Appraisal News and Business Tips

real estate market

12-6-19 Newz: Appraisal Shelf Life – AVMs – Neighborhood Analysis

By on December 7, 2019   /   AMCs, appraisal business, appraisal how to, AVMS, computers, marketing, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, Strange homes   /   Leave a comment
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What’s the Shelf Life of An Appraisal?

Except: All of this has let me to the question du jour. What is the shelf life of an appraisal? I am asked on a regular basis, “How long the appraisal is good for?”. The simple answer is, one day. Namely, the effective date of the report. Real estate appraisals reflect the appraiser’s opinion of value of the property being appraised, based upon a specific point in time. Why?

Real estate values are changing every day. Like food, there are external forces that affect the value of a home, and how rapidly it changes. Does that mean that the appraised value will be dramatically different the day after the effective date of the appraisal? Probably not. However, no appraiser can see into the future to know what tomorrow will bring.

To read more, see fotos and comments click here

My comment: I love these very creative articles. I have no idea how he does mashups of appraisals and all types of other topics! Plus I thought I understood food shelf life. Now I know a lot more ;> Creative videos and animated gifs, etc. Lotsa fun!!

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11-29-19 Newz: Choosing Comps – VA and Bifurcated – Most Expensive Homes

By on November 29, 2019   /   appraisal business, appraisal how to, bifurcated appraisals, george dell, hybrid appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market, unusual homes, va, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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By George Dell

Excerpt: This question caused me to rethink the relationship of ‘spiritual’ or ‘mental health’ principles to profitable business practices. From last year’s blog, the research showed benefits with: relationships, physical and emotional health, reduced anger/isolation, sleep, self-esteem, and even improved brain power! Cool.

So, do these things cost me money? Or do they help make more money?

Let’s start with the obvious: what’s in an appraiser’s required belief system: Standards, ethics, and conduct. Recall that USPAP requires you to be worthy. Worthy of belief. Credible.

So, what in that list helps me make more money?

To read more, click here

My comment: Very good appraisal comments for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays! Worth reading.

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11-22-19 Newz: Appraisal Fees – Previous Careers – Dungeon

By on November 22, 2019   /   adjustments, AMCs, appraisal business, Appraisal fees, appraisal management company, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, real estate market   /   Leave a comment
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What Was Your Previous Career Before You Got Into Appraisal?

Excerpts:

The Top 3

  • Real estate sales (14%)
  • Mortgage lending (8%)
  • Insurance (5%)
  • Assistant or admin work (5%)
  • Banking (1%)
  • Others: 63%

To read more, click here Check out the respondent comments and a list of some of the many previous careers

My comment: I was a chemist before I started appraising. Really like learning about science in school, but 7 years of lab work was too boring. I felt trapped inside. Saw an ad for “appraiser assistant” at the local county offices. “Work in the field.” I had never heard of it, so read a book about it at the library (1974). I got the job and still love appraising!! I didn’t see many science careers on the “Other” list. But, I think it prepared me well for appraising as I was trained to be very objective and analytical.

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11-15-19 Newz: Adjustments – Angle Measurements – Zillow iBuying Problems

By on November 15, 2019   /   adjustments, appraisal business, bifurcated appraisals, real estate market, square footage, zillow   /   Leave a comment
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Accurate Measurements with Odd Angles

Excerpt: Imagine a 2,100 square foot, one and a half story house with an attached garage, porch, and deck. You probably imagined the typical bungalow. Now, imagine that house having 48 corners and only 4 of them are 90 degrees. I recently had an experience with just that house. Some architect, thinking they were Frank Lloyd Wright reincarnated, decided to build this house on a high bank cliff overlooking the Puget Sound. Don’t get me wrong, it was a pretty cool design, but I knew right away when I received the order for that appraisal that I was going to need some help.

To read more, click here Lots of reviews of the product, plus other similar products.

My comment: $19.95. An inexpensive product we all need!! They have been around for awhile, but most appraisers did not know about them. I appraise a lot of Victorians. Very useful!!

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10-18-19 Newz: What is Risk? – Fascinating Islands – Fees – Data Standards

By on October 18, 2019   /   Appraisal fees, data, Mortgage applications, real estate market, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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What’s all this stuff about risk?

By George Dell

We seem to be hearing stuff about risk recently. Why?

