Appraisal Regulator Chaos

Newz: Appraisal Regulator Chaos , Cat and Raccoon Damages, Wildfire Risks

September 5, 2025

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)
NOTE: Scroll down to see Appraisal Regulator Chaos

  • LIA AD: Legal Request for Old Appraisal
  • The Kitty Litter Duplex: An Appraisal I Wish to Not Remember
  • $300K Maryland Home Is Overrun by Feral Cats and Raccoons
  • The Full Measure August 2025: Navigating Rates, Inventory, and Affordability
  • Appraisal Regulatory Chaos
  • The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its Mortgage Lifeline By Dallas T. Kiedrowski, MNAA
  • New Cotality Wildfire Risk Report finds more than 2.6 million homes are exposed to moderate or greater wildfire risk
  • Mortgage applications decreased 1.2 percent from one week earlier
    —————————————————————

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news

————————————————-

———————————————————–

The Kitty Litter Duplex: An Appraisal I Wish to Not Remember

Excerpts: How one property’s furballs left an unforgettable impression on an apartment and an appraiser

Introduction

In the world of real estate, surprises abound. Industry professionals, especially appraisers, all expect the unexpected, but even the most seasoned professionals can stumble across situations that test the limits of their experience, composure, and their judgement. There are stories of haunted houses, collapsing ceilings, and outlandish tenant actions and decorative choices (Live, Laugh, Love), but the tale of the cat-soiled duplex stands out for its sheer yuck-factor. This is the story of what should be a routine property appraisal, which became cemented in my experience stories, due to its unfathomability and coated in an unmistakable, noxious layer of feline mischief.

The Setting: An Unimposing Duplex with a Dirty Little Secret…

The Appraisal Appointment: An Unforgettable First Impression

…I could only see the flooring in the opening and a few other spots around the living room from about a foot outside the threshold, the rest of the floor was completely caked with cat poop. The walls, ceiling, and windows were all enveloped by heavy spider webs in a variety of states, while some were fresh looking, others clearly blackened from a long life filled with dust, dirt, fur, and of course fecal matter. Also, you could see multiple patches of orange mold scattered throughout the walls and ceiling. I quickly replied I would not be going in there, because it was a danger to my health and safety, which somehow surprised her….

Financial and Health Implications: When Cleanliness Becomes a Value Killer

Hygiene, general maintenance, and property values parallel each other. This may be why we have condition codes for our appraisals. Just saying…. I made sure to thoroughly explain the situation and how the value was determined in the report. I did not want this rolling back downhill and getting me. Luckily, a very gracious Fresno Construction, was able to give me a quote very quickly, which came just over $100,000 for an estimate to redo the unit in its entirety.

Conclusion

The Kitty Litter Unit stands as a testament to both the resilience of a property and the unpredictability investors face. Especially in this case, since it was for an estate of a deceased former owner.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: I appraised a house for a relocation company – one story with 3 bedrooms. There were cats on every surface above the floor, such as dressers, – all staring at me of course. In the rear of the home was a very large cat enclosure. They were rescue cats, temporarily at the home. I did not ask the owner where the cats would go when she relocated – back to the shelter or with go with her.  I will never forget about all those cat eyes staring at me!

I had another relocation appraisal where the male cat had sprayed urine along several walls in the living room. I told the relocation company to replace the drywall.

Of course, I could fill up a book with dog stories. Such as two Dobermans that broke down the door of a trailer to get to me. I somehow made it to my car and I will never forget it. Or the small dogs who bit my ankles as I was trying to get through the front door (home was owned by an appraiser I knew). For both appraisals, I told my lender client to get another appraiser.

——————————————————–

300K Maryland Home Is Overrun by Feral Cats and Raccoons

Excerpts: Studio, 960 sq.ft., 4.86 acre, built in 1906

The value is in the land. Do NOT enter the house under any conditions. It is occupied by feral cats and raccoons. How do they get along? I don’t know. Be careful going on the land. It is at your own risk. The house is a teardown and is falling down, although the roof appears newer. From what we know, there is an outhouse on the property, and the drinking water comes from the stream/spring. We don’t believe there is indoor plumbing.

But where else can you get almost five acres of gorgeous Baltimore County land near streams, the NCR trail, and just steps from Bee Tree Preserve? Bring your vision and your money. Seller makes no representations or warranties to anything regarding this property. Buyer must take on responsibility for all tests, easement research, etc. The Subaru is included.

