AMCs

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Top 10 Things Appraisers Wish Real Estate Agents Understood

McKissock Survey

Excerpts: Survey question: “What’s one thing you wish real estate agents knew about the appraisal process?”

Based on the answers we received, appraisers wish that agents knew the following:

The appraisal process is complex and takes time
Appraisers do not assign value
Appraisers are unbiased and must follow guidelines
Appraisers need their input and cooperation
How to select appropriate sales comps
The importance of providing accurate and detailed info in their listings
How to determine correct GLA (gross living area)
How renovations and upgrades affect value
How to prepare for the appraisal appointment
FHA/VA/USDA guidelines

Sample appraiser answers:

“How complex it really is. We don’t just pull numbers out of the air—they are market supported adjustments backed by ‘many angles“

Some brokers regard the appraiser as an adversary, who potentially can ruin their deal and end up without commission. They should learn that the appraiser is neutral and cooperating can be a benefit.”’ of research.”

“Entering an occupied home without agent or home owner present is a liability issue for appraisers—[we] need someone present to observe what we do.”

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Read the blog post and maybe get some good ideas for answering agent questions!

Many years ago a top local agent asked me why I was driving around taking photos. I explained they were similar homes (comps) I may be using in an appraisal. I realized she did not know much about what appraisers do.

When I started my appraisal business in 1986 I did presentations at all the local real estate offices, usually during their marketing meetings. I explained what appraisers do and how agents and appraisers can work together. They liked the information.

Types of Appraisal Values

By Ann O'Rourke on August 9, 2024 / AMCs, appraisal business, ROVs / Leave a comment

Tags: AMC, appraisal business, ROVs

Market Value and Appraised Value: Exploring Various Appraisal Values

By Jo Traut

Excerpts: You’ve probably been asked about the difference between “market value and appraised value” by clients seeking a mortgage. However, from the perspective of the valuation profession, this isn’t an accurate question. We don’t provide an appraised value of a property. Instead, we provide an informed, objective opinion of the value of the property based on several factors and criteria as well as the type of value we’re asked to provide. Learn more about the different appraisal values and the factors that go into each.

Summary

Value in real estate is an opinion on a property’s worth influenced by market conditions and perceptions, distinct from price and cost. It includes various types, such as market value and intangible value, each serving different appraisal and financial purposes.

While most appraisals aim to determine an opinion on market value, not all appraisals are centered on this. Depending on the specific appraisal assignment, different types of value may be considered. Let’s examine eight different types of value and provide a high-level overview of each.

Understanding Market Value

Market value is the most frequently sought value in real property appraisals and can have various definitions. Most often, it is defined as the most probable price a property should sell for under typical conditions. This price assumes a reasonable exposure time on the market, with both buyer and seller acting prudently and without duress.

Types of Value (Partial List)

Assessed Value
Investment Value
Insurable Value
Value in Use
Book Value
Intangible Value

To read more, Click Here

My Comments: Read this article! It is the best article I have read on different types of values, plus other comments. Most appraisers use the “Fannie Mae” definition of market value. For non-lender appraisals, I have made up my own definitions, depending on what the client wants to know about their property.

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8-9-24 What’s in This Newsletter (in Order, Scroll Down)

Market Value and Appraised Value: Exploring Various Appraisal Values
Tappable Equity Reaches Record High
5 Move-In Ready Homes Priced Under $100K
Lack of Fee Transparency: Exposing the AMC Exploitation
Implementation date for Reconsideration of Value updated to October 31 by GSEs and FHA
Home Appraisal Price-Gap Analysis Shows That Home Appraisals Were Higher Than Sale Prices 51% of the Time
Mortgage Applications increased 6.9% from one week earlier

AVM Accuracy?

By Ann O'Rourke on June 28, 2024 / AI, AMCs, appraisal business, appraisal reviews, Fannie, Freddie, liability / Leave a comment

Tags: AI, AMC, mortgage lending, real estate market

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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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

Appraisers Riding the Waves of Up and Down Mortgage Rates

What is a Complex Residential Property?

