Appraising Unique Properties

Unique Properties, Rocket Mortgage Sues HUD, Trump Shifts in Housing Market?

December 13, 2024

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

    • LIA ad – Each appraisal is unique
    • The Ultimate Guide to Unique Property Appraisals
    • America’s Most Expensive Property Is Sitting in a Flood Zone—Will Anyone Buy the $295 Million Estate?
    • Rocket Mortgage Sues HUD Over Regulatory, Enforcement Discrepancies
    • Donald Trump’s Second Term Could Bring ‘Significant Shifts’ to the Housing Market
    • Report: What’s Driving the Recent Refi ‘Boom?’
    • Mortgage applications increased 5.4 percent from one week earlier
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The Ultimate Guide to Unique Property Appraisals

Excerpts: When faced with a truly unique property, the standard approach of pulling recent comparable sales from the neighborhood simply won’t cut it.

These properties require a real estate appraiser with a different mindset and a more creative approach to valuation.

Here’s a quick break down of exactly how unique property appraisals differ from traditional approaches:

Breaking Down the Time Barrier

One of the most common misconceptions is that we can only use recent sales. For unique properties, this simply isn’t true. Here’s why:

Expanding Geographic Boundaries

Location matters, but for unique properties, finding truly comparable homes often requires the appraiser to look beyond the immediate neighborhood:

The Bottom Line

Appraising unique properties requires breaking free from traditional constraints while maintaining professional standards.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Good summary of the issues. Read the details plus a table comparing traditional and unique properties. Almost all appraisers appraise unique properties, if only occasionally. This is written for real estate agents, but very useful for appraisers.

I regularly hear about AMCs trying to find an appraiser to do one of these properties. They keep shopping for low fees and fast turn times. After a while they finally go with the appraiser who can do them at a good fee and reasonable turn times.

If you can appraise unique properties you have a substantial advantage over less experienced appraisers. Now is an excellent time to try doing one, especially if your business is slow now.

Read more!!

10 Appraisal Myths

Newz: 10 Appraisal Myths, AMCs – Appraiser Ripoffs –  AMC Junk Fees

November 29, 2024

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • LIA – Intended Use and User
  • Don’t Fall for These 10 Real Estate Appraisal Myths
  • Extraordinary 4-Story Megamansion With Rooftop Putting Green and 2 Pools Lists for $78 Million
  • Now What? On a New Trump Administration
  • Outrage Over Connect by ValueLink’s New Monthly “Junk Fee”
  • Mortgage applications increased 6.3 percent from one week earlier

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10 Real Estate Appraisal Myths

By Tom Horne

Excerpts: In this week’s post, I dispel some common appraisal myths that have been around for years.

10 Appraisal Myths

Myth #1: All real estate appraisers are the same

Myth #2: Appraisals are the same as the Zillow Zestimate

Myth #3: The appraisal always comes in at the contract price

Myth #4: The appraiser is working for the buyer

Myth #5: Cost always equals value

Myth #6: Comps must be within one mile of the subject property

Myth #7: Agents and appraisers cannot talk

Myth #8: Appraisals and home inspections are the same

Myth #9: Assessed value will equal market value

Myth #10: The “new” appraisal methods are better than the old

To read more, Click Here

My comments: I’m sure you have heard some, or all, of these questions. I have heard them. Read the full post to see the answers you can use.

This blog post is written for newer real estate agents, but a good reminder of what many other people think. For example, when I say I am a real estate appraiser, many people ask if I have any listings. They think I am an agent and don’t know what appraisers do. Unfortunately, that is the main reason appraisers have difficulty when trying to communicate appraisal issues. Few listened to appraisers speaking out about fraud before the 2008 crash. What did we residential lender appraisers get to “fix” the problem? AMCs.

I don’t know why the appraisal associations have never done much to let people know about what appraisers do.

Read more!!

Appraisal Cost Approach and Highest and Best Use

Newz: Now What For Appraisers After Election? Generative AI and adjustments?