To read more, Click Here

To read the listing, Click Here

My comments: I don’t even want to think about raccoons coming through a dog door and ransacking my kitchen. I have regular raccoon visits in my back yard at night. Once, a long time ago, I left a full trash bag in the rear yard. I never did that again. They keep coming back at night hoping for something to eat, most recently last week. My cat hisses at them to let me know they are there. I shined a flashlight and made a lot of noise. The raccoon left.

——————————————————-

The Full Measure August 2025: Navigating Rates, Inventory, and Affordability

By Kevin Hecht, Appraiser and Economist

Excerpts: As we move toward the end of summer, the housing market is caught between shifting monetary policy signals, a modest rise in inventory, and the stubborn weight of affordability challenges. For appraisers, this month’s backdrop offers both clarity and caution: there are more comparable sales to analyze, but the quality and timing of those comps matter more than ever.

Prices: The Deceleration Continues

While supply is rising, prices are no longer surging. Median home prices grew just 2% year-over-year in July, according to Realtor.com’s analysis of NAR data (Realtor.com, Aug. 22, 2025). On a seasonally adjusted basis, prices are showing slight month-to-month declines.

This reflects what I’ve called in past editions the “lag trap”: comps from three to six months ago may reflect a very different pricing environment. Case-Shiller data confirm that prices have declined for several consecutive months, illustrating how contract dates and closing dates often lag current market conditions.

Final Thoughts

The national data is useful for context, but as always, the real insight comes from understanding your local market. Ask yourself: how does my region fit into this broader story of easing rates, rising inventory, and affordability pressures? Are buyers showing up in greater numbers, or are they still hesitant despite more listings?

The role of the appraiser is more important than ever in this environment. Our job is not simply to reflect past sales, but to interpret where the market is today and where it may be heading tomorrow.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and remember: in a market this dynamic, being accurate matters far more than being fast.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Worth reading the full article. What these topics mean for appraisers is very, very helpful. These are the only articles I have seen that say what the trends mean for appraisers.

—————————————————-
Are you getting too many ad-only emails?

4 ways to get only the FREE email newsletters and NOT the ad-only emails.

1. Twitter: https://twitter.com/appraisaltoday Posted by noon Friday

2. Read on blog www.appraisaltoday.com/blog Posted by noon Friday. You can subscribe to the blog in the upper right of each blog page. NOTE: the popular ads with liability tips are below the first topic on my blog posts.

3. Email Archives: https://appraisaltoday.com/archives

(posted by noon Friday) The link is above and to the left of the big yellow email signup form. Newsletters start with “Newz.” Contains all recent emails sent.

4. Link to the 10 most recent newsletters (no ads) at www.appraisaltoday.com. Scroll down past the big yellow signup block. The newsletters have abbreviated titles, taken from their blog posts.

To read more about the 4 ways, plus information on why I take ads, etc.

Click here

—————————————————

In the September, 2025 issue of Appraisal Today

  • The Future of Appraisal Regulation. The Current Regulatory System is Broken
  • Appraisal Regulator “Chaos” Risks Undermining Real Estate Markets
  • The Power to Define Appraisal Rules for U.S. Real Estate Belongs to TAF (The Appraisal Foundation)

Excerpts:

The Power To Define Appraisal Rules For U.S. Real Estate Belongs To TAF. It’s Desperate Not To Lose It.

The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), the governing body for appraisers across

the U.S., has overseen the way property values are determined for more than 30 years. But in recent years it has come under heightened scrutiny about its influence and effectiveness, both from within the ranks of the appraisal industry and among the federal officials who monitor it.

Since 2020, TAF has been the subject of a federal fair housing probe,

doubled its financial assets and sought to exert more control over – and extract more revenue from – appraisal certification material.

To read the full articles, plus 2+ years of previous issues, subscribe to the paid Appraisal Today at www.appraisaltoday.com/order

Not sure if you want to subscribe?

Sign up for monthly auto renewal for $8.25!

Cancel at any time for any reason! You will receive a prorated refund.

$8.25 per month, $24.75 per quarter, and $89 per year (Best Buy)

or $99 per year or $169 for two years

Subscribers get FREE: past 18+ months of past newsletters

What’s the difference between the Appraisal Today free Weekly email newsletter and the paid Monthly newsletter? Click here for more info.

———————————————————–

If you are a paid subscriber and did not receive the

September 2025 issue emailed on Friday, September 2, 2025 please email info@appraisaltoday.com, and we will send it to you. You can also hit the reply button. Be sure to include a comment requesting it.

