Blog - Appraisal Today

Swiss guesthouse built into side of mountain Appraisers and Houses

By Ann O'Rourke on May 29, 2020 / Leave a comment

This 170-year-old Swiss guesthouse built into the side of a mountain is best accessed by a cable car.

Excerpt: The guesthouse and restaurant is quite literally built into a cliff, and its back wall is made up of the rock itself.

Its precarious perch makes it difficult to get to, and it’s only accessible after a steep hike along a mountain path or via cable car (the piano in the living room was brought in by helicopter). It’s been around for 170 years, and was originally a home for farmers; the guestbook goes back to 1940.

To check out the interesting fotos and brief description click here

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

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Posted in: adjustments, Coronavirus, Fannie, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market, unusual home

Tags: adjustments, appraisal how to, Coronavirus, Fannie, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, strange house

Defiant vs. Compliant Appraisers?

By Ann O'Rourke on May 22, 2020 / Leave a comment

Excerpt: Believe or don’t believe. Is there a parallel between appraisals and how people respond to pandemic warnings? Defiant vs. Compliant Appraisers?

Appraisal reviewers decide whether an appraisal is “worthy of belief” (“credible”) or not. Similarly, people decide whether to believe in the need for public health orders.

Steven Dinkin (president of the National Conflict Resolution Center) recently had some observations on the public’s response to the pandemic, dividing people into two groups: defiant or compliant. What is interesting is that each group has a belief that their thinking is the right thinking. Their opinion is the right opinion.

Let’s look first at the “defiants.” Some of these are defiant out of economic necessity – money. The need to eat can trump health risk. (Especially if the health risk is to other nameless strangers. “They have to take care of themselves.”) Guess what – food on the table comes first…

To read more, click here

My comment: I see a lot of appraiser comments online on both sides of controversial issues, including sometimes “sharp words”. Fortunately, almost all online appraisal places I go are moderated. Very negative or “flaming” posts are deleted. Sometimes appraisers are removed from the group after a few warnings.

The June issue of the monthly Paid Appraisal Today will have an article on this topic: “How to connect with appraisers online. What’s the best way for you?” I last wrote about this in January 2018. There have been a lot of changes since then!!

George Dell had a much longer article in the May issue of the Paid Appraisal Today.

Strange Appraisal Terms(Opens in a new browser tab)Humor

What to Do When Your Appraisal Is Under Review(Opens in a new browser tab)

Which Appraisal Clients are used the most?(Opens in a new browser tab)

To read lots more in this appraisal post, click read more below!!

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Posted in: adjustments, appraisal how to, FHA, george dell, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, Strange homes, unusual home, weird homes

Tags: adjustments, appraisal how to, Fannie, FHA, real estate market, strange house, unusal homes

Value, Accuracy, and Misleading for Appraisers

By Ann O'Rourke on May 15, 2020 / Leave a comment

On Value, Accuracy, and Misleading…and How They are Different From What You Might Think!

By Tim Andersen, MAI

Excerpt: Let’s start this musing by addressing the issues of value, accuracy, and misleading. You might have looked at them differently in the past. Then we’ll tie these in the idea of the value conclusion in an appraisal being right or correct.

State appraisal boards level charges against appraisers. It is very common for appraisers to defend themselves against these charges by insisting their value is “right”. Or, they assert they have properly supported their value conclusion, or something similar. In reality, this argument is utterly irrelevant and carries no weight with the appraisal board.

IRRELEVANT!?

When it comes to value, accuracy, and misleading, the appraiser’s value opinion alone is irrelevant and weightless. This is because TAF has given state appraisal boards specific instructions. Those instructions are that the appraiser’s value conclusion is not to be a part of the board’s investigation. Nor is it to be a part of its deliberations. Therefore, it is not to be part of the appraiser’s defense since it is not part of the charges against the appraiser.

To read more, click here

My comment: Tim is a regular contributor to the paid Appraisal Today. He is The USPAP Expert and helps appraisers stay out of trouble with their state boards!! Tim also has an interesting podcast – link is on the top of the page.

What to Do When Your Appraisal Is Under Review(Opens in a new browser tab)

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

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Posted in: Appraisal fees, commercial appraisal, Coronavirus, desktop appraisals, Fannie, FHA, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market, unusual homes, USPAP, webinars

Tags: appraisal fees, appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, Fannie, FHA, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, unusal homes

Infectious Disease Defined the American Bathroom: Appraisals

By Ann O'Rourke on May 8, 2020 / Leave a comment

Cholera and tuberculosis outbreaks transformed the design and technology of the home bathroom. Will Covid-19 inspire a new wave of hygiene innovation?