By Ann O'Rourke on June 21, 2024 / AMCs, appraisal, Appraisal fees, liability / Leave a comment

Tags: AMC, appraisal, real estate market

How to Identify a Complex Residential Property

By Dan Bradley

Excerpts: A complex one-to-four family residential property is defined as a property that meets at least one of the following criteria:

The property to be appraised is atypical
The form of ownership is atypical
The market conditions are atypical

Some of the key physical features that can make an appraisal assignment complex include:

Size (significantly larger or smaller than typical for market)
Floor plan (there may be functional obsolescence)
Unique custom features
Quality of workmanship or construction (higher or lower than the norm)
Architectural design
Adequacy of HVAC, electrical systems, well and/or septic
Additional living unit(s)
Non-conforming zoning
Mixed-use property (for example, it is used as both a business and residence)
Waterfront properties

Keep in mind that what is considered a complex residential property in one market might not be considered complex in another market. For example:

A mansion in Beverly Hills is not atypical; a mansion located somewhere in rural America might be
A log cabin in the mountains of Virginia is common; a beach-front log cabin in VA, not so much
Manufactured or mobile homes with additions are common in rural areas, but generally not in cities

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Read this short article and keep it available. Very good lists of the factors.

Why do you want to know about this topic? Business is slow now, which is a good time to try appraising unusual homes. But, a fast turn time is not a good idea unless you are very familiar with the subject’s complexities. Do you have another appraiser who can help you? Don’t risk your appraisal license by getting in “over your head”. I get regular calls from appraisers who said “yes” but did not have anyone to advise them.

Very few appraisers, if any, would have experience on all these types of properties. For example, I have appraised many life estates, but no homes with a leasehold (ground lease) in a market area where such interests are uncommon. I have only appraised homes where the subject and all the nearby homes are leaseholds. I get advice for appraising it.

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post overpriced homes, appraising 3,000 years ago, AMCs good bad ugly, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc

Appraisal Institute Counters Flawed Appraiser Bias Narrative

By Ann O'Rourke on April 19, 2024 / AMCs, appraisal modernization, modernization, non-lender appraisals / Leave a comment

Tags: AMC, appraisal modernization, non-lender appraisals

Appraisal Institute Counters Flawed Appraiser Bias Narrative

Excerpts: In reality, appraisers have a great story to tell, but we have a long way to go to refocus the terribly flawed “appraiser bias” narrative onto facts and science.

Last week’s email from Cindy Chance, the CEO of the Appraisal Institute, marks an important and long overdue shift in the organization’s approach to addressing accusations of bias in the appraisal profession. For too long, appraisers have faced sweeping claims that their valuations are biased against certain groups, despite appraisers’ ethical standards, rigorous training, and lack of financial stake in transactions.

As Chance acknowledges, the Institute should have done more to advocate for appraisers and make the public aware of their professionalism. This public acknowledgement of an obligation to counter the flawed “appraiser bias” narrative is an encouraging first step. Appraisal organizations like the Appraisal Institute should advocate for appraisers, as advocacy is a key membership benefit. Industry groups should also step up to support appraisers.

Importantly, Chance points out that claims of appraiser bias contradict what appraisers actually do. Their role is to provide impartial, data-driven opinions of value. She explains how pioneering research in psychology revealed that all humans have cognitive biases, but professionals like appraisers are trained to minimize bias through rigorous methodology. In fact, appraisers’ discipline protects homebuyers and the industry from irrational biases.

Chance suggests the Institute will undertake communications grounded in facts and science to reframe the false narrative around appraiser bias. With their scientific expertise and ethical standards, appraisers have a strong basis to counter the accusations. Chance’s leadership in publicly addressing the issue and committing to advocate for appraisers represents an encouraging change of direction for the Institute.

To read more, including the full document, Click Here

My comments: Read it. Note: it can be “dense” with very long paragraphs. This is, by far, the best writing I have seen on bias related to appraisals. I have been saying for a while that all humans are biased in some way. It is human nature.

When I read it last week, I was going to put a link to it in this newsletter. Now that appraisersblogs has published the full document, you can read and make comments.

For a long time, since AI dropped out of the Appraisal Foundation, I have said, “I am a 35-year member of AI. I stay because my MAI is very, very valuable (similar to CPA).” Plus, I have an excellent local chapter.

I have been reading Cyndi Chance’s emails to members and following her activities to reach out to local chapters since she started last fall.

