an appraiser is to estimate the market value… Sale Season 2017 We are entering the sale season and the market is beginning to pick up. The velocity of the upcoming sale season will hinge on inventory; currently there is an obvious shortage in many submarkets. Be prepared to handle challenging scenarios. Strong demand and low inventory can lead to multiple offers and escalation clauses. Market predictions for this year forecast a higher volume of sales from 2016. Keep the following USPAP Standards as well as the Definition of Market Value, as defined in your report, in mind...

Market Value in the Age of Big Data Infallibility "Practically" unsinkable! This isn’t a topic I generally spend a lot of time on. Partly because I am 'uneducated' (sans…
Market Action and Reaction I believe it is time that we take a practical look at what a subject's market is... Drawing on part…
The Site Value… A Walk in the Park or USPAP Nightmare? Recognized methods to determine the site value... We have all been there, the subject is located in an established neighborhood,…

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It’s Time to STOP the Foolishness

Michael Ford — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 12:30:53 +0000

STOP the constant parsing changes in all areas of USPAP I encourage ALL appraisers in the DC Metro area to attend the upcoming ASB Public Meeting on October 21, 2016. In a nut shell, my strong belief is that they need to STOP the constant parsing changes in all areas of USPAP. NOT ONE of the proposed changes is a necessary change. NOT ONE! No wonder state regulators no longer comprehend USPAP! If they need the extra money that selling new versions of USPAP produces, then just CHARGE US DIRECTLY! The purpose of FIRREA was to preserve the public’s trust...

We Need More Appraiser Drivers! Powerful ‘uncles’ gave us the vehicles, but we need more drivers! Stand up for yourself and oppose those things that…
Appraisal Standards Should Age Like Fine Wine Changes in Appraisal Standards?We have barely got into the "New" 2016-2017 copy of USPAP and the ASB is meeting on…
AGA Open Letter Regarding Changes to the Criteria Request for appraiser input on current and future educational / experience requirements... The AGA sent the below letter to the…

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Why Most Purchase Appraisals SHOULD come in Just Above the Purchase Price

Dustin Harris — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:30:56 +0000

“…You come in just above the purchase price…” How many times have you had this comment from someone who knows relatively little about the appraisal process, “I am not so sure about you appraisers. Seems like every time there is a purchase transaction needing an appraisal, you come in just above the purchase price. If the house is selling for $200,000, you come in at $202,000. If it is selling for $450,000, you come in at $460,000. Seems a little rigged to me.” Ever had a client get really upset when you asked to see the purchase contract before you...

USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
It’s Time to Take Out the Junk: AMC Practices Exposed Appraisers have spent years carrying the weight of broken AMC practices, and this article pulls every one of those practices…
Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process The story of this single mother's harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD's negligent oversight exposes deep flaws…

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Back to The Basics

Guest Author — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:30:35 +0000

…“preaching” about the basics of this industry… The more I read residential mortgage related appraisals, underwriter comments and comments from the quality assurance departments from major lenders, the more I have come to realize that it is far beyond time to get back to “preaching” about the basics of this industry. For those of you who have been in the business back when you would take the photos, pull it out of the camera, wait a few moments before you pulled the front off the photo before coating it with the “magic wand” to keep it from fading (thank you...

It’s Time to Take Out the Junk: AMC Practices Exposed Appraisers have spent years carrying the weight of broken AMC practices, and this article pulls every one of those practices…
The New & Improved Fannie Mae “FRAUDULATOR 2.0” Originally known as Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter (CU), and subsequently Collateral Underwriter 2.0 (CU-2)i this always dubious product of Fannie…
Dear Representative, FNMA Has Gone Rogue! Dear representative, waiving/eliminating property appraisal for lending purposes is wanton recklessness. Fannie Mae’s decision to waive/eliminate property appraisal for lending…

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2014-15 USPAP Modifications Released

Guest Author — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:30:58 +0000

2014-15 modifications to USPAP become effective 1/1/2014 In preparation of the new 2014-15 modifications to USPAP effective January 1, ASA’s Ethic’s Committee has prepared a brief summary outlining the modifications. The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) 2014-15 modifications to USPAP become effective January 1, 2014. These modifications include: Revisions to the DEFINITIONS of “Assignment Results” and “Scope of Work” — Based on comments received, there was a need to clarify the definition of ‘Assignment Results.’ In an appraisal assignment, assignment results currently include more than just the appraiser’s opinion of value, as the appraiser is responsible not only for the opinion...

Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process The story of this single mother's harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD's negligent oversight exposes deep flaws…
The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its… For decades, we’ve been told that the problem is demand. That people don’t want to live in rural America anymore.…
Removing the Definition of Personal Inspection Why is the ASB proposing to remove the definition of Personal Inspection? Several days ago, an appraiser posted the following…

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Appraisal Institute Discusses 2014-15 USPAP Updates

AppraisersBlogs — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:13 +0000

2014-15 USPAP updates In the organization’s latest YouTube video, the Appraisal Institute invited Paula Konikoff, JD, MAI, chair of the Appraisal Institute’s Professional Standards and Guidance Committee, to discuss 2014-15 USPAP updates, including the process the Appraisal Standards Board used to adopt the latest edition of USPAP, the new Report Options that will be part of the 2014-15 edition of USPAP, and other changes made that might impact appraisers. The Appraisal Standards Board adopted the 2014-15 edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, commonly known as USPAP, in February of 2013. Beginning in early 2012, the ASB released...

Sales Comparison Approach is Racist "...the modern appraisal industry perpetuates racial inequality through its continued use of the “sales comparison approach”... the sales comparison approach…
The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its… For decades, we’ve been told that the problem is demand. That people don’t want to live in rural America anymore.…
The New & Improved Fannie Mae “FRAUDULATOR 2.0” Originally known as Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter (CU), and subsequently Collateral Underwriter 2.0 (CU-2)i this always dubious product of Fannie…

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Differences Between Neighborhood and Market Areas & Analysis

AppraisersBlogs — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:30:33 +0000

Neighborhood is broad and general in nature… When examining appraisal reports, it is commonly noted that the Neighborhood section of the 1004 appraisal report contains data for sales of properties that are comparable and competing to the subject, rather than for sales of all homes of the same category (i.e., single family detached). Professional appraisal reference works, such as Appraising Residential Properties, 4th Edition (published by Appraisal Institute) address the differences between a “neighborhood” and a “market area.” Further, various Fannie Mae selling guides and announcements, and the HUD 4150.2 handbook contain guidance for appraisers regarding the analysis of neighborhood...

Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process The story of this single mother's harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD's negligent oversight exposes deep flaws…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
The Real Cause of the Home Value Gap Is the Income Gap Blaming appraisers for the income gap will never solve the real underlying problem... Blaming appraisers for the income gap is…

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Standards Rule - Appraisers Blogs

Undercutting the Appraisal Profession

Related Posts:

Not a Get Out of Jail Free Card

Related Posts:

Are You Violating USPAP Every Day?

Related Posts:

What is Truth or Accuracy for Appraisers?

Related Posts:

Adjustments: Now What?

Related Posts:

Can You Believe That? Hybrid Appraisal Part 4

Related Posts:

Road to Perdition

Related Posts:

Purchase Season Protection

Related Posts:

It’s Time to STOP the Foolishness

Related Posts:

Why Most Purchase Appraisals SHOULD come in Just Above the Purchase Price

Related Posts:

Back to The Basics

Related Posts:

2014-15 USPAP Modifications Released

Related Posts:

Appraisal Institute Discusses 2014-15 USPAP Updates

Related Posts:

Differences Between Neighborhood and Market Areas & Analysis

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