Nearly two years have passed since Working RE first reported the story of John Dingeman, an appraiser who faced the difficult choice of either violating USPAP's Confidentiality Section or suffering the wrath of JP Morgan Chase by refusing. Finally, this holiday season, there is some good news to share.
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Home Inspector Liability In today’s real estate atmosphere, a huge issue for home inspectors is managing their liability. Working RE strives to protect their inspector readers and provide informative articles concerning home inspector liability. These are a few stories for Home Inspectors that tell real life stories, give advice, and provide tips for reducing and…
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Real Estate Appraiser Insurance OREP Insurance Services is a leading provider of Appraisers Errors & Omissions Insurance for real estate appraisers. In addition to the lowest rates and broadest coverage, that is customized for real estate appraisers to fit their individual appraising needs, OREP provides timely information to help appraisers limit their liability and increase…
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You may be interested to hear what (at least one) Appraisal Management Company (AMC) thinks about the effect of low-bid appraisal ordering on quality, the topic of last issue’s News Edition (Low Bid Appraisal Ordering and Its Effect on Quality).
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A recent lawsuit filed against Stearns Lending and its AMC, Trimavin, by the AMC’s former Chief Appraiser, Katherine A. Scheri, alleges that many of the practices that led to the extensive regulation of the appraisal industry are alive and well at one AMC/lender at least.
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The question raised by many seasoned appraisers familiar with this type of ordering system is what kind of quality does such a “low-bid” appraisal ordering system produce?
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Industry News Scope Creep Relief Here is Addendum Language shared by appraiser Laurie Richards. MODIFICATIONS TO A SUBMITTED ORIGINAL REPORT: The client or lender must submit in writing (e-mail is preferred) any request for additional information or modification to the appraiser. This information will be retained in the appraiser’s workfile. The appraiser recognizes that…
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Readers Respond Interview: Appraiser Who Brought Down Countrywide Thank you, Mr. Lagow, for having the courage to speak up to help society. Your efforts were NOT in vain. Although mortgage work is tempting and easy at times, these type of situations force us (appraisers) to look at who we are and what is important.…
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Like being in the middle of a paintball free-for-all, messy things are coming at appraisers from all sides these days. In addition to lenders trying to pin buybacks on the backs of appraisers (while seeming to ignore the wild-west underwriting practices that floated the bubble), State Boards also are bringing complaints against appraisers in…
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Editor’s Note: At OREP, we see that incorrect measurements are the cause of many E&O claims. Here are some tips on staying out of trouble. How to Report Building Areas Accurately (and avoid measurement mistakes) by Mark S. Langhamer As appraisers and review appraisers, some of us have seen fellow appraisers relying on building area...…
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