4-1-20 Newz: Effects on Value; FHA/VA; Return to Normal?; Fun Video

By on April 1, 2020   /   appraisal business, Appraisal Foundation, Coronavirus, Fannie, FHA, unusual homes, va   /   Leave a comment
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The paid Appraisal Today April newsletter will be free on April 3, Friday.

It focuses on what COVID-19 means for appraisers. I researched and discuss details: why data is the key, what are the comps, etc. Topics such as using gloves and face masks. There is lots of mis-information out there. I use the experts – scientists, especially epidemiologists.

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SOCIAL DISTANCING IS CRITICAL. WE ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER TO SO THAT FEWER PEOPLE GET THE VIRUS. WE MUST MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES. FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF YOUR STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

Louisiana is an example of what happens when lots of people gather together. Mardi Gras was February 25. No one knew much about it then.

On March 5 I took an appraisal class. No one did social distancing, even myself, or even talked about it. Some hand shaking. One person coughed and quickly said something got caught in his throat so attendees were somewhat aware of it. Hard to remember what those days were like… when there were live classes or meetings…

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BE GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAN STILL WORK!!

We all see shuttered stores, many businesses shut down, employees laid off. Appraisers are still working. Lenders need appraisals. You choose which personal protection to use. You decide which appraisals to accept. You can drive around while most of us are staying in our homes.

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Interior Inspections: Tough Choices for Appraisers

More comments in workingre article here:

http://www.workingre.com/interior-inspections-tough-choices-for-appraisers/

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You already know what think – Just Say No.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Turn down FHA with interior inspection. way too risky!!
  • Raise your fees a lot for interior inspections. They are risky.
  • Drivebys and desktops will take a lot of time getting photos from borrowers. Asking questions, Etc. Ask higher fees than you used to ask.
  • Take fewer assignments.
  • This will not last very long. Lenders are shifting to drivebys and desktops. Why risk heath and safety you, your family and others, for a few appraisals?

GSEs/FHA/VA and bank commercial lenders are trying to protect appraiser’s health and safety by eliminating interior inspections. Freddie Mac has new guidelines for apartment appraisals.

Read more!! →

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3-27-20 Newz: Fannie Update/Resources – 1004 for drivebys, forms changes, inspection, etc.

By on March 27, 2020   /   Coronavirus, Fannie, fees   /   Leave a comment
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NOTE: This information is changing on a daily, and often hourly, basis. The amount of information is almost overwhelming. What you read today may change tomorrow. Most of the info below is summary with more details in the monthly newsletter next week. Also, lots more on personal COVID-19 such as data availability, safety, etc. I am spending 10+ hours per day trying to keep track of it so I can let you know.

Per Fannie, this is a “fluid event”. There are many questions about health and safety for the appraiser and the borrower (and their contacts if infected) when doing interior inspections.

There is lots of appraisal misinformation online. It is not a good source unless it includes a link to the correct information or the source that can be located online. I only use email chat groups that I have used for many years, such as National Appraisers Forum To read more, click here

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11-8-19 Newz: Zestimates – Fee Transparency – Science and Appraising

By on November 8, 2019   /   Appraisal fees, bifurcated appraisals, Fannie, fees, george dell, Mortgage applications, weird properties, zillow   /   Leave a comment
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National Appraisers Forum

By Dave Towne

Excerpt: Appraisers, if you would like to learn from highly qualified peers (other than me! :), post questions, or offer your own comments, consider joining the FREE group, National Appraisers Forum (NAF). Use this link.

This is one of the best appraiser groups as all commentary is respectful. While not everyone always agrees with certain points, the discussions are not demeaning. There is a wealth of info participants share freely on a wide number of topics. The group has several moderators who monitor the posting activity.

One key point, NAF participants are not anonymous. You must use your name (at a bare minimum) when participating, which is required when signing up… Moderators are asking that anyone who wants to join should give their name as licensed, the state they are in, and their license number.

To read more, click here

My comments: This is my favorite appraiser online group! I get many emails from various sources for this newsletter and have been a member of many online communication places. Before the internet was widely available, I hosted live chats on aol and compuserve. Since then I have watched many online places. Unfortunately, just like any other topic, sometimes the groups end up doing lots of “flaming” (attacking another participants, etc.), negative comments, off topic, politics, etc. I quit going to these places.

Of all the groups I have subscribed to, National Appraisers Forum is the best for me. I have been a member since it started, or soon after. No complaining about AMCs, off topic, trolling and flaming, etc. The founder, Steve Smith, and the moderators keep it this way. Regular contributors are “high end” appraisers with many years of experience. Hot topics are often discussed.

There are well managed appraisal groups on Facebook, but it is too hard to for me to follow the threads, so I don’t go there very often. But, it may work for you.

