How to Appraise Basements

By on February 20, 2026   /   AMCs, appraisal how to, UAD 3.6   /   Leave a comment
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Newz: Appraising Basements, AMCs,

Who is doing UAD 3.6 appraisals?

February 20, 2026

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

  • LIA AD: Limiting Liability to Third Parties
  • Basement Appraisals: Understanding Contributory Value (Updated for UAD 3.6)
  • Fascinating ‘Basement Home’ That Rises Just Inches Above the Ground Hits the Market for Less Than $160K
  • The AMCs: Coming Soon to a Lawsuit Near You
  • MY AD: The Cost Approach for Appraisers is not popular, by Tim Andersen, MAI
  • 26% of Appraisers Feel Ready: What UAD 3.6 Demand
  • Mortgage applications increased 2.8 percent from one week earlier
  • Have you received a UAD 3.6 order yet? Survey.
  • MBA: Mortgage applications increased 2.8 percent from one week earlier

Basement Issues and Values

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Basement Appraisals: Understanding Contributory Value (Updated for UAD 3.6)

Excerpts: While homeowners may ask, “Does a finished basement add value to my appraisal?” you know the answer is a bit more complicated. A basement may impact a residential property’s value, and as an appraiser, you’ll need to evaluate its significance.

While determining the contributory value of basements isn’t overly complex, it does pose challenges. To help you out, we’ll outline essential steps and provide tips for evaluating a basement’s contributory value.

Summary

Determining how a basement contributes to a residential property’s value requires an appraiser to identify the basement type, its level of finishing, and any common concerns, like signs of mold or structural issues. Following best practices is key. This includes separating the basement from the above-grade finished area, understanding the intended use of the space, and completing comprehensive market research. By doing so, you can evaluate the basement’s contributory value more accurately

Topics include:

Types of basements (partial list)

Cellars

Partial Basements

Walk-Up Basements

How Is the Basement Finished? Determining Levels

Know the Intended Use and Client Requirements

To read more, Click Here

My comments: The best analysis and advice on basements I have seen. Watch the 7 minute video on Understanding Q/C ratings (UAD 3.6) Where I work the ground does not freeze. In my Island city there is no cemetery as the ground water from San Francico Bay is very high. Basements need pumps to remove salt water. Basement walls are not used to support the home. Sometimes there are above ground basements, basements dug out of the ground, and many other types of basements. In steep hillside areas what is a “basement” can be controversial.

In Alameda, my city, native American burials, primarily from the Ohlone people, are heavily concentrated in former shellmounds (ancient cemeteries) throughout Alameda. Almost were removed many years ago, similar to other Bay area cities close to the Bay.

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ANSI and UAD 3.6 for Appraisers

By on February 13, 2026   /   ANSI, new appraisers, New URAR, trainees, UAD 3.6, USPAP   /   Leave a comment
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Newz: ANSI and UAD 3.6, Trainee Inside the Fast and Cheap Model

February 13, 2026

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

  • LIA AD: Buyer Wants Lower Price to Negotiate
  • ANSI Z765 and the New UAD 3.6: What Appraisers Need to Know
  • New York Lumber Baron’s Private Island Retreat Hits the Market for $2.7 Million—With a Historic 8-Bedroom Mansion
  • We Will Always Need Appraisers: Josh Walitt on Valuation, Technology, and Adaptability By Isaac Peck, Publisher WorkingRE
  • MY AD: What is new in the New URAR. List of data requests for each page of UAD 3.6 SFR report.
  • The Trainee Inside the Fast and Cheap Model
  • The Ethics of Credibility in Real Estate Appraisal By Timothy Andersen, MAI
  • MBA: Mortgage applications decreased 0.3 percent from one week earlier

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ANSI Z765 and the New UAD 3.6: What Appraisers Need to Know

Excerpts:

Why ANSI Z765 Matters More Under UAD 3.6

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both adopted ANSI Z765 as the standard for measuring one-unit detached and attached dwellings. For years, ANSI shaped how appraisers calculated gross living area, but measurement practices still varied from one professional to another. Under the new UAD 3.6 framework, those differences matter more because:

The URAR now breaks out finished area by level, making ANSI designations part of the form structure.