—————————————————

The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its Mortgage Lifeline

By Dallas T. Kiedrowski, MNAA

Excerpts:

For decades, we’ve been told that the problem is demand. That people don’t want to live in rural America anymore. That lending dried up because the buyers disappeared. That it’s just the market working as it should. But what if we’ve been telling the wrong story? Because when you look closely, when you actually follow the data, the decisions, and the people left behind, it turns out rural America didn’t walk away from mortgage credit. Mortgage credit walked away from rural America.

The Collapse of Local Lending

… For rural communities, the S&L crisis was a seismic shift. The number of S&Ls was cut nearly in half between 1987 and 1996 (from about 3,622 to 1,924 institutions). And it wasn’t just S&Ls. A wave of bank consolidations swept through in the aftermath. Larger banks absorbed or out-competed small-town banks, especially after laws in the 1990s removed barriers to interstate banking. The result? Two-thirds of all banking institutions have disappeared since the 1980s, plunging from almost 18,000 banks in 1984 to under 5,000 by 2021. This great shakeout left gaping holes in the financial map of rural America. Today, of the nation’s ~1,980 rural counties, 625 have no locally owned community bank at all, double the number in 1999.

In urban and suburban markets, GSE liquidity fueled massive waves of mortgage origination. It created an entire class of homebuyers, investors, and neighborhoods that didn’t exist before. But in rural America, something strange happened. The capital came. But the loans didn’t.

…Something was getting lost in translation for rural communities. The new mortgage market excelled at making 30-year fixed loans on standard houses in large markets, but it struggled with the realities of rural lending.

The Vanishing Rural Appraisers

At the same time, the appraisal workforce, once largely trained by those local S&L’s, began to disappear. In rural counties across the U.S., there were fewer mentors, fewer apprenticeships, and soon, fewer appraisers altogether. And what happens when you don’t have an appraiser? You don’t have an appraisal. And when you don’t have an appraisal, you don’t have a loan. Without local banks hiring and mentoring new appraisers, the pipeline dried up.

A Vicious Cycle: Less Infrastructure, Less Lending, Fewer Homes

Layer by layer, a structural picture emerges. The collapse of local banks and S&Ls removed the on-the ground infrastructure of lending; the appraisers, the loan officers, the branches, the local knowledge. In its place rose a distant, centralized system that has little incentive to adapt to idiosyncratic rural needs. As that system bypasses many rural borrowers (e.g. rejecting “non-conforming” properties or declining small loans), it further depresses the volume of mortgage lending in those areas.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: I was not aware of this lender problem until I read this article. Comprehensive analysis.

When I worked for an assessor’s office in the late 1970s I appraised many rural properties. No problems. When I started my business in 1986 I worked in the Bay Area and appraised relatively few rural properties.

I used to tell appraisers (before AMCs) that when working in a rural area you had little competition. But now, GSE appraisals are much more difficult in rural areas. Fees are too low.

——————————————

New Cotality Wildfire Risk Report finds more than 2.6 million homes are exposed to moderate or greater wildfire risk

Excerpts: Wildfires, once confined to a so-called “wildfire season” are now an ever-present threat, according to a new report published today by Cotality™,a leading global property data and analytics-driven solutions provider. The 2025 Cotality Wildfire Risk Report: Priced Out & Burned Out, finds that more than 2.6 million homes in the Western United States, representing a combined reconstruction cost value of $1.3 trillion, face moderate or greater risk of wildfires, with more than one million of those homes facing very high risk.

Spread across 14 states in the Western United States, nearly half of the homes are in California (1.3 million), with Colorado (319,000), Texas (243,000), Oregon (128,000) and Arizona (124,000) rounding out the top five states with the largest number of homes at risk. These states contain a high number of homes in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) where there is elevated risk due to their proximity to forested or undeveloped areas.

The report also explores the complexities of wildfires by analyzing the Palisades and Eaton fires that occurred in January2025 and resulted in devastating conflagration events. Though both Los Angeles wildfires ignited as conventional wildfires, they transitioned into wildfire-induced conflagration once the fuel shifted from vegetation to the built environment of homes and businesses. The conflagration shift dramatically alters how fires spread and magnifies potential destruction that can occur. Since 2020, wildfire-induced conflagrations have destroyed more than 26,000 structures across the country.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Insurance coverage is more and more difficult to obtain. In California, the state has special coverage through the FAIR plan, but it is very expensive with coverage limits.

Smoke risks can be substantial. Recently, the East Coast had very bad unhealthy heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Mu city is not in a wildfire area but have been affected by heavy smoke from other areas. A few years ago, there were significant lightning fires about 20 miles away. The sky near me looked like a “Nuclear dawn” in the mornings. Very scary.

—————————————————

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. We are all waiting for rates to drop in 2025.