Another major factor is that you must use your real name, so we know who is commenting. Allowing anonymous postings can easily decay into a mess.

I will be updating my article ” How to connect with other appraisers online. What’s the best group for you? ” in a future issue of the paid Appraisal Today discussing other email chat groups, how to find other groups or start your own, Facebook, etc.

Read more!! →

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11-1-19 Appraisal Waivers – What’s In GLA – Superstitions

By on November 1, 2019   /   data, Fannie, FUN, humor, square footage, weird properties   /   Leave a comment

Appraisal Waivers 

(from Rob Chrisman’s email newsletter)

And wouldn’t home loans be streamlined if the owner of the loan/investor didn’t care about the value? No appraisals! On the flip side, what if every home loan required three appraisals? That would sure bog thing down. The topic of waiving appraisals (who, what, where, when, why) is a hot one. The general belief is that the PWI is not as much predicated on the home, nor the loan structure, and more in the availability of prior appraisals in the area. Appraisals being in “machine language” making them readable, and the data more subject to compiling and valuation algorithms is hot stuff. And some wonder that if Freddie and Fannie are under government conservatorship, could that information be subject to a FOIA request?

To read more, click here NOTE: The appraisal waiver section is down the page. Easiest to search for appraisal waiver.

My comment: I have been subscribing to Rob Chrisman’s newsletter for a long time. It focuses on lenders and mortgage originator news, but sometimes has some interesting material on appraisals. In this one, there is some analysis from the appraiser side. Nothing new for appraisers, but it is always good to see what loan officers and lenders are reading.

Read more!! →

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10-25-19 Newz: Fannie Waivers – No Bifurcates? – Market Cycles

By on October 25, 2019   /   bifurcated appraisals, cost approach, Fannie, hybrid appraisals, Mortgage applications   /   Leave a comment
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We Don’t Need No Stinking Bifurcates… Do We?

By Tim Andersen, MAI

Excerpt: QUESTION: I’ve heard so much lately about hybrid appraisals. I really don’t understand them. I guess, though, my biggest question about them is whether they are USPAP compliant. Some heavy hitters in appraisal have said they are not USPAP compliant, they pollute the industry, they will degrade us appraisers to the point we are no longer necessary. Some equally heavy hitters have said none of that is true, and that appraisers should be doing them since clients want, to coin a phrase, a painter to paint their house (cheap & fast), not Michelangelo to create an immortal work of art in it (expensive & slow). Since hybrid appraisals do not require me to inspect the property, how can a hybrid appraisal report be USPAP compliant? Do I have to list the inspector in the Certification since inspecting the property is significant appraisal assistance? How are state boards going to look at hybrid appraisals? I do not know what to think. Help!

To read Tim’s answer, click here

My comment: I love Tim’s blog postings. He has been writing articles for the paid Appraisal Today on evaluations, suing state boards, and What’s changed in USPAP 2020-2021? (coming in the Dec. issue) He is definitely a USPAP expert!!

Read more!! →

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9-27-19 Newz: Bifurcated Appraisals and Inspections; Abandoned Resorts – New CA Independent Contractor Law

By on September 28, 2019   /   AMCs, appraisal business, AVMS, bifurcated appraisals, CU, Fannie, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, USPAP, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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Crowdsourcing Appraiser Data

By Jerin Harper, IFA, ASA, CREA

Excerpt: Just imagine the possibilities of having a hyper-local database…

If you are not in the business of data you will be out of business. I’m not sure if I heard this somewhere or not, but this mantra has been in my head for a while now. Being in the data business is essential for every business today. We see it across all industries where the companies that embrace data are still in business, and the companies that didn’t make that pivot are out. In our profession we saw Fannie Mae get into the big data business with the creation of CU. CoreLogic took their data business to a whole new level when they bought Alamode. One of my favorite examples is sports: just in the last several years data & analytics have completely changed the way football, basketball, and baseball is played— and those sports have been around for 100 years. It doesn’t matter what business you’re in, you have to be able to capture the right data and communicate it effectively.

I suggest that appraisers start crowdfunding their data.

To read more, click here, plus the many comments,

My comment: A never ending idea… Who “owns” the appraisal data? I remember the days of the CMDC (California Market Data Cooperative) where appraisers, including myself, shared their appraisal data, long before the Internet. It still exists and is owned by FNC. Their historic data is available.

Read more!! →

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9-20-19 Newz: Fannie Update – Domes – Low appraisals – Avengers

By on September 20, 2019   /   appraisal business, Fannie, george dell, Mortgage applications, real estate market, unusual home, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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Fannie Mae September 2019 Appraiser Update

Sept. 13, 2019

Topics include:

– Forms for appraisers performing PDC and desktop appraisal

– Desktop appraisals, assumptions, and hypothetical conditions

– Locked rooms

– Consumer protections

– State board notifications

Only 5 pages. Easy to read and informative. To read more, click here

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Fannie Mae Appraiser Home Page

Everything Fannie In One Place!!