Lenders run automated checks that compare the sketch, GLA figures, and room-level data for consistency.

Any mismatch can trigger a revision request, a CU warning, or a QC hold.

In short, ANSI is no longer just a best practice. It’s now deeply connected to how the form captures data and how lenders review appraisals.

Core ANSI Rules that Every Appraiser Must Apply

ANSI Z765 is the national standard for measuring single-family homes. Appraisers must follow the standard in full when required by the assignment. Key elements include:

Above-Grade vs. Below-Grade

A basement is any area partially or fully below grade, regardless of finish. Even if it includes high-quality living space, it must be reported as below-grade finished area, not GLA.

Ceiling Height Requirements….

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Good review of ANSI standards and how they change with UAD 3.6

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Crazy Appraisal Stories! We all have them!!

By on April 22, 2022   /   ANSI, desktop appraisals, forecast, future, humor   /   Leave a comment
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Crazy Appraisal Stories!

Excerpts: Not Just Measuring Homes and Taking Pictures
I went to appraise a home for a movie producer in Brentwood, California. I knocked on the door, and one of the producer’s boyfriends opened the door and invited me in. He was completely naked. He told me that whatever I do, don’t let the cat out. As I went room to room taking photos, I met another naked boyfriend. He also told me not to let the cat out. As I went to the second floor of the house, I met the producer who was also naked. He told me again, “don’t let the cat out.”
I’m approaching the rear patio door to take pics of the rear of the house. Outside I see a beautiful pure-bred Persian cat. I know I didn’t let the cat out but I sure as hell better get it back in the house. I started chasing the cat in the rear yard. Finally, I grabbed it, but not before it ripped my blouse and caused my hands to bleed. Huffing and puffing from the chase, I tossed the cat back into the house and closed the door. A few moments later one of the naked boyfriends came over and said “that’s the neighbor’s cat. Get him out of the house.” I then had to chase the cat again. Finally, I caught the cat and put him out of the house. I was left there panting with a torn blouse and bleeding hands, thinking appraising homes is definitely not just measuring homes, taking pics, and typing up forms.
-Mary Cummins
To read more, click here
My comments: Just For Fun! We’ve all got these stories!

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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To read more of this long blog post with many topics, click Read More Below!!

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

 

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PAVE Appraiser Bashing

By on April 1, 2022   /   ANSI, bias, desktop appraisals   /   Leave a comment
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PAVE Action Plan to Advance Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity

By McKissock, March 23, 2022
Two of the more controversial recommendations:
Excerpts:
Inform Federal Housing Administration (FHA) borrowers about the process to request a reconsideration of a valuation when the initial valuation is lower than expected.
Perhaps the most far-reaching recommendation for action is number 1.6, which states, “Develop a legislative proposal that modernizes the governance structure of the appraisal industry to improve transparency and public participation in the establishment of appraisal standards and appraiser qualification criteria, and to advance diversity in the profession.” Translation: Amend FIRREA to remove references to The Appraisal Foundation and transfer the Foundation’s authority to write appraisal standards and qualifications to the Appraisal Subcommittee or another federal government entity.
As of this writing, no proposed legislation related to the PAVE recommendations has been introduced. Because committees in both the Senate and the House are holding hearings, a bill (or, more likely, bills) can be expected very soon. Stay tuned.
Short and worth reading. To read more, including links to the full PAVE report and the summary, click here
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AEI’s Comments on PAVE Report
Excerpt: The Brookings and Freddie Mac studies are not based on rigorous data analysis. Most importantly, they conflate race with socio-economic status (SES), i.e. income, buying power, marriage rates, credit scores, etc. Race-based gaps found in the Brookings and Freddie Mac studies either entirely or substantially disappear when adjusting for differences in SES. Furthermore, our analyses show that similar gaps are present in majority White or White-only tracts across different SES levels, raising serious questions regarding a race-based explanation.
To read more, click here
My comment: American Enterprise Institute is a conservative “think tank” and has also supported the appraisers’ side on other issues.
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Congress Committee Meetings on Appraisal Bias