Excerpt: Alter predicted that disease-avoidance would rise to the fore of bathroom design a few years ago, when he observed the traumatizing effects of the 2003 SARS outbreak on Toronto, which killed 44 people. But home design in general — and bathroom design in particular — has long been influenced by infectious disease. This isn’t a linear narrative with clear causation, but rather a convergence of advancements in science, infrastructure, plumbing, sanitation and design trends.

The modern bathroom developed alongside outbreaks of tuberculosis, cholera and influenza; its standard fixtures, wallcoverings, floorings, and finishes were implemented, in part, to promote health and hygiene in the home at a time of widespread public health concerns.

To read more, click here

Very unusual bathrooms for appraisers(Opens in a new browser tab)

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

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Posted in: Appraisal fees, BATHROOMS, Freddie, humor, USPAP

Tags: appraisal fees, BATHROOMS, Coronavirus, Fannie, humor, mortgage loan volume, USPAP

Pandemic and market for buyers and sellers: Appraisals

By Ann O'Rourke on May 1, 2020 / Leave a comment

By Ryan Lundquist April 30, 2020

Excerpts: Buyers more sensitive about location & condition: For years buyers have been exhibiting sensitivity to adverse locations and homes that are not in pristine condition. In other words, buyers have higher expectations about what they

75 percent alcohol disinfectant alcohol spray nearby a house concept of disinfecting the house

are buying and they aren’t overlooking the true condition of a home or paying top dollar for junk. I expect going through a pandemic will only inflame this dynamic.

Cash out at the top: Some people are concerned about the market changing directions, so we’ll see certain owners try to cash out at the top so to speak. I’m not saying we’re at the top of a price cycle. I’m only saying some people think the pandemic has pushed us or will push us into a new price cycle.

To read more, click here

Personal note from Ryan: Appraiser John Carlson GoFundMe: John is a well-known appraiser in Southern California and he is going through a difficult time as he was diagnosed with cancer and hospitalized. I invite you to pray for him and donate if you can. To read more, click here.

My comments: I spoke yesterday with a local appraiser friend who is thinking about selling her house and moving to a smaller, lowered priced house. (She is 78 years old, one year older than myself, but still appraising.) No listings or pendings in her area. Seemed like a good idea to me.

On June 29, McKissock had a webinar ” Appraising in a Pandemic”. In the last half hour, Ryan gave the best presentation I have ever seen on what to put in your report about the current market, not just a “I don’t know anything disclaimer”. He also had a sample statement slide. The recording was not available by my deadline. I will send it to you in next week’s email.

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

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Posted in: Coronavirus, Mortgage applications, real estate market, state appraiser regulators, UAD, USPAP

Tags: appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, Fannie forms, mortgage loan volume, UAD, USPAP

The Sculptured House: An Appraisal Challenge

By Ann O'Rourke on April 24, 2020 / Leave a comment

The Sculptured House

Motoring down the scenic drive west on Highway 70, away from Denver, Colorado, into the foothills and sprawling mountains, an odd structure appears south of the freeway. An oval shape seems to float just above the trees at the top of a cliff, looking at the highway below. It would be understandable to think you’ve spotted a UFO, since the Sculptured House is known for its sci-fi history. The Sculptured House Is An Appraisal Challenge !!

To read more, click here

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

Appraising Weird Stuff is Challenging!(Opens in a new browser tab)

Appraisal Process Challenges(Opens in a new browser tab)

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Posted in: adjustments, Fannie, Mortgage applications, Strange homes, webinars, weird properties

Tags: adjustments, Fannie, strange house, weird properties

7 Things to Watch in your Appraisal Market

By Ann O'Rourke on April 18, 2020 / Leave a comment

Seven things to watch in real estate during a pandemic

April 14, 2020 By Ryan Lundquist

Excerpts:

1) Listings: We often think about listings increasing as a way to see the market changing, but right now many markets across the country are seeing fewer new listings. So at times change is best seen with less of something rather than more. It’s not a surprise to see fewer new properties during a pandemic, right?…

7) Prices: In real estate we are so obsessed with prices, but that’s really the last place to look to see the market. What I mean is change happens first in the areas above before showing up in sales stats a couple months down the road. In short, for now the slower pandemic trend hasn’t infiltrated sales price figures as of yet in Sacramento. This doesn’t mean the market is stable in every price range and location. All I’m saying is regional and county stats don’t show price declines right now. Normally I pull monthly price data, but I’ve switched to weekly in order to see the trend sooner rather than later.