To read more, click here

Read more!! →

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9-13-19 Newz: FRT issues – Why Suburbs Look the Same!

By on September 13, 2019   /   Appraisal Foundation, Appraisal Qualifications Board, appraisal regulations, Appraisal Standards Board, bifurcated appraisals, evaluations, Fannie, fees, hybrid appraisals, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market, rental market, Strange homes, unusual homes   /   Leave a comment
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Fuggerei

In this truly magical place, rent hasn’t been raised since the year 1520! Just For Fun!!

Excerpts: After minting coins for the Vatican and making a name for himself as one of Europe’s greatest early entrepreneurs, Jakob Fugger (aka “Jakob the Rich”) turned his eye toward those in need. What emerged from this vision has persisted as the world’s oldest charitable social housing complex.
In the year 1517, construction began on Fugger’s vision for what would become the golden-walled enclave of Fuggerei, which he created as a way of providing affordable homes for day laborers, artisans and their families. Though it sustained heavy damage during a bombing raid in WWII, the community was restored to its pre-raid condition, where it has remained uninterruptedly inhabited since its founding in 1520. The city-within-a-city consists of private residences including 67 houses, 147 apartments, St. Mark’s Church, and an administrative building.
To read more, click here

My Comment: Wow!! Really gives me a perspective on rent control here in California and in my small city. Rents are increasing all over the country.

Read more!! →

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8-23-19 Newz: Deminimus = $400,000 – Highest and Best Use – Fannie Cost Approach

By on August 23, 2019   /   appraisal how to, deminimus, Fannie, Mortgage applications, unusual homes, weird properties, zillow   /   Leave a comment
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Highest and Best Use – Residential Appraisers Need To Understand It!

Excerpt: There are many valuation products out there. CMA’s, BPO’s and AVM’s to name a few. What you will likely not see in those kinds of valuations, is the specific zoning class for the property being valued. Why?

With these types of valuations, a highest & best use (HBU) analysis is generally not made. However, if you hire an appraiser to value your home, we will perform this analysis. What is a highest & best use analysis? Why is it important in the development of an opinion of value? How is zoning involved?

To read more and see the fun animated gifs click here

My comments: My Most Frequent Residential Appraisal Rant!! I started at an assessor’s office in 1975. The First, and Most Important, Question was “What is the highest and best use?” In 1986 I started doing residential lender work. The form was just a check box for HBU. If you checked No, it was a big problem for the lender. Many residential appraisers don’t check the zoning, general plan, etc. One good way is to just drive around and see what is happening. For example, lots of small homes being torn down and McMansions being built. Or, lots of houses on a busy street converted to office uses. Or, a small house on a big lot with apartments all around it. A common residential issue is a possible lot split.

Don’t forget the General (Or Specific) Plan. It tells you what the city wants today and in the future for land use, which is not discussed in this article.

I have appraised a lot of older commercial properties for lenders, which often had a HBU different than the current use. I discussed it in my appraisals.

When there is a big difference in value between two appraisals, it is often due to a difference in opinion of HBU. Don’t get into trouble. Be sure to think about HBU!! If you’re not sure, contact an experienced appraiser, particularly one who does a lot of non-lender work and/or commercial appraisals.

In the Feb. 2017 issue there is an excellent article written for residential appraisers by Denis Desaix, “Residential Highest and Best Use Analysis: more than Just a “Check box” available to paid subscribers. See below.

Read more!! →

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6-28-19 Newz: Coester Loses Lawsuit – Fannie Appraiser Update – Secret Stairways

By on June 28, 2019   /   AMCs, appraisal how to, appraisal management company, bad appraisers, bifurcated appraisals, Fannie, hybrid appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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What I think about bifurcated appraisals

Have you ever done a comp check for a mortgage broker or lender in the past? They are appraisals. You only have public records and maybe MLS. You may have driven by the property, but probably not.

What about drivebys? You drove by the outside, but never saw the rear or interior.

With bifurcated appraisals, at least you have photos, measurements of the exterior, descriptions of what the exterior and interior rooms look like, etc.

What about having trainees do them, under your supervision? A great way to get new appraisers started. I spoke with one appraiser who is doing this.

All appraisers rely on public records, MLS photos and descriptions, etc. We don’t know how accurate this data is.

Check out the company doing bifurcated appraisals and their forms software data handling. Do not work for one that requires that you manually fill in a 1004P, for example. How long have they been in business? Are there appraisers in management?

Whether or not you do them is a business decision. They are less risky than comp checks and drivebys. You have more information, assuming they do not make up the photos, sketch, etc.

The Bottom Line: appraisers don’t like change, just like most people. Some adapt, some decide not to change.

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