Strengthening Oversight and Equity in the Appraisal Process
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Appraiser Witness: James Park, Executive Director Appraisal Subcommittee
To watch, click here
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Devalued, Denied, and Disrespected: How Home Appraisal Bias and Discrimination Are Hurting Homeowners and Communities of Color Tuesday, March 29, 2022

House Financial Services Committee

Appraiser speakers:
  • Pledger M. Bishop, III, President, Appraisal Institute
  • David S. Bunton, President, The Appraisal Foundation
  • Dean Kelker, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, SingleSource Property Solutions, on behalf of the Real Estate Valuation Advocacy Association
To watch, click here
My comments: I was not able to watch either of these meetings before writing this newsletter.
Jonathan Miller attended the virtual March 24 meeting and had comments on the March 24 and 29 hearings. To read his comments, click here Scroll down to “James Park”
His blog post for today (usually sent around 11 AM EST) may have comments on the March 29 meeting. To read his comments, click here. Search for “devalued” (Hopefully, this link works.)

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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Desktop appraisals – Lots of Info Available!

By on March 25, 2022   /   bias, desktop appraisals, Fannie, FHA   /   Leave a comment
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Desktop appraisals – Lots of Info Available
Fannie and Freddie started using Desktops on March 19, 2022

Both a floor plan and a building sketch with dimensions and GLA calculations are required. ANSI is not required.

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March 2022 Fannie Mae Appraiser Update: 

Link to March Appraiser Update, click here:

Link to “About Desktop Appraisals” PDF with 5 pages of information, click here Watch the Noble Appraiser explore the benefits of performing desktop appraisals:
The Desktop Appraisal Discovery Link to Noble Appraiser on desktops video, click here 

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McKissock: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Desktop Appraisals: Your Questions Answered

Excerpts: In January 2022, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a desktop appraisal option that goes live in mid-March 2022. In various articles and opinion pieces, some claim that desktop appraisals will solve the appraiser shortage and modernize the appraisal process, while others claim that they will cause the demise of the appraisal profession.

Here are a few of the 16 questions answered

  • What is a desktop appraisal?
  • Does USPAP require me to complete an inspection?
  • What data sources are used for identifying the subject’s relevant characteristics?
  • Are there any state restrictions?
  • Must I be competent in the subject’s market area?
  • Are extraordinary assumptions allowed?
  • Does the limited scope of work mitigate my liability?
  • Won’t these types of valuations be risky for the lender

To read more, click here

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Bradford Software Webinar Floor Plans for Desktops – Discover Your Options with 7 Floor Plan Providers March 24, 2022 (1 hour, 34 minutes), with comments from Scott Reuter of Freddie Mac.

It was recorded and is available at https://vimeo.com/692030955

I did not have time to watch it yesterday.

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My comments on the above resources: What’s the best resource(s) for you?

Noble appraiser video is short (3 min. 34 seconds) understandable and very informative. Fannie Mae is “the source” for desktops. McKissock’s Q and A post is well written, understandable with short answers.

Bradford’s video has demos of 7 app providers for floor plans and sketches.

If lenders will use them much is very uncertain. The Covid desktops were never widely adopted. No one knows now which cell phone apps will be used, who will use them, and their accuracy (tested by an independent company). Minimum of an IPhone 12 Pro, with LIDAR camera. Appraisers who have tested them say the floor plans are good, but sketches with dimensions and floor plans may not be accurate on complicated home designs.

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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Fannie ANSI Update – 19 New FAQs

By on March 18, 2022   /   ANSI, appraisal business, Fannie Forms, Reviews   /   Leave a comment
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Fannie ANSI FAQs Update

Updated Standardized Property Measurement Guidelines – 19 new FAQs, 5 Pages

Excerpt from the short Fannie email sent 3-15-22 at 8 AM (Pacific time): “…Are you ready? We’ve updated the Standardized Property Measuring Guidelines fact sheet to include more answers to your frequently asked questions. Thanks to all the appraisers, AMCs, and lenders who submitted questions.”
My comment: There are no changes to the first page, including comps measured differently and the exception process. Links