To see the other 4 factors plus lotsa graphs and many appraiser comments , click here

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

Pandemic and market for buyers and sellers: Appraisals(Opens in a new browser tab)

Very, very funny appraisal video!!(Opens in a new browser tab)

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Posted in: adjustments, appraisal classes, appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, desktop appraisals, Fannie, FHA, Freddie, FUN, real estate market, va

Tags: adjustments, appraisal business, appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, Fannie, humor, mortgage loan volume, real estate market

Appraiser Recovers From COVID-19

By Ann O'Rourke on April 10, 2020 / Leave a comment

Appraiser/Educator Bryan Reynolds is recovering from COVID-19

I had a bit of a difficult time with this podcast. We like to think we’re invincible, immune, unaffected, but that’s silly. We are, at the end of the day, all vulnerable. This chat with my long time friend and partner, Bryan Reynolds, brought that realization home, in stark reality and made it tangible and personal. Appraiser Recovers From COVID-19.

People, we damn near lost Bryan. Please give this podcast a listen. I’ve posted it here, largely unedited. This podcast is the epitome of authentic.

Hal Humphreys

Partner Appraiser eLearning

The Appraisal Update – Episode 40 | Bryan Reynolds and COVID19

To listen, click go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-appraisal-update-episode-40-bryan-reynolds-and-covid19/

My comment: Listen to this podcast!! I saw the last podcast live on March 26. Hal Humphreys was the moderator, speaking from his front yard. He said that Dave had coronavirus. I am so glad that he is recovered! To watch his webinars, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClb6iDQvzQqj4GOiKSCp8EA

10-20 UPDATE: For lots of Covid analysis and news, go to my new covidscienceblog.com

Covid-19 Residential Appraisers Tips on Staying Safe

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

A very, very funny appraiser video!

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Posted in: appraisal business, appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, Fannie, FUN, humor, Mortgage applications

Tags: appraisal business, appraisal fees, appraisal regulations, Coronavirus, humor, mortgage loan volume

Appraiser Covid Survey Results April 2020

By Ann O'Rourke on April 9, 2020 / Leave a comment

Survey Results April 2020

April 1 Wednesday Facebook Poll results:

Doing interiors 142 – 57%

Turn down interiors 80 – 32%

Transiting away. 28 – 11%

Total 250

—————————-

Bradford software customers – Started April 30, last Monday

I took this survey.

Q1 Have you been been accepting new appraisal assignments? (check all that apply) (1,087 responses)

Responses

– I do Desktops using the new COVID-19 Flexibility Desktop addendum 29.35% 319

– I do Drive-bys using the new COVID-19 Flexibility Exterior addendum 49.22% 535

– I do traditional 1004s with interior and exterior inspections 65.96% 717

– Not doing appraisals during the pandemic crisis 8.92% 97

Q2 Did you know lenders will accept a desktop or drive-by in lieu of a traditional 1004 with interior inspection?

Yes 83.90% 912

No 16.10% 175

Q4 Would you complete an appraisal that included interior photos

completed by a homeowner if you could verify the photos were taken

inside the home?

Yes 72.13% 784

No 27.87% 303

Many thanks to Jeff Bradford for this data!!

Appraiser Recovers From COVID-19(Opens in a new browser tab)

Appraisal Humor

Appraisal business tips

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Posted in: appraisal business, cat, Coronavirus, Fannie

Tags: appraisal business, Coronavirus, Fannie

Appraisal Covid stats April 2020

By Ann O'Rourke on April 3, 2020 / Leave a comment

Hot real estate stats during the pandemic? FROM APRIL 2020

By Ryan Lundquist

Excerpts: I can see the headlines now. “Prices rose despite the coronavirus,” or “The housing market shows strength in March despite the pandemic.” But let’s step back and think critically about glowing stats from March and what they really tell us. I hope this will be helpful. Any thoughts?

Five good comments

#3. 3) What to watch right now: If you want to see the current market, watch what is happening in the listings and pendings rather than recent sales in March. Are listings moving or sitting? Are we seeing more price reductions? Are properties spending less or more time on the market? What is the sentiment among buyers and sellers? Who is gaining or losing power? Has there been a change to the number of listings and pendings? Do sellers have to give more credits to buyers? Are contracts getting bid up? Are contracts falling apart more often? We need to ask these questions in every neighborhood and price range. My advice? Look to neighborhood stats and let the numbers inform your narrative about what is happening in the market.