November 15, 2024

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • (LIA ad) Intended Use and User
  • 10 Questions on the Cost Approach and Highest and Best Use
  • A Real-Life ‘Yellowstone’: Historic 52,000-AcreArizona Ranch Hits the Market for $42 Million—Complete With a Private Airstrip and Off-Grid Cabin
  • Now What? On a New Trump Administration
  • Can Generative AI solve the adjustment support paradigm
  • How Deep Fakes Have Burrowed Into Home Finance
  • Murder in the flying saucer: inside The Chemosphere in Los Angeles, CA
  • Mortgage applications increased 0.5 percent from one week earlier
  • So Many Appraisal Cost Approach Questions
  • Appraisal Business Tips 
    Humor for Appraisers


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10 Questions on the Cost Approach and Highest and Best Use

By Timothy Andersen

Excerpts: It is clear most appraisers do not like to perform the analytics inherent in the Cost Approach. This may be because most appraisers simply do not appreciate its power. Consider these 10 Cost Approach questions.

10 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Take a look at these 10 questions on the Cost approach (and various items related to it). After you are finished, you will still not like to do it. But you may appreciate its analytical and interpretative powers even more.

1. On the 1004 form is the indication that Fannie Mae does not require the Cost Approach to Value. However, where does the form instruct the appraiser not to complete the analytics of the Cost approach? (Spoiler Alert: It does not.)

2.   Instructions on the form state the appraiser is to “…[p]rovide adequate information to the lender/client to replicate the [herein] cost figures and calculations.” However, where does the typical appraiser provide such replicable information?

3. In addition, the reporting form requires the appraiser to “…[s]upport the opinion of site value [with a] summary of comparable land sales or other methods for estimating site value.” Nevertheless, where does the typical appraiser provide such summary information?…

So, it is clear from these Fannie Mae instructions that the appraisal of a SFR includes an analysis and valuation of the subject site separate from the valuation of the site as improved. Does this mean to conclude a site value as if the subject site were vacant and available to be put to its highest and best use? (Spoiler Alert: Yes, it does.)

To read all 10 Q&As, Click Here

My comments: Of course, for custom home construction the Cost Approach is required to determine the feasibility of construction before building the home. I got some good ideas on using the Cost Approach from this article.

Read more!!

Appraisal Value Vs. Sale Price

AI and Appraisal Success, Cindy Chance Terminated (Appraisal Institute CEO)

September 20, 2024

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • Using Trainees, the Safe Way
  • Appraised Value Vs. Sale Price
  • Converted $500K Minnesota Bank With Historic Vaults and Bulletproof Glass
  • How AI Tech is Reshaping Appraisal Success
  • From Panic to Profit: One Appraiser’s Story of Survival and Growth
  • Cindy Chance Terminated (Appraisal Institute CEO)
  • Mortgage applications increased 14.2 percent from one week earlier

Appraised Value Vs. Sale Price

Excerpts: Property sellers often ask professionals who are performing appraisals for mortgage lending, “Why is an appraisal even needed? The buyer and I have already agreed on a sale price.” However, when it comes to appraised value vs. sale price, they are not the same thing.

What is Value?

Value is defined in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) as:

“The monetary relationship between properties and those who buy, sell, or use those properties, expressed as an opinion of the worth of a property at a given time.

Comment: In appraisal practice, value will always be qualified—for example, market value, liquidation value, or investment value.”

What is Sale Price?

Unlike value, price is not an opinion. It is a fact. Price is defined in USPAP as:

“The amount asked, offered, or paid for a property.

Comment: Once stated, price is a fact, whether it is publicly disclosed or retained in private. Because of the financial capabilities, motivations, or special interests of a given buyer or seller, the price paid for a property may or may not have any relation to the value that might be ascribed to the property by others.”

What’s the Difference Between Sale Price and Appraised Value?…

If a property is under contract for purchase at $450,000 and an appraiser provides a market value appraisal of $425,000 for the property, the $450,000 sale price is a fact, while the $425,000 appraised value is the appraiser’s opinion. The $450,000 price is what the property is actually selling for. The $425,000 market value opinion is what the property should sell for, under the specific conditions of the definition of market value.