Mortgage applications decreased 1.2 percent from one week earlier

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 3, 2025) — Mortgage applications decreased 1.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 29, 2025.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 1.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 3 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 1 percent from the previous week and was 20 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 3 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased 6 percent compared with the previous week and was 17 percent higher than the same week one year ago.

“Mortgage rates declined last week, with the 30-year fixed rate decreasing to its lowest level since April to 6.64 percent. However, that was not enough to spark more application activity,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Refinance applications saw a small increase from the previous week, driven by FHA and VA refinance applications, but conventional refinances declined. The FHA rate is averaging about 30 basis points lower than the conventional rate in 2025, which has made those loans relatively more appealing to eligible borrowers. Purchase activity pulled back, after a four-week run of increases, as slower homebuying activity led to declines in applications across the various loan types.”

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 46.9 percent of total applications from 45.3 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 8.8 percent of total applications.

The FHA share of total applications increased to 19.9 percent from 19.1 percent the week prior. The VA share of total applications increased to 13.8 percent from 13.3 percent the week prior. The USDA share of total applications remained unchanged at 0.5 percent from the week prior.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($806,500 or less) decreased to 6.64 percent from 6.69 percent, with points decreasing to 0.59 from 0.60 (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 $806,500) decreased to 6.58 percent from 6.67 percent, with points decreasing to 0.39 from 0.44 (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 6.31 percent from 6.35 percent, with points decreasing to 0.74 from 0.80 (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 5.84 percent from 6.03 percent, with points increasing to 0.84 from 0.77 (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 5.90 percent from 5.94 percent, with points decreasing to 0.34 from 0.68 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The survey covers U.S. closed-end residential mortgage applications originated through retail and consumer direct channels. The survey has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks, thrifts, and credit unions. Base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100.

——————————————————

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-Client Relationships for Appraisers

Newz: WA appraisers fee hikes, AI and an appraiser defense

June 20, 2025

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

  • LIA Ad: Protecting My Appraisal Report
  • How to Build Strong Appraiser-Client Relationships
  • Cardiologist Lists Glass Mansion in Jackson Hole for $60 Million
  • WA Appraisers Stung by Fee Hikes and Veto
  • FOIA, AI, & the Appraiser’s Defense: A Blueprint for Fighting Back
  • MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

—————————————————————

Real Estate Agents and Comparable Sales – Tips for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news

 

———————————————————–

 

—————————————————————–

How to Build Strong Appraiser-Client Relationships

Excerpts: The most successful appraisers are those who consistently bring in new clients. Are you looking to earn more referrals and repeat business? Start by fostering good relationships with your appraisal customers. Taking the time and effort to build strong appraiser-client relationships is a great way to establish a good reputation and distinguish yourself from the competition so that you can easily generate new business through client referrals and word-of-mouth.

Not sure where to begin? To help you out, we asked our community of real estate appraisers, “Which is MOST important for building strong appraiser-client relationships?” Read their responses below for insights into several effective strategies you can use to keep your customers happy and keep business flowing.

Produce credible, high-quality work (47%)

Have clear communication (20%)

Be courteous and professional (11%)

Deliver reports on time (7%)

Go above and beyond (4%)

Other (7%)

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Worth reading the appraiser comments.

Read more!!

The Sales Comparison Approach in Appraisals

Newz: Shadowy AMC Fees, State Board Complaints, Borrower Questions

January 24, 2025

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

  • LIA AD: Borrower Wants Answers Appraiser Can’t Give
  • The Sales Comparison Approach: A Cornerstone of Real Estate Appraisal
  • Waterfront Home in Boca Raton, FL $25,000,000
  • Metrics – What Poetry and Data Analysis Have in Common
  • The Shadowy AMC Fees Draining Billions from Homebuyers
  • Why Report a State Board Investigation or Complaint?
  • Trump signs executive order to reduce housing costs, but will it work?
  • Mortgage applications increased 0.1 percent from one week earlier

—————————————————————————————–

The Sales Comparison Approach: A Cornerstone of Real Estate Appraisal

By Kevin Hecht

Excerpts: For experienced real estate appraisers, the sales comparison approach is more than just a method — it is a reflection of their expertise and competency in the marketplace. By mastering this approach and staying informed about industry standards and technological advancements, appraisers can ensure that their work meets the highest standards of professionalism and accuracy.

Challenges and Best Practices

While the sales comparison approach is a powerful tool, it is not without challenges. Appraisers may encounter situations where there is a lack of recent sales data or where the subject property is unique. In such cases, appraisers must exercise judgment and creativity to develop credible results.

