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Generally speaking, how accurate do you find MLS data in your area?

By on April 13, 2016   /  Leave a comment
Take this week’s poll (week ending 4-15-16) : “Now that we have been living for some time with all the new rules governing residential appraisal, do you still enjoy doing the actual appraisal work?” Go to www.appraisalport.com and vote!!
Go to www.appraisaltoday.com/blog to post your comments and read other appraisers’ comments.
My comments: I have no idea why so many people think that MLS data is correct!! Of course, it does vary a lot among MLSs. In my area it is “reasonably accurate”, except public records data is often used (and the source disclosed). For example, on the weekly open house tour last week, an agent had 2 bedrooms in the listing, because “that is what public records says”. The second bedroom was tandem with another bedroom and very small. We all know how (inaccurate) public records are. Somehow, everyone, including some appraisers, think it is accurate. Or, worse, try to make their appraisals match public  records to avoid callbacks.
Posted in: appraisal, data, MLS
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4-7-16 Newz .Verifying sales .Big data .Weird bathrooms

By on April 7, 2016   /  Leave a comment

8 Bizarre Bathrooms from Around the World

“From pop-up toilets in city streets to a bathroom surrounded entirely by an aquarium, these public and private bathrooms are beyond bizarre-and you need to see them!”

Take a break from appraising and check these out. Definitely Weird!!

http://blog.rismedia.com/2016/keepin-it-weird-8-bizarre-bathrooms

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Recent acquisitions of appraisal and title companies

Another great commentary from Dave Towne. Thanks again, Dave!!

From the article in Housingwire.com:

First American Mortgage Solutions, a subsidiary of First American Financial Corporation, acquired Forsythe Appraisals, supplementing its existing valuation capabilities.

Forsythe Appraisals is one of the largest independent residential appraisal company in the United States and offers real estate valuation solutions with nationwide coverage.

Under the acquisition, Forsythe’s management team, including President and CEO John Forsythe, Senior Director of Customer Development Tim Forsythe and Chief Appraiser Alan Hummel, will continue to lead those operations.

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/36672-first-american-mortgage-snaps-up-valuation-veteran-forsythe-appraisals

Read more!! →

Posted in: adjustments, AMCs, appraisal, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, data, forecast, future, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, Podcasts, rental market, Strange homes, Uncategorized, unusual home, unusual homes, USPAP, weird homes
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3-31-16 Newz .College degree .1004mc .Home price recovery

By on March 31, 2016   /  Leave a comment

Man moves to San Francisco, pays $400 a month to sleep in wooden box in friends’ living room

Excerpts: With the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $3,670 a month, the city’s housing crisis has pushed frugal renters to the edge of their comfort limits.

From tents to trucks, the next logical step in San Francisco has taken shape – in the form of a literal box.

Very interesting!! Check out the comments, video, photos, and the rest of the article at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/29/man-moves-to-san-francisco-pays-400-a-month-to-sleep-in-wooden-box-inside-friends-living-room/

My comment: I live 10 miles from San Francisco. Rents in my city are well below San Francisco’s, but have increased 50% over the past 3 years. I don’t know anyone living in a box, but I do have friends who left the state to find affordable housing. Many others are worried that their rents will go way up any day. I am very glad I am an owner, not a renter. San Francisco has strict rent controls, but I don’t know if it applies to boxes… I gotta increase the rents on my apartments!! Greedy (or Evil) landlord ;>

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College degree requirement misguided

By David Brauner

Excerpt: The college degree requirement seems more like a forced attempt at elevating the status of the profession by closing the club, and that strikes me as elitist. Not everyone has the opportunity, resources or aptitude to attend and/or flourish in college…

The requirement is even more dubious when you consider that a degree in any subject passes muster for becoming a Certified Appraiser, no matter how unrelated (think French Literature for instance), while someone with the skills to flourish in this business would be shut out for all intents and purposes without a degree.

Read more!! →

Posted in: appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisers, Fannie, forecast, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, rental market
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3-24-16 NEWZ .What is a bedroom .GSE reform .Property taxes

By on March 24, 2016   /  Leave a comment

 Shushtar (Iran) Historical Hydraulic System

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.

