A Word of Caution: Hold your Tongue by David Brauner Sometimes it is better to count to 10 before speaking or writing in anger: especially if you don’t want to be sued. One appraiser learned the hard way. Recently, an appraiser was planning to fire off a letter to his state banking commission along the...…
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Compliant Appraisers: Creating a Level Playing Field A growing number of appraisers are compelled to turn in colleagues for what, in their judgment, is incompetence and/or fraud. Here is a template of an actual complaint which was heard and acted upon by a state board. Phil Rice, appraising eight years, said he filed this complaint...…
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– “Absolutely first-rate SCOPE book.” – Leroy Michael Eide, CCIM – “I compliment you on an exemplary product.” – Red Blumenstock Editor’s Note: If you’re like Leory Eide or Red Blumenstock (quoted above) or one of the over 13,000 other appraisers who enjoyed a free download of Appraising in the New Millennium: Due Diligence and...…
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Editor’s Note: WRE reported last issue that according to the FBI, state regulators and appraisers themselves, fraud and identity theft are rampant throughout the industry (Best of Show, Feb. 2006). One fraud prevention expert told us that thieves don’t even need your digital signature to fabricate an appraisal in your name; all they need is...…
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“Virtual” Debate: What does “Inspection” Mean? Technology may have evolved enough to make “virtual” inspections a reality but do they meet state and other regulatory guidelines? Is it ok for supervising appraisers to use trainees as surrogates to inspect properties? As technology advances, and the use of trainees becomes more widespread, these questions are on...…
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Editor’s Note: If you wonder what it takes to be a great mentor, Karen Oberman, SRA and Alan Hummel, SRA provide the following roadmap. If you are a young (or not so young) appraiser looking to improve, let the following serve more as a treasure map for a bright and successful future. Appraiser Treasure Map:...…
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How to Make Six Figures Appraising by David Brauner, Editor What began as a “pep talk” for trainees turns out to be pretty good advice for every appraiser. Walt Humphrey, IFAC, was reading the online laments of several trainees struggling to make ends meet while earning their appraising stripes- working a second job on weekends,...…
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2006 Your Way by John Holbrook About seven years ago I remember walking into my local one-hour photo shop and telling the owner Steve that I wouldn’t be dropping in anymore. I was so proud of my new $700 digital camera that I just had to share it with him. I remember him chuckling about...…
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Reduce Headaches: Customer Satisfaction Survey by Nick Gromicko, Founder of NACHI NACHI’s Customer Satisfaction Survey hits seven birds with one stone. 1. It limits your liability. Often, a client who is dissatisfied will describe your services to his/her agent/Realtor (or worse, a judge) much differently than the truth. Procuring and maintaining a copy of this survey will bring them back...…
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Interview with David Braun MAI, SRA author of Appraising in the New Millennium: Due Diligence and Scope of Work- Second Edition Editor’s Note: If you’re like Leory Eide or Red Blumenstock or one of the over 13,000 other appraisers who enjoyed a free download of Appraising in the New Millennium: Due Diligence and Scope of...…
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