Editor’s Note: A desktop appraisal product introduced last month is the subject of concern among many Working RE readers and OREP.org members. Below is guidance issued by the North Carolina Appraisal Board. AMC-Desktop Product: USPAP Compliant? By David Brauner, Editor A new desktop product from a large, national appraisal management company (AMC) is drawing questions...…
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Editor’s note: Determining what is or is not a “stable” market in these turbulent times is confusing for some. Appraisers report having appraisals rejected because the “Declining Market” box is checked on the Fannie Form. Others say they would be admonished for not indicating a declining condition. As always, the best advice is to be...…
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Who Owns the Data? By David Brauner, Editor Here’s a riddle: what do the following have in common: copyrighting appraisals, the Intended User/Intended Use provision in USPAP, Item 21 on the Fannie Mae form, data mining and the FNC lawsuit, automated appraisals (AMVs), and perhaps, the future of appraising? Apparently, they have everything in common....…
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Fannie’s New Forms: Something To Talk About The latest version of the new Fannie Forms are set to go into use soon. These forms for appraising single-family residential and small income-producing properties have some very disturbing and questionable requirements within the certification pages. One of the biggest concerns for appraisers is items #21. If you…
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Editor’s Note: The following Q&A with MARI results from its name coming up again and again as the source of complaints against appraisers. The responses are from Merle Sharick, Vice President – National Manager of Business Development, Mortgage Asset Research Institute (MARI), a ChoicePoint company. Mr. Sharick has been at MARI for four years, after...…
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Editor’s Note: You can find the class action, filed by a group of appraisers against FNC, Inc., at the bottom of this page. Federal Suit Alleges Misuse of Appraisers’ Data by FNC by David Brauner, Editor In a federal class action, a group of appraisers from across the country has filed a complaint against FNC,...…
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Editor’s Note: A recent online debate about AVMs highlights the many facets of this very important issue and underscores the wide divergence of opinion among appraisers about the place of AVMs in the lending process, and in the marketplace. The conversation was sparked by the story Copyright Appraiser Takes on AVMs. AVM Tango! Man or...…
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Editor’s Note: Tim Vining, MAI is at it again. Vining is the appraiser who made national news by bringing the first appraisal copyright infringement lawsuit. The case settled in his favor. This time he is taking on AMVs. Read how and why below. “Right on to Tim Vining! Please let him know hard-working appraisers support him.” – Eve…
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Editor’s Note: After 25 years of serving the appraisal industry, Bradford Technologies CEO Jeff Bradford introduces a new online community for appraisers designed in the belief that there is strength in numbers. Brave New World for Appraisers: Welcome to AppraisalWorld™ By Jeff Bradford For the last 25 years, Bradford Technologies has been selling software and...…
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Clarifying Copyright (by Someone Who Knows) by Tim Vining, MAI As the appraiser who brought suit in federal court for copyright, I wish to address and clarify some comments made in writing in other appraisal industry publications. Whether you realize it or not, once pen is put to paper the author has copyright protection. In...…
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