Excerpt: The water streaming from the caves and tunnels of Iran’s Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System looks like it is flowing through ancient tunnels created by massive worms, but really, the elaborate system of waterworks was built by different civilizations over centuries of development.

Beautiful fotos. Very interesting!!

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/shushtar-historical-hydraulic-system

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Most popular links from the past two weekly email newsletters:

3/17/16:

Philadelphia’s original tiny houses

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/philadelphias-trinity-houses-are-the-original-tiny-houses

Repurchase Demands and Unacceptable Appraisal Practices by Rachel Massey

http://www.workingre.com/repurchasedemands/

Read more!! →

Posted in: appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, Appraisal Standards Board, appraiser shortage, appraisers, Fannie, fees, FHA, forecast, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, unusual home, unusual homes, USPAP, weird homes
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3-17-16 Newz .Pulling permits .Fannie FAQs .Refi revival

By on March 17, 2016   /  Leave a comment

Appraisal and Property Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

February 12, 2016

This FAQ document provides responses to common questions related to Fannie Mae’s property eligibility and appraisal policies. Following the FAQs, the Attachment on page 10 provides Guidelines for Using Market Conditions Addendum to the Appraisal Report (Form 1004MC).

https://www.fanniemae.com/content/faq/appraisal-property-report-faqs.pdf   

My comments: This document does not have a lot of new material, but it is always good to read this so you can cut and paste some of Fannie’s comments into your reports as an explanation. In this month’s paid Appraisal Today I had two articles on the 1004mc form:

1004MC – the good, the bad, and what Fannie says

Statistical errors in the 1004MC by George Dell, MAI, SRA – He has been fighting with Fannie since the form was first required in April 2009

 More articles are coming soon in the paid Appraisal Today on how to handle the issues.

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Tiny ‘Harry Potter-looking’ homes under construction in North Texas

Excerpt:

Builder Rudy Rivas’ newest house would fit inside the master bedroom of the custom homes he constructs in North Texas.

The average new home being built in America is more than 2,700 square feet – the biggest ever.

So why’s a Dallas custom builder starting a 180-square-foot house?

Read more!! →

Posted in: adjustments, AMCs, appraisal, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, appraiser shortage, Fannie, fees, forecast, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, trainees
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Poll – Do you still enjoy appraisal work after all the new rules?

By on March 12, 2016   /  Comments Off on Poll – Do you still enjoy appraisal work after all the new rules?

Poll: Now that we have been living for some time with all the new rules governing residential appraisal, do you still enjoy doing the actual appraisal work?

www.appraisalport.com

My comments: Hmmm…. All the analyses (Appraisal Foundation, Appraisal Buzz, etc.) about the appraiser “shortage” don’t seem to mention this. How many appraisers are working for AMCs? Low fees are mentioned sometimes. They also don’t mention the “brain drain” of experienced appraisers not willing to work for AMCs. Many appraisers that I know do little, if any, AMC work.

Who wants more appraisers? AMCs. Supply and Demand. The more appraisers there are, the more the fee competition, and the lower fees.

Once again, they also just look at “appraisers” There few problems with commercial appraiser “shortages” due to the issues above because they don’t work for AMCs, although fees are low in many areas, including where I live. Definitely no trainee problems.

Direct lenders have increased requirements, but you know what they are and don’t get 5-15 pages of “requirements” plus call backs. Yes, there are shortages in rural areas that are not close to a metropolitan area where appraisers travel from (less than 2 hour drive, one way, for example). Shortages of rural appraisers is nothing new. It has always been that way.

