Real Estate Appraiser Independence

Fannie’s New Forms: Something to Talk About

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… Read More

Appraisers Fighting Back!

Appraisers Fighting Back! by David Brauner, Editor The good news this issue is that there is plenty of good news to report on issues important to appraisers: curtailing mortgage fraud, limiting broker price opinions, putting the breaks on data mining of appraisal reports, understanding and combating blacklisting, supporting appraiser independence. The common theme is that… Read More

MARI: Solving the Blacklisting Mystery

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...… Read More

Federal Suit Alleges Misuse of Appraiser’ Data by FNC

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,...… Read More

Reporting and Stopping Mortgage Fraud

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...… Read More

Appraiser Blacklisting: Fighting Back

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...… Read More

AVM Tango! Man or Machine?

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...… Read More