Some common challenges include:

Inadequate Market Data: In markets with limited sales activity, finding comparable properties can be difficult. Appraisers may need to expand their search geographically or consider older sales, making appropriate adjustments for time.

Dissimilar Comparables: When the subject property has unique features, it may be challenging to find truly comparable sales. Appraisers must carefully analyze and adjust for these differences.

Unsupported Adjustments: Adjustments must be based on market evidence. Unsupported or arbitrary adjustments can undermine the credibility of the appraisal.

To overcome these challenges, appraisers should:

  • Conduct thorough market research to identify the best available comparables.
  • Use both quantitative and qualitative analysis to support adjustments.
  • Document their reasoning and methodology clearly in the appraisal report.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Good reminders of the Sales Comparison Approach.

—————————————————————————————-

—————————————————————-

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!

——————————————————————–

Waterfront Home in Boca Raton, FL $25,000,000

Excerpts: 12 bedrooms, 11 baths, 12,709 sq.ft., 0.53 Acres, Built in 2016

Direct Intracoastal Point Lot with 256 ft of Waterfrontage and .53 Acres. Built of John Ross/ ROSSCO Const, the beauty of the lot is that it is sited on an expansive Nautical turn of the Intracoastal so it captures the gorgeous long North views.

There are 2 staircases, one with Marble & tile work by a Canadian Artist and banister designed by a metal artist and the owner, the other is a tree staircase The best part is you do not have to climb down the stairs as there is a hand crafted wooden Dragon Slide from the second floor to the foyer. The central slide seen from the front door is artizanally made from oak by local artist. The observation deck (covered) offers stunning views of the Intracoastal, and it includes another outside shower, and solar panels.

In the middle there is a 20 sitting Norse carved table with Helga and Magnus dragons protecting it. There are tile murals, stained glass windows and ceiling paintings all over the house, also thematic. The kitchen is dedicated to the Elements of Air and a story of its power is depicted on its ceiling.

To see the listing and 209 Photos, Click Here

My comments: Thanks to Joe Lynch for this listing with very colorful exterior and interiors!

Read more!!

Market Trends and Market Conditions Adjustments Appraisals

Newz: GSE New Market Conditions Policy, State Board Complaints, Waivers

December 6, 2024

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

  • LIA ad – Navigating Value Revisions in Appraisals
  • Market Trends and Market Conditions Adjustments.
  • A Ferrari Inspired Masterpiece With 20K square Feet of Luxury Resort Amenities Listed at 55 Million in Delray Beach FL
  • November 2024 Real Estate Market Update By Kevin Hecht
  • 5 Tips to Handle Appraisal Board Complaints
  • Correcting the Record: Accurate Group’s Commitment to Compliance and Industry Excellence
  • FHFA’s Massive Expansion of Appraisal Waivers: What It Really Means
  • Mortgage applications increased 2.8 percent from one week earlier

————————————————–

———————————————————-

Market Trends and Market Conditions Adjustments

Working through the new Market Conditions policy and advisory from Fannie Mae

By Ken Dicks

Excerpts: Did Fannie Mae just throw a wrench into how residential appraisal reports for mortgage transactions are completed with their recent announcement on Market Conditions?

As an appraiser, it is highly likely at some point you will see the following or a similar request soon after your appraisal is submitted to your client, or even months after your appraisal is accepted by your client: Please provide support for your market conditions adjustment conclusions.

Appraisal Quality Control and Appraisal Quality Assurance create a revision request minefield filled with Lender and Investor tailored appraisal reporting requirements and preferences. Review of the appraisal reports is required by the lender or whoever the lender chooses to delegate this requirement to (i.e. Appraisal Desk, AMC, etc.).

As a practicing appraiser, the announcement and accompanying exhibit prompted a series of questions in my mind.

  • Does Fannie Mae want to see this specific graph in all appraisals?
  • What does USPAP say?
  • What level of data and analysis does an appraiser need to present when providing support for market conditions adjustments?

The following is where I have arrived at developing answers:…

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Worth reading the full article, plus the appraiser comments.

I am so glad I have not done any GSE appraisals since 2008! I don’t care what the GSEs say. I comply with USPAP. Of course, I always make market adjustments on my residential appraisals or explain why no adjustments was needed. It is the only dollar adjustment I make on non-lender forms unless the subject has an unusual feature requiring research and analysis.

—————————————————————————–

Read more!!

