Reporting and Stopping Mortgage Fraud by David Brauner Like many appraisers, Pamela Crowley is fed up with pressure from lenders to make a deal work. Unlike most, she is doing something about the problem that is working. And not only working for her but for the entire industry- appraisers and lenders. Crowley’s solution is the...…
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Editor’s Note: First of a multi-part series on report writing from Alan Carson. You can find the piece in its entirety by clicking Home Inspectors: Report Writing 101. Inspecting is Easy – Writing is Hard! by Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop An inspection report must serve both the inspector and the client. That’s why report writing...…
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Editor’s Note: Appraisers must watch for signs to try to understand market changes. Most are economically fueled, but other factors, such as the desire of families to move away, might be part of the changes as well. Many of the potential signs and factors are covered in this story by Beverly Bayer. Appraising a Deteriorating...…
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Appraising Golf Course Properties Steven R. Smith, MSREA, MAI, SRA We have a high-end appraisal of a home on a golf course to do. There are some things I have learned over the years that I can share with those who are interested in the nuances of determining locational values of golf course properties. Much...…
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Dealing with Pressure by David Brauner, Editor Few appraisers remain untouched by lender pressure to make a deal work, whether the demand is to “adjust” a property’s value or its condition. Besides losing business, honest appraisers are losing faith in their ability to practice their profession reputably, mainly because there are so many who don’t....…
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Appraiser Blacklisting: Fighting Back by Cary Barker, WRE Assistant Editor Blacklisting can do damage to your reputation, your bottom line and in some cases, your health- especially when you can’t get answers or help. Here’s how one appraiser, banned from the approved list of a large national lender, did get answers and ultimately, satisfaction- but not...…
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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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Pros and Cons: Lowering Fees in Slow Times This time of year inspectors agonize whether to lower fees to make it through the traditionally slow winter months. Appraisers are facing similar issues in this slowing real estate market. Some inspectors drop fees to generate business using “coupons” and “seasonal specials,” but seasoned pros say lowering...…
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Editor’s Note: As a new source of business, supplying Cost Segregation Studies for accountants, really adds up, according to appraisers Guy P. Reese, MAI and Kevin Cavasos, CMI. Learn why below. For more specifics on how these studies are prepared along with background, Cost Segregation Studies: Background. Cost Segregation Studies Why Working with Accountants Adds...…
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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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