The Appraiser’s Role

Properties don’t always sell for what they should. Depending on many factors, including the motivations and negotiating skills of the parties involved, a property might sell for more than its value, less than its value, or right at its value.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Short and worth reading. Good analysis – for newer and more experienced appraisers.

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AI and Appraisers

August 30, 2024

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • New AMC client. They’ve asked me to provide a list of other AMCs I work with and how long I’ve been working with them before they accept me. Is this a common requirement?

  • AI Appraisals: Embracing the Future Appraisal

  • 5 Enormous Mansions, With Wildly Different Architectural Styles—Priced at Under a Million Bucks

  • Is appraisal accuracy measured by contract price?

  • Redfin Reports 6 of Every 7 People With Mortgages Have an Interest Rate Below 6%

  • 110 Nightmarish Home Inspector Scenarios

  • Mortgage applications increased 0.5 percent from one week earlier

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Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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AI Appraisals: Embracing the Future Appraisal

By Jim Amorin

Excerpts:

Image Recognition

AI can analyze property images to identify features and property conditions, and even estimate dimensions with remarkable accuracy. This technology accelerates the inspection process, allowing appraisers to focus their expertise on more nuanced aspects of the valuation where their experience and judgement are most critical.

While some may worry about image recognition taking away from the appraisers’ skills, it is more useful to see it as a supplement to your own eyes. The visioning capabilities (image recognition) of AI can reinforce your own observations. Using the generative capabilities of a large language model such as ChatGPT coupled with the visioning tools, some of the narrative description of the property can be streamlined for the appraiser.

Enhanced Reports

Another appraiser leveraged AI tools to generate detailed market analysis reports. These reports included data visualizations and trend analysis that provided clients with a deeper understanding of the market, ultimately enhancing the appraiser’s service quality and client satisfaction.

Summary

AI is not a threat to appraisers but a powerful ally. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, appraisers can enhance their efficiency, accuracy, and overall service quality. The unique judgment, expertise, and contextual understanding that appraisers bring to their work are irreplaceable. Embracing AI as a tool will ensure that appraisers continue to play a vital role in the real estate industry, delivering unparalleled value to clients and shaping the future of real estate appraising.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Amorin’s new book is very well written and understandable. Craig Gilbert wrote an extensive review of the book “The Generative Shift: A Thorough Examination of AI” and interviewed Amorin, in the July, 2024 issue of Appraisal Today.

I have not used AI for my appraisals but follow its use in other applications, such as medical. For example, I have had many mammograms over the years. A recent study found that an artificial intelligence system has an accuracy rate of about 90 percent, compared to an overall average of 80 percent by radiologists. “Notably, when radiologists used this tool as a second reader, their performance improved,” says Dr. Moy. “So we want to reach that sweet spot where we use both.”

A friend had dense breasts. Her mammograms never detected the small tumors scattered through both breasts before her breast removal surgery, where they found them. Bad News

Read more!!

AVM Accuracy?

Bank AVMs Are As Wildly Inaccurate As A Zestimate – But Will Be Regulated As Legitimate Values

By Jonathan Miller

June 24, 2024

Excerpts:

  •    AVMs are incredibly inaccurate and are being misused in property valuation
  •    AVMs don’t consider the condition of a home
  •    The mortgage industry’s push toward automation has reduced valuation accuracy

AVM or Automated Valuation Models have been incorrectly seen as the human-less way to value property. The technology has been drifting into mortgage lending reliance for more than a decade because it has been marketed as having the ease of “pushing a button.”

The Zestimate product by Zillow introduced the consumer to the concept nearly twenty years ago…

The recent ruling to regulate the credibility of AVMs by the OCC and FDIC essentially legitimized the use of AVMs in lending. The driver behind this final rule was to eliminate potential bias in valuations by replacing appraisers with AVMS. Yet the Urban Institute study Revisiting Automated Valuation Model Disparities in Majority-Black Neighborhoods said: But even with data improvement and artificial intelligence, we still find evidence that the percentage magnitude of AVM error is greater in majority-Black neighborhoods. This finding indicates that we cannot reject the role historic discrimination has played in the evaluation of home values.