I am so glad that AI is now taking on the bias issue. I recently took USPAP plus two California bias classes in a two week period. After I finished them, I thought of giving up my license (CA is not a mandatory state) and maybe quitting appraisal. After a rough weekend, I decided not to leave. Finally, I now see there is hope!

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on non-lender appraisals, forms to reports modernization, AMCs, earthquake risk, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

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NAR Appraisal Survey 2022

NAR Appraiser Survey July, 2023

By Ann O'Rourke on September 15, 2023 / adjustments, ADUs, AMCs, appraisal how to, Fannie, non-lender appraisals / Leave a comment

Tags: adjustments, ADUs, AMC, appraisal how to, Fannie, non-lender appraisals

NAR Appraiser Survey July, 2023

In July 2023, NAR Research conducted a survey of all 9,800 appraiser members and 50,000 randomly-selected residential-focused non-appraiser members.

The survey results had a comparison of 2022 and 2023, which was very interesting.

Appraiser Topics
Greatest challenges in business
Lesser challenges with business
Valuations
Comfort with valuation tools
Radius in which appraisals are conducted
Radius by area type (rural, small town, urban, resort, suburban)
How often asked to conduct appraisals outside geographic area/Property type of expertise

Sample: Greatest challenges in business

(AMCs) in general among their greatest challenges. This year, this option was broken into three separate AMC-related issues. Forty-four percent cite at least one of these, with 28 percent specifically citing AMC requests for revisions.

This year, however, the single greatest challenge, cited by almost half (47 percent), is “fee pressures,” which, based on comments, is also related in many cases to pressure from AMCs. This is up sharply from 27 percent last year.

One-quarter (26 percent) cite technology fees (not an option in 2022). Appraisers are less likely this year to cite expanding regulations/interpretations of regulations, lender requirements, pressure from real estate agents/brokers, and liability concerns.

The 21 percent who cite other challenges are most likely to cite lack of business/slow market, rising interest rates, low fees, and to reiterate pressure from AMCs.

A very good graphic is included for each section.

To read the report, click here

My comments: Read the appraiser sections in the long report. Fortunately, appraiser results are in the first section. I read the full survey. Most of the questions were for all NAR members, both appraisers and non-appraiser members. Some may be of interest to you. Much of the appraiser results were what we already sort of suspected, but it is good to see actual survey results.

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on GSE Appraisal Independence Update, Private money lender appraials, ADUs, adjustments, unusual homes, mortgage origination

Fannie Wants Desktop Appraisals

Fannie Mae: No Appraisals Required? 3-10-23

By Ann O'Rourke on March 31, 2023 / AMCs, Fannie, non-lender appraisals, waivers / Leave a comment

Tags: AMC, appraisal waivers, Fannie, non-lender appraisals

Fannie Mae: Appraisals are no longer the default option: Value Acceptance replaces Appraisal Waiver

Fannie Mae updated its Selling Guide on March 1 to include more options for property valuations, saying that they are “moving away from implying that an appraisal is a default requirement.” Those options include value acceptance (formerly appraisal waivers), value acceptance plus property data and hybrid appraisals.

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Fannie Mae – No Appraisals Required – The End of Appraisers?

Hamp Thomas 12 minute video – my favorite commentary on this issue!

Fannie Mae took a direct shot at appraisers today with the announcement of changes in their Selling Guide. Two options for the future, both of which do great harm to the appraisal industry.

First, “third party” inspections. Appraisal trainees aren’t good enough, so now we will have unlicensed inspectors going through the homes of unsuspecting homeowners. And, with this inspection a traditional appraisal is no longer a requirement for the mortgage loan.

Secondly, the 3rd party inspection is sent to a licensed appraiser. FNMA wants an appraiser’s signature so the appraiser can be held responsible if there’s any problem in the future. Both options say they are good for consumers and both options are filled with fabrications and misinformation. At the end of it all, it’s about control and profits. Why trainees can’t provide the data is simply because big banking and AMC’s don’t make profit from the inspection part of the process.

If appraisers don’t stand up and say no, right now, the running joke of the appraisal industry could be gone in five years; well, it just very well may come true. Ok appraisers, it’s time to speak out and stand together.

The only reason for these changes are about a piece of the 11 TRILLION dollar mortgage market. And that’s the way it is – March 1, 2023.