Q3 Fannie Update – Concessions, Rural, Environmental Hazards

Newz: Fannie Update, Concessions Are a Mess, State Board Complaints

October 4, 2024

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

  • State Board Complaints and Renewal

  • Q3 2024 Fannie Mae Appraiser Update – Concessions, Rural, Environmental Hazards

  • $47 Million Ski Chalet With Private Tesla-Style Gondola, Bowling Alley, and Basketball Court

  • September 2024 Real Estate Market Update: What Appraisers Need to Know By Kevin Hecht

  • The hot mess of concessions in real estate By Ryan Lundquist

  • That A-Frame Life: What It’s Really Like To Live in These Triangular Houses

    —————————————————————–

    Appraisal Business Tips 

    Humor for Appraisers

    Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

————————————————————————————

Q3 2024 Fannie Mae Appraiser Update – Concessions, Rural, Environmental Hazards

Excerpts:

Rural

Worth reading with links to Fannie info, including a link to: Free Fannie online Rural Appraisal Challenges eLearning course. Plus other tips.

Environmental Hazards

While Fannie Mae does not expect the appraiser to be an expert in the field of environmental hazards, we do expect appraisers to analyze and report any information about environmental hazards that is available in the normal course of business…

If an appraiser has knowledge of or identifies an environmental hazard in or on the subject property or on any site within the vicinity of the property, we require the appraiser to…

Seller Concessions

The article about seller concessions in our December 2023 Appraiser Update generated a lot of questions and buzz.

First, we heard that some appraisers, in reaction to our article, adopted a practice of always adjusting dollar for dollar for seller concessions. While this may seem sensible from a theoretical perspective, it could have adverse unintended consequences (such as undervaluation) if the concession did not actually have a dollar-for-dollar impact on the price. Making either assumption (that there is no impact or that the impact is dollar-for-dollar) is not the correct approach…

PSAs – UAD, Bias with useful links to Fannie info

To read more, Click Here

My Comments: Read the concessions section to see what Fannie Mae says on this hot topic! Plus the useful info and links on other topics above.

See Ryan Lundquist’s post below on Concessions – A Mess

Read more!!

Low Appraisal Fees in 2024

CFPB Crackdown: Unfair Practices Hurting Consumers

This includes Appraisal payments to appraisers by AMCs

by Josh Tucker, June 5, 2024

Comments must be received on or before August 2, 2024

Excerpts: As we all know many AMCs are not paying Customary & Reasonable fee as required by TILA. They have consistently pushed down the pay of Appraisers while making undisclosed profit off consumers and prioritizing cheapest and fastest over quality and competency. The CFPB has been in communication with individuals behind the scenes and are concerned with what has been shown enough to include AMCs in their data collection process.

Now is the time to send them everything we have. To drive legitimate change, we must encourage as many appraisers as possible to submit all relevant information to the contact details provided below.

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

[Docket No. CFPB-2024-0021] NOTE: USE THIS LINK TO READ THE DOCUMENT AND THIS NAME TO USE THE COMMENTS PORTAL BELOW.

Request for Information Regarding Fees Imposed in Residential Mortgage Transactions AGENCY: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. CFPB-2024-0021, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the instructions for submitting comments. NOTE: THE SEARCH WAS NOT WORKING ON JUNE 6. MAY WORK LATER. CAN USE EMAIL.

Email: 2024-RFI-ResidentialMortgageFees@CFPB.gov. Include Docket No. CFPB-2024-0021 in the subject line of the message.

Mail / Hand Delivery / Courier: Comment Intake —Residential Mortgage Fees Assessment, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: DO SOMETHING. YOUR VOICE MATTERS. Let CFPB know about the amount of AMC fees for appraisers, plus other problems. In my opinion, AMCs are ruining residential lender appraising. I have never worked for an AMC, but I’ve been appraising for almost 50 years and understand the problems.

==============================================

Appraisal Fees & Value: Lessons from Picasso & Steinmetz

By “Apex Appraiser” June 3, 2024

The Appraisal Institute has been a source of frustration and criticism within the appraisal profession for quite some time. I must admit that I have also expressed my dissatisfaction with them. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that the new CEO, Cindy Chance, appears to be a positive change and is making some valuable points about our profession from her new position. In particular, she recently discussed appraisal fees in a piece she wrote.

In this excerpt, she shares two stories that provide valuable insights. These stories, one involving art and the other science, highlight the fact that appraising is a combination of both.

First is the story about a young woman who encountered Pablo Picasso one spring day, in a park, sketching. She begged him to sketch her. He graciously agreed, and following a few moments of study and drawing, handed her a sketch of herself. When she asked what she owed him, Picasso answered “$5,000 madam.” “But it only took you five minutes.” “No, madam, it took me my whole life.”

