Real Estate Appraisers

Customary and Reasonable Assignments

Editor’s Note: Andy Anderson looks around and ahead toward fixing a now broken appraisal profession. Customary and Reasonable Assignments By Andy Anderson The appraisal profession was not broken. Just like other professions, there were (and are) some bad actors, but appraising was not broken and should have been allowed to do its job correctly. That is not… Read More

Mobile Appraising: Saving Both Time and Money

Mobile Appraising: Saving Both Time and Money By Dustin Harris, “The Appraiser Coach” Appraisers who are truly ‘mobile’ are using laser measurers, tablet PCs or smartphones, and software to upload reports remotely to the office to be more competitive- to save time and money. As I travel the country mentoring various appraisal business owners, I… Read More

Turning Tide? Appraiser Independence Legislation

Turning Tide? Appraiser Independence Legislation * Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act * CRS report on H.R. 3915 * Explanation of HOEPA loans * H.R. 1852: Expanding American Homeownership Act Still Pending in Congress * The Homeownership Preservation and Protection Act of 2007 * H.R. 1723: Fair FHA Appraisal Act, or visit http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h1723/show * H.R.… Read More

Report and Analysis: Readers Respond

Report and Analysis: Readers Respond (Read Article) What Appraisers Say >> “Mr. Kantorovich (quoted in the first story) is accurate in his assessment of the Cuomo deal. Pressure on appraisers will not be eliminated but shifted from the brokers to the AMCs. Quality will suffer further as AMCs require an eight-hour turnaround time and they preset… Read More

USPAP Q&A

Editor’s Note: The following Q&A is from Lee Hess, PhD, author of Navigating USPAP. “The USPAP Q&A that have appeared in Working RE previously have generated many additional questions from readers,” said Hess. “Here are more questions and answers that affect the every day practice of appraising.” USPAP Q&A: Clarifying Competency, Reviews, Past Sales &… Read More

Sincerity vs. Competency

Sincerity vs. Competency By Diana Jacobs Question: “Can you believe in your heart that you did the right thing and still be wrong?” The answer is yes. Why? Because USPAP instructs us that “ethics” are about intent while “competency” is about judgment and execution. When developing a “scope of work” decision, professional appraisers are not...… Read More