AVM software is built by humans who have inherent biases. The void in representation by the appraisal industry over the past decade on the AVM issue, to talk about those 200 feral cats living in the house being valued, has enabled AVMs to be legitimized by the federal government.

During my career, I have observed that valuation accuracy has become weaker as technology has expanded in the mortgage process. The wiz-bang concept that the appraisal of a property can be completed at the push of a button is missing the realities of valuation.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Worth reading. Miller was involved in AVM history and, as usual, has some very interesting stories plus lots of Zillow comments.

For pro-AVM information from AV Metrics and to see how they test AVM accuracy, Click Here I have been following them for many years.

Miller used to send out a very long post once a week. I often just scrolled fast through most of it to get to the appraisal section, but I missed a lot that was worth reading. Now, he has divided it into daily posts.

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Appraisal Business Tips 

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on Mortgage appraisal reviews, AI and ChatGPT, freddie and fannie mortgage forecast, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc

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Common USPAP Appraiser Violations

8 Common Violations Made by Appraisers

By Dan Bradley

When it comes to appraisal non-compliance with USPAP, certain violations are, unfortunately, somewhat common… I have compiled this list based on many years of personal experience as a reviewer and a state regulator, as well as feedback I have received from other states’ enforcement agencies. Once you’re aware of these common missteps, you should be able to avoid them more easily.

Excerpts:

1. Use of inappropriate sales

One of the most serious issues is the use of inappropriate sales in a sales comparison approach. Sometimes the sales used by the appraiser are dissimilar in physical characteristics, e.g., they are all larger, better quality, or in better condition than the subject, and are not properly adjusted.

In some cases, the appraiser goes some distance away to find sales, but other sales are available in close proximity to the subject. An appraiser should always explain the search parameters and why the comparable sales were chosen. Generic, boilerplate statements such as, “The best and most similar sales were selected and utilized,” should not be used.

3. Failure to analyze sales history

Most appraisers include information about prior sales and transfers of the subject property in their reports. Omitting this information is never a good idea; after all, it is easy for an underwriter or reviewer to check this information right from their desk. However, merely disclosing the date and sale price of a prior sale or transfer is not sufficient to meet USPAP requirements. The appraiser must also analyze the prior sale or transfer and provide a summary of their analysis in the report.

7. Mischaracterization of the subject property

Another (unfortunately) common violation is mischaracterization or misrepresentation of the subject property. During my term as an appraisal board member in my state, I encountered several cases in which a mixed-use property or commercial property was appraised as a residential property so a borrower could obtain a residential mortgage.

To read more, including all the violations, Click Here

My comments: The blog post is well written, relatively short, and worth reading, if only for reminders. In last week’s newsletter, Dan Bradley’s first name was misspelled as Dave, his brother. My apologies. I don’t like anyone misspelling my first name as Anne, not Ann, my correct name!

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FHA appraisal problems

Appraisal Business Tips 

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on GSEs outsourcing AI for appraisal photos and Privacy issues,  ROVs, mortgage rate forecast, current real estate market, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

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$25M California Estate With a Private Mountain in Somis, CA

Excerpts: 8 bedrooms, 11.5+ baths, 19,660 sq.ft., 22 acre lot, built in 2008

Known as El Palacio Del Solano, the 22-acre property in Somis, CA, boasts a main residence, two-bedroom guesthouse, and an event space designed for grand-scale entertaining. The “ultra-private compound” in the hills of Southern California drew the most clicks on Realtor.com® this week.

Built in 2008, the luxury estate last traded hands in 2021 for $6,250,000. Dubbed “the holy grail of Somis,” the mansion’s lavish amenities include a home theater, massage room, wine cellar, sports court, an arcade room, a lazy-river pool, and a motor court for up to 20 vehicles.

The Spanish-style residence was designed for large-scale entertaining with a wine-tasting room, grand formal dining room, and an outdoor kitchen with multiple seating and entertainment areas. This home’s private massage room, primary suite with sauna, and lazy-river pool were all designed for relaxing.