Back in the old days, before internet but after the wheel – It was my challenge as a new appraiser to scratch together four or five comps, then put three of them on a form, or perhaps even all five on a table. We called the table a ‘grid,’ presumably because it looked like the grid on a bird cage.

I soon discovered I was free to fly around inside the grid cage all I wanted. I adjusted to what I had. I learned to live inside the cage.

Then flying electrons came. They flew right through the grid. There were many. Sometimes even a dozen or more. All claiming to be comp messages. It was too much. I had the five. Should be enough. Yep. That’s what my trainer said. That’s what my appraiser education said. And sure enough, it was on my test for my new appraiser license…

To read more, click here

My comment: Next month’s paid Appraisal Today will have a long article, “Adjust your adjustment, or adjust your attitude?  The Hype and the Reality” by George Dell. Very interesting!

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10-11-19 Newz: Appraisal Waiver Train – Multiple Offers – Secret Doors

By on October 11, 2019   /   adjustments, appraisal business, appraisal waivers, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, weird homes   /   Leave a comment
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Banks Are Driving the Appraisal Waiver Train

By Jonathan Miller

Excerpt: Look at the ASC members and their North Dakota waiver vote on July 9, 2019

Only FHFA and HUD voted against the North Dakota Waiver. Those specific agencies deal with appraisers first-hand and understand their role in the risk management process. The remainder are bank regulators or in the case of CFPD, represent consumer interests (and the agency has been gutted over the past several years to reduce its pro-consumer efforts).

In other words, banks are driving the waiver train. They want to remove a pain point from the mortgage process to grow more origination volume. The Federal government has already proved it will be willing to back up the banks if the economy collapses so why not keep pushing for removing of all pain points?

To read more, click here

My comment: Nothing new. Lenders have wanted to get rid of appraisals for decades. Impediments to The Deal.

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10-4-2019 Newz: Comp Photos – Waivers – No Permits – Rubik’s Cube

By on October 4, 2019   /   adjustments, appraisal, appraisal waivers, bifurcated appraisals, evaluations, george dell, Mortgage applications, real estate market, square footage, unusual home   /   Leave a comment
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When 1,000 square feet doesn’t count

By Ryan Lundquist

Excerpts: One of the most interesting homes I’ve seen just sold. It was brand new, four stories, and a halfplex. Oh, and on paper it was 3,000 sq ft, but about 1,000 sq ft didn’t count in the square footage. This is definitely a conversation piece, so I’m thankful Realtor Brian McMartin agreed to do a Q&A. I hope this will be valuable and interesting. Any thoughts?

Quick points:

This house has 1,000 sq ft that is not permitted as square footage. The “non-conditioned” space looks just like square footage.

Understanding permits really does matter…

Interview with selling agent plus Ryan’s (and appraisers’) comments. Worth reading.

To read more, click here

My comment: I see non-permitted areas in homes a lot in my city, typically converted basements. Fortunately, I can get the permit info easily from the city and the property owner does not “get into trouble” because of my inquiry. I am lucky.

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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

——————————

Fannie Mae Appraiser Home Page

Everything Fannie In One Place!!

To read more, click here

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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.

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9-6-19 Newz: Bidding Wars – Dumb Mistakes – U.S. Abandoned Places

By on September 7, 2019   /   adjustments, bifurcated appraisals, george dell, hybrid appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, weird homes, weird properties   /   Leave a comment
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Can Smart Appraisers Make Dumb Mistakes?

By George Dell, ASA, MAI, SRA

Excerpt: I am a smart and educated, award-winning appraiser. It is not possible for me to be irrational. Of course not. You can see that. I can see that.

A high IQ and education won’t necessarily protect you from highly irrational behavior—and it may sometimes amplify your errors. David Robson, in an Excerpt from The Intelligence Trap

Oh No! Who is this guy!? Doesn’t he know how smart I am? Why, even my peers have said I am smart. I pride myself on my critical thinking. Even my kids say that! What more proof do you need? Let’s get this straight: I am rational, smart, of high IQ and extremely educated, especially in my chosen field!

Recently, scientists have started to measure what things go with irrationality. There is even a name for this field of study, this measure: dysrationalia. The studies roughly parallel the studies of dyslexia and dyscalculia (difficulty in dealing with number things).

Understandable, Well Written and Interesting!! To read more, click here

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