I wrote about this issue in the November 2015 issue of the paid Appraisal Today: “Staying positive with unreasonable fees and Scope Creep from AMCs”

I also spoke about it on a Dustin Harris 12/13/15 podcast, “How to Stay Happy as an Appraiser”

Click here to listen

http://theappraisercoach.libsyn.com/075-how-to-stay-happy-as-an-appraiser-with-ann-orourke

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Posted in: AMCs, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, fees
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5-12-16 Newz – Geographic competency – Killing home values – Fair housing

By on March 12, 2016   /  Leave a comment

The Most Insane Property Description Ever

Short descriptions, click here for some humor!! Reminds me of the times I am driving to the subject, hoping the house ahead is not the one I am appraising… Probably not the Most Insane, but definitely reality-based!!

http://www.thebrokeagent.com/blog-1/2016/4/the-most-insane-property-description-ever

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These Neighborhood Amenities Can Kill Your Property Value

Excerpt: In real estate, the phrase “cash is king” is oft overused. However, if you’re struggling to sell a house in a bad ‘hood, then you already know that in reality, location is king. Purchasing a home in a great area, or an area that is up-and-coming, can help maximize the value of your home investment.

So what can tear your property value down faster than a tree through the roof? The following infographic from Realtor.com offers insight-and some will surprise you!

Link to original article:

http://blog.rismedia.com/2016/these-neighborhood-amenities-can-kill-your-property-value

My comment: Of course, the effect on value varies by location – cemeteries for example.

Read more!! →

Posted in: AMCs, appraisal business, appraisers, Fannie, fees, FHA, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, Strange homes, unusual homes, weird homes
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3-10-15 Newz – Pulling permits, Fannie FAQs, Refi revival etc.

By on March 10, 2016   /  Leave a comment

Appraisal and Property Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

February 12, 2016

This FAQ document provides responses to common questions related to Fannie Mae’s property eligibility and appraisal policies. Following the FAQs, the Attachment on page 10 provides Guidelines for Using Market Conditions Addendum to the Appraisal Report (Form 1004MC).

https://www.fanniemae.com/content/faq/appraisal-property-report-faqs.pdf

My comments: This document does not have a lot of new material, but it is always good to read this so you can cut and paste some of Fannie’s comments into your reports as an explanation. In this month’s paid Appraisal Today I had two articles on the 1004mc form:

1004MC – the good, the bad, and what Fannie says

Statistical errors in the 1004MC by George Dell, MAI, SRA – He has been fighting with Fannie since the form was first required in April 2009

More articles are coming soon in the paid Appraisal Today on how to handle the issues.

Read more!! →

Posted in: AMCs, appraisal, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraiser shortage, Fannie, fees, FHA, forecast, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, Strange homes, trainees, Uncategorized, unusual home, unusual homes
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Newz 3-3-15 Abandoned places, Late appraisal, Cost vs value, Fees

By on March 3, 2016   /  Leave a comment
Spam blockers are going wild!!! I have made some changes in subject line and some changes in newsletter content so more subscribers will get this newsletter. I can’t even mention some of the changes as using the words may send this email to spam!!!
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17 abandoned places around the world
Take a break from your appraisals with these Interesting Links!!
 
Here are a few:
1.  House of the Bulgarian Communist Party – Mount Buzludzha, Bulgaria
9. Michigan Central Station – Detroit, Michigan, United States
10. Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Good for taking an appraisal break!!
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Read more!! →

Posted in: AMCs, appraisal, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, Fannie, fees, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, state appraiser regulators, Strange homes, unusual home, weird homes
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Newz 2-25-16-True cost of low fees, FHA appraisals, Worst street names, Appraisers with guns

By on February 25, 2016   /  Leave a comment

20 worst street names

Excerpt:

I’m sure the folks on Cannibal Road are lovely people, I just won’t be attending any of their dinner parties. These are the streets that you don’t want to find yourself driving down – trust us, no good can come from a stroll on Buckets of Blood Street. Proceed with caution..

http://heavy.com/comedy/2012/12/the-20-worst-street-names/

Thanks (again) to Jonathan Miller for this great link!!

What are the strangest street names you have seen?

POST YOUR STRANGE STREET NAMES BELOW AND READ OTHER COMMENTS!!

My comment: Yes, there is an O’Rourke Street in a nearby city!!

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How many appraisers are doing FHA appraisals now?

From www.appraisalport.com

My comment: I suspected that most appraisers will do them even with all the additional work required. Only 13% have given up FHA appraisals.

Read more!! →

Posted in: AMCs, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, appraisers, Fannie, fees, FHA, forecast, future, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, state appraiser regulators, Strange homes, unusual homes, weird homes
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