A spacious four-car garage is attached to the facility equipped with volume ceilings ideal for parking event vans, trucks, and small to mid-size buses. An estimated range of fifteen to twenty cars could comfortably be parked in the driveway and motor court spaces.

To see the listing with 40 photos, Click Here

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Fannie, Freddie’s Offshore Gambit Imperils Privacy of Millions

By Jeremy Bagott, May 20, 2024

Excerpts: Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are reportedly “bench-testing” an arrangement with a foreign AI firm in which the offshore firm will data-mine millions of images showing the personal spaces of U.S. homeowners and tenants.

If your home was appraised for a refinance or new mortgage in recent years, the lender likely sent a “property data collector” to take photos of your kitchen, living room, and each of your bedrooms and bathrooms. (Pressured by the Biden administration, government-backed enterprises Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are instructing lenders they no longer need to use state-licensed appraisers for the task.) The images of your home’s interior spaces, along with identifying information, were then likely uploaded to a server run by a vendor.

Now, according to a source, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have potentially caused millions of these images to be made available to an artificial-intelligence company headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, known as Restb.ai. The images are then harvested for information with the help of artificial intelligence.

To read the post plus appraiser comments, Click Here

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Comments from Denis Desaix, SRA, MAI

Editor’s Note: Originally posted on the National Appraisers Forum Google group, which I read regularly.

I think Bagott’s issue is a legitimate concern. I wouldn’t want the interior photos of my home being catalogued by some third-party vendor that were taken related to a mortgage finance transaction I was engaging in. Ditto the floor plan. The data won’t be limited to what is gathered by property inspectors; however, appraisers’ data will also be in that mix.

The fix sounds relatively simple: Require Fannie/Freddie (or any regulated lender, if you will) to process the image-data in-house and maintain it under their control. The counterargument is that if we are going that route, then let’s classify the image data as personal financial information and cover it under the same rules that other consumer financial information is covered by.

However, it seems to me that Bagott’s editorial strongly implies that the imagery data will be identified with a specific consumer/consumer address. I’m not sure that is the case nor would it be necessary to do the analysis Fannie describes.

Here is how Fannie describes the process (from the link Bagott provides):Let’s walk through a process that uses this technology to validate the quality/condition ratings of the subject’s interior compared to the comps and (if applicable) previous photos of the subject.

1. A File# or other tracking number can identify the subject. The address need not be identified.

2. The identity of the comp’s address is less problematic, assuming the photos used are those available for public use. If the photos come from Fannie’s comp database, they, too, can be assigned a tracking number.

3. The vendor works its magic (I would encourage anyone interested at this stage to visit the one identified vendor webpage (https://restb.ai/) and especially click the link to “Appraisals and Inspections” to see how the product can be used for the stated purpose). And, by the way, at least one prominent appraisal forms provider is listed as a customer of this vendor; there are other names that many will recognize as well.

4. The results come back: the subject’s identity isn’t disclosed and remains unknown.

5. Finally, the vendor’s use of the photos is limited by contract, with stiff penalties for violation. If that doesn’t satisfy legitimate security and personal information requirements, the system can be licensed to Fannie/Freddie, and they can run it in-house.

Since we don’t know what protections against potential abuse (if any) are being put into place, there is legitimacy in asking about that and having a concern. In this case, I happen to have those questions and share that concern. Kudos to Bagott for raising them publicly.

I do take issue with Bagott on a number of his opinion pieces (not all, but enough to say “many”). But that’s OK. His pieces are not what I would call news articles. They are editorials (as they present his view on a certain item) or press releases (announcing something for purposes of an advocacy agenda and not necessarily for information purposes so one can fairly evaluate the issue’s pros and cons).

Many of my posts on this forum could be called editorials, although I try to present a balanced picture. Then, I’ll advocate my position and give the reasons why. We’re all free to express our opinions (we do so here within the limits of the forum rules and usually with professional decorum) as we see fit. That’s healthy.