To read more, plus many appraiser comments, Click Here

My comments: Worth reading, plus the appraisers comments. I have been following CEO Cyndi Chance since she started working for AI. It’s definitely a “breath of fresh air” for the AI!

======================================

 

Appraisers Riding the Waves of Up and Down Mortgage Rates

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on state appraisal boards, liability, appraiser insurance, price per sq.ft. up 50%, sea level rise, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc

Read more!!

Tools To Support Appraisal Adjustments

What Tools Do You Use to Support Your Appraisal Adjustments?

By McKissock

As part of our monthly survey series, we asked our community of real estate appraisers, “What tool(s) do you use to support your appraisal adjustments?” Respondents were allowed to make multiple selections and write in their own answers as well.

Popular tools include Synapse by Spark, Solomon Adjustment Calculator, and Redstone by Bradford Technologies. The majority of respondents said they use a combination of various tools and methods, such as paired sales analysis.

We’ve included “paired sales/matched pair analysis” in the list as well, even though it’s a method rather than a digital or appraisal software tool, because it was mentioned by so many appraisers.

A few sample appraiser comments:

“I am capable of determining the adjustments without any software. I look at the MLS data and am able to determine appropriate adjustments. I would need to know all of the assumptions the software takes into consideration before I would trust the adjustment with my signature.”

“I use Synapse by Spark for typical property adjustments and Solomon for more complex properties.”

In addition to the top answers, we received many other write-in responses. Sample responses:

Allocation method

Depreciation

Cost to build

Sample appraiser comments

“Due to rural location, there are no algorithmic tools to be utilized for adjustment data. I utilize paired and grouped data analysis and experience and knowledge.”

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Short, well written, and Very Interesting, especially the appraiser’s comments! I quit doing adjustments a while ago. I always do market conditions adjustments (or explain why not) and for views and other factors that significantly add to value.

I have never used any of the appraisal software listed above. I use Excel and MLS data. I often go back in time for comps with views, etc. I also interview agents to see what they say. Not for a number, but about marketability.

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on Geographic Data and Comps, effect of renovation on value, very low foreclosures now, current real estate market, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

Read more!!

Appraisers Riding the Waves of Up and Down Mortgage Rates 

The Surfing Appraiser

Riding the Waves of Up and Down Mortgage Rates 

By Mark Buhler

Excerpts: Riding the waves of the appraisal profession can result in a range of outcomes and emotions over time. Appraisers, and surfers, have varying levels of experience, and experiences. Most appraisers have been through some extremely busy seasons that have been very positive. Those same appraisers have gone through droughts, where appraisal orders dried up.

Appraisers have been blessed to have the independence and autonomy to create whatever they want for themselves. Most workers in America do not have the same opportunities for success and advancement that appraisers have. Look at this lull as a time of opportunity. A time to finally work on and execute a plan for your business.

During the refinance boom of the early 2020’s, the majority of appraisers did not have time to come up for air. The waves of work kept them down, and every time they got a chance-they grabbed the next order (or wave) and maximized the opportunity while it was there. Appraisers were busy cranking out appraisal reports. Now appraisers are not busy, but they should be. Do not get out of the water and put your surfboard away. Stay out there, splash around in the calm ocean, there are waves coming.

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Read the full article! This article uses surfing as an excellent illustration. In my 20s, I lived in my van for a few years and parked it near my surfer friends’ house in Santa Cruz, CA. They surfed every morning when the waves were good (Steamer Lane), cold or raining. When the waves were low, they stayed home or went over to see if there were any changes. I watched and listened to them talk about it and learned a lot. A very good analogy to appraising.

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on , , VA changes, State Appraisal Board problems, gratitude for appraisers, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

Read more!!

NAR Member Survey on Appraisal Data Collectors

NAR  Member Survey on Data Collectors

Excerpts: In May 2023, NAR surveyed its members pertaining to data collectors in the appraisal process. Here are a few of the many survey results.

Survey respondents

Sales agents accounted for the largest proportion, with 45% of participants holding this license. Brokers followed with 24%, and appraisal-certified professionals comprised 14% of the respondents. Broker-Associates and Appraisal Licensees accounted for 13% and two percent, respectively, while the remaining two percent reported holding other types of real estate licenses.

According to the survey responses, the majority of participants (76%) perceive the quality of property data collected by data collectors to be lower than that collected by appraisers themselves. Conversely, 23% of respondents believe that the quality of data collected by data collectors is comparable to that of appraisers.

The survey findings indicate that 30% of respondents reported that a data collector had given them the impression that they were the appraiser or had a role other than merely collecting property data.

Fifty-one percent of respondents expressed safety concerns with the data collection process.