To watch the video, click here

My comments: Worth watching the video. Call to Action. Hamp is an excellent speaker and teacher.

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Fannie Statement: “Value acceptance + property data has arrived”

“This new option reduces cycle times and may reduce borrower costs, promotes safety and soundness by obtaining a current observation of the subject property, and provides operational simplicity and certainty at time of loan application.“

To read what Fannie says, click here

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Link to Fannie SEL-2023-02: Selling Guide Updates PDF

To read more, click here

My comments: Lenders Are Happeeee! Those darn appraisers and appraisals have always taken too much time. Fannie sells their loans to investors. The more loans, the more money Fannie makes. I did not include links to what the happy lenders say. You already know.Clear the Tracks!

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on Non-lender appraisals, AMCs, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

What Appraisers Wish Real Estate Agents Understood

By Ann O'Rourke on February 17, 2023 / adjustments, AMCs, appraisal business / Leave a comment

Tags: adjustments, AMC, appraisal business

What Appraisers Wish Real Estate Agents Understood

McKissock Survey

Question: “What’s one thing you wish real estate agents knew about the appraisal process?

AMC Fined for Appraisal Order Blast Violation

AMC Alleged Violations of Appraiser Independence Requirements

By Ann O'Rourke on February 10, 2023 / AMCs, appraisal business, Fannie, non-lender appraisals / Leave a comment

Tags: AMC, Fannie, non-lender appraisals

Fastapp AMC Alleged Violations of AIR (Appraiser Independence Requirements)

Excerpts: The following court documents in the case Naftali Horowitz v. xxx, Fastapp AMC founder v. Fastapp AMC president, confirm what appraisers have been saying all along, that if you want high-volume AMC work, you have to lower your fees to 1980’s level, have 24 hour turn times, and, above all, be a number hitter.

Horowitz claimed that Andrews engaged in conduct constituting potential violations of the Appraiser Independence Requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”), including unlawfully seeking to influence an appraiser to encourage a targeted value to facilitate the making or pricing of the transaction in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1639e(b)(3).

… it began to become apparent to Andrews that Horowitz was not complying with appraisal independence standards. Instead, Horowitz would personally select one of a small number of his preferred appraisers for any given appraisal request… It thus became apparent to Andrews that Horowitz was engaged in a widespread scheme in violation of federal law by assigning appraisals to appraisers who would appraise values at requested values in exchange for order flow.

To read more plus over 50 appraiser comments, click here

My comment: Copies of the emails tell the story of “cooperative” appraisers getting most of the assignments. Very similar to the old mortgage broker days. A primary reason for Dodd-Frank.

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on estate/trust appraisals and Fannie changesunusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

Revised FHA Handbook 4000.1 effective 9/14/15. Are you ready for the changes? Get the facts!!

FHA Handbook 4000.1 Appraisal Changes

By Ann O'Rourke on January 27, 2023 / AMCs, appraisal business, bias, FHA, non-lender appraisals / 1 Comment

Tags: AMC, appraisal business, bias, FHA, non-lender appraisals

FHA Handbook 4000.1 Appraisal Changes

By Dan Bradley

Excerpts: On January 18, 2023, HUD issued an announcement regarding revisions made to Handbook 4000.1. According to the announcement, the revisions included “enhancements and revisions to existing guidelines and various technical edits.”

The most significant of these revisions was the elimination of the requirement to include the 1004MC form as an attachment to the appraisal report.

Changes to the Handbook also include several other minor, but nevertheless meaningful, edits and clarifications to FHA appraisal requirements, including:

Under “Attic Observation Requirements,” a clarification was made regarding the appraiser’s obligation to “safely” access the attic. The language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the attic was deleted.

Under “Crawl Space Observation Requirements,” significant revisions were made, including removal of a bullet point list of MPR/MPS criteria for the crawl space. Also, language requiring a minimum “head and shoulders” access into the crawl space was deleted.

The changes outlined in the Handbook may be implemented immediately but must be implemented for FHA cases assigned on or after April 18, 2023.

To read more, click here

My comments: Many thanks to McKissock for telling us what we need to know. Includes a link to the “redline” version of 4000.1 so you can skip over most of it. Scroll down to “Updates, Revisions, Notifications” to get the redline versions.

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

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