But if our posts appear one-sided or present what appears to be an incomplete description, that typically generates more questions. Those questions, left unanswered, chip away at the strength of the post’s point. So, should it be with Bagott’s editorials; in this case, he raises a valid point, but it seems to me that there is a practical way to eliminate the concerns he raises. Acknowledging that possibility adds additional strength to the argument that this process must be more transparent so we are satisfied it isn’t being abused.

But that’s my editorial opinion; each of us is free to have our own, and all of us are free to debate the other’s opinions.

My comments on Denis’ post: I have known Denis for a long time. He is very savvy and reviews residential appraisal reports for several lenders. He sees a lot of appraisal photos.

My comments: Bagott’s emails are sometimes a bit “over the top” for me, but this one is worth reading. To subscribe to Bagott’s emails, Click Here

When I appraise a house that needs work, the photos always seem to look better than reality. I always comment on this in my appraisal report.

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ROV, Part 2

By George Dell, SRA, MAI, ASA, CRE

Excerpts: ROV (Reconsideration of Value) is now in the boat. Is it safe?

We suspect this will be a long row to get to the chosen island. Just row!

It may be good to start where any good study starts. “What are the words?” The only two words here are “reconsider” and “value.” Let’s look at these. (Sometimes just looking at the words can sort things out.) Different words mean different things to different people!

Reconsider: “To consider again, especially for a possible change of decision” … “especially with a view to changing or reversing.”

Value: “The worth or usefulness something.”

The new Fannie Mae Selling Guide section discusses the process to changes to the appraiser opinion of value. One more word might be important here: “Appraisal.” Appraisal is defined as the act or process of developing an opinion of value, or the opinion of value itself. An opinion.

Ah. This simplifies things. An official ROV wants you to change your opinion. Usually, if not always, this means “You came in too low.” But you already knew that …

The official ROV process includes a procedure for when the value:

is unsupported;

is deficient (due to unacceptable appraisal practices); or

reflects prohibited discriminatory practices.

Whew! A lot to think about here.

To read the full post, Click Here

My comments: If you work for lenders, read this. Very well-written, short, and understandable.

The May 10 issue of this newsletter had a long section on ROVs. To read the issue, including George Dell’s ROV Part 1, Click Here

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Fannie Mae May Mortgage Rate Forecast

Excerpts: Longer-term interest rates, including mortgage rates, have been volatile the past two months – first rising in response to stronger than expected economic data, and then a more recent decline on weaker readings. Despite this, we view economic growth and inflation as being on the same track as our prior outlook, and we continue to anticipate moderation as the year progresses.

We also continue to expect the Federal Reserve to implement the first of two rate cuts this year in September as inflation measures moderate, gradually trending toward the Fed’s 2-percent target. However, we believe the Fed is likely to remain cautious as there are still signs that inflation may remain stickier than anticipated.

Consistent with the slower sales outlook, our forecast for total mortgage originations was downgraded modestly to $1.73 trillion for 2024 ($1.81 trillion previously) and $2.08 trillion in 2025 ($2.26 trillion previously).

To read about more Fannie economic forecasts and see the graphs, Click Here

My comment: Reading Fannie’s forecasts are helpful. They have been doing them for a long time and have expert economists and other analysts.

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$2M Home Built From 11 Shipping Containers in Vancouver, WA

Excerpts: 4 bedroom, 3.5 baths, 4,074 sq.ft., 0.4 acre lot, built in 2015

A man with a one-of-a-kind idea created a beautiful residence near the border between the states of Washington and Oregon.

The house on S.E. 164th Avenue in Vancouver, WA, is built from 11 shipping containers of different colors.

“The owner actually built it himself, and he did not miss a beat when he built this,” explains the listing agent, Louise James.

She notes that the owner, who works in the import and export business, decided to build a container house.

“His friends all laughed at him,” she adds, “and said, ‘Oh, you can’t do that.’ So he drew it out on a piece of paper and said, ‘This is how I want it to be’—and it turns out to be this amazing masterpiece.”

Construction began on the 4,074-square-foot house in 2015, and finished two years later. HGTV featured the residence during its construction, on the first season of “Container Homes.”