To read more, click here

My comments: Now we know what NAR members think about it. Not very positive. I was surprised at how negative they were. Read the full report. Very interesting. I am working on an article on Hybrid Appraisals for the November issue of Appraisal Today. To me, the big issue is who is doing the inspections. Only appraisers do the appraisals. I see very different levels of inspectors.

Before Covid, I talked with various AMC upper-level managers who were testing it. What they were doing about inspectors had a wide range. They included appraisers, real estate agents, and someone with a week, a month, or online video training. They should definitely not be paid the same. An AMC can offer different levels to their clients, depending on how much reliability their lender customers want or need.

On a more positive side, I have done thousands of drive by appraisals since 1986. I drove by the house and looked at what was nearby, etc. For example, I’m appraising a Victorian built before 1910. There is no way to know what the inside looks like or the foundation (many are brick). Using MLS photos is a joke, as real estate agents don’t take photos of defects. A buyer gets a seller’s disclosure statement for that information. I would be more comfortable if someone used an app that was set up to take specific photos, do floor plan, etc. At least I would have some independent photos.

Data Collectors: Appraisers vs. Uber Drivers

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on  Fannie and state regulators, appraiser inspection training, real estate market, unusual homes, mortgage origination

Read more!!

Appraiser Countersues Alleged Discrimination

Appraiser Countersues Black Plaintiffs Who Alleged Discrimination

by Isaac Peck, Publisher WorkingRE

There are now a number of lawsuits facing appraisers where the primary allegation is racial discrimination.

Tate-Austin v. Janette Miller, filed in California in Dec. 2021, was one of the first (and perhaps the most publicized). But since late 2021, a number of similar lawsuits have popped up—from North Carolina to Maryland.

Connolly & Mott v. Shane Lanham et al. is one highly publicized lawsuit covered at length by mainstream media–CBS News, The New York Times, NBC, CNN, ABC News, and more.

Filed in August 2022 in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, Connolly and Mott allege that Lanham discriminated against them and violated professional appraisal standards because of his allegedly “racist beliefs” (among other things).

Mr. Lanham is now countersuing Connolly and Mott for labeling him a racist, making false and defamatory accusations, and causing severe harm to his business, his reputation, and his well-being. Alongside his counterclaim, Lanham has also filed a Motion to Dismiss Connolly and Mott’s initial claim, arguing that they have failed to show any facts that support he discriminated against them.

“Plaintiffs cannot transform allegations of incompetence or a breach of appraisal industry standards into racial discrimination by baldly alleging that Mr. Lanham believed that Plaintiffs did not belong in their neighborhood and that their home was worth less than other homes because of their race. There are no facts alleged in the First Amended Complaint, and none can be alleged with good faith, that Mr. Lanham treated Plaintiffs any differently than homeowners of other races,” the motion reads.

To read more, click here

My comments: Long article and worth reading. Discusses many issues and lawsuits. I don’t write about this topic much. My opinion is that everyone is biased against something. I learned I was biased against young Black men when I was on a criminal jury many years ago.

When a young Black man, the defendant, walked into court, I immediately thought he was guilty. I sent a note to the judge who excused me publically in court. I was very, very embarrassed. But it would have been a lot worse to stay on the jury and vote to convict him. My parents raised us not to be prejudiced against anyone. But I grew up in Tulsa, OK, next to Greenwood, an area of successful Black residents prior to 1921. The Tulsa race massacre occurred on May 31, 1921. I never heard it mentioned by anyone. Older people, who knew about it, never spoke of it. Some newspaper issues were destroyed.

I assume that since I had been appraising in high crime neighborhoods, I became prejudiced. I work hard not to show it. I don’t cross the street when I see a young black man coming towards me, and I smile when we pass, but I do get a little nervous. What is most important is recognizing and not acting on your prejudice.

I have been tempted to lower a value when an owner’s large do dog jumps on me or tries to bite me. But I know I don’t like aggressive large dogs and don’t let it affect my value.

Of course, some appraisers could be biased. But, for residential lender appraisers, there is no advantage to coming in “low” on any residential lender appraisal. You may lose a client.

In the past, appraisers were trained by FHA to redline, with lower values in Black neighborhoods. Appraisal textbooks and classes included this. But, it all changed in the mid-1970s, when I started appraising and was no longer allowed. Hopefully, I would not have become an appraiser working for residential lenders before then because of the obvious bias.

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on AirBnB, state board complaints, real estate market, non-lender appraisals, unusual homes, mortgage origination stats, etc.

TO READ MORE CLICK BELOW

===============================================

Read more!!