James tells us she’s never seen anything like this home, with influences from all over the world.

Bridging the gap between East and West, the house features an array of Asian influences.

“It has a Japanese garden outside, and it has Tibetan prayer wheels on the entry,” James says, noting that the Japanese tearoom doubles as a meditation room. In a courtyard, a koi pond is outfitted with aquarium glass, which makes it possible to see the fish from inside the house, in the sunken conversation pit.

To read more and watch the video on the top of the page, Click Here

Note: video may be slow to load, but worth the wait!

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HOW TO USE THE NUMBERS BELOW. Appraisals are ordered after the loan application. These numbers tell you the future for the next few weeks. For more information on how they are compiled, Click Here.

Note: I publish a graph of this data every month in my paid monthly newsletter, Appraisal Today. For more information or get a FREE sample go to www.appraisaltoday.com/order Or call 510-865-8041, MTW, 7 AM to noon, Pacific time.

My comments: Rates are going up and down. Many appraisers are not busy. Some are busy, usually with non-lender appraisals.

Mortgage applications increased 1.9 percent from one week earlier

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2024) — Mortgage applications increased 1.9 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 17, 2024.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 1.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 1.1 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 7 percent from the previous week and was 21 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 1 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased 2 percent compared with the previous week and was 11 percent lower than the same week one year ago.

“The 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined for the third straight week, dropping to 7.01 percent – the lowest level in seven weeks,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Rates coming down from recent highs spurred some borrowers to act, with increases across both conventional and government refinance applications. VA refinances had a double-digit increase for the third consecutive week, although the current level of refinancing is still well below its historical average. Purchase activity continues to lag despite this recent decline in rates, down 11 percent from a year ago, as potential buyers still face limited for-sale inventory and high list prices.”

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 34.0 percent of total applications from 32.0 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity decreased to 6.6 percent of total applications.

The FHA share of total applications increased to 12.8 percent from 12.4 percent the week prior. The VA share of total applications increased to 13.7 percent from 12.7 percent the week prior. The USDA share of total applications decreased to 0.3 percent from 0.4 percent the week prior.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 7.01 percent from 7.08 percent, with points decreasing to 0.60 from 0.63 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $766,550) decreased to 7.18 percent from 7.22 percent, with points decreasing to 0.44 from 0.58 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 6.77 percent from 6.86 percent, with points decreasing to 0.88 from 0.94 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 6.42 percent from 6.61 percent, with points decreasing to 0.54 from 0.65 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 6.48 percent from 6.56 percent, with points decreasing to 0.55 from 0.66 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The survey covers over 75 percent of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications, and has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. Base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100.

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Ann O’Rourke, MAI, SRA, MBA

Appraiser and Publisher Appraisal Today

1826 Clement Ave. Suite 203 Alameda, CA 94501

Phone: 510-865-8041

Email:  ann@appraisaltoday.com

Online: www.appraisaltoday.com

Appraiser Liability Risks

This Is Where Appraisal Liability Risks Lie (Plus Tips on How to Avoid Them)

By: McKissock

Excerpts: While it’s difficult for a litigant to win a judgment against an appraiser, that doesn’t spare appraisers the inconvenience of being sued, which can be costly, time-consuming, and harmful to one’s reputation even if the suit fails.

Attorney Peter Christensen, general counsel at the Christensen Law Firm in Bozeman, Montana, notes that lawsuits against individual residential appraisers, or small residential AMCs, are fairly rare, and successful suits rarer still. However, it’s a good idea to know where the risks lie—and how to avoid them.

Topics include:

  • USPAP and state laws
  • Types of lawsuits brought to appraisers
  • Disclosures and disclaimers to reduce appraisal liability risks

To read more, click here

My comments: Peter Christensen is very knowledgeable. Well written, short, and worth reading. As we all (should) know, any person or company. can sue you for any reason at any time.!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on AVMs and AI, good appraisal book,  Real estate market, Fannie, non-lender appraisals, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

Click Read More below to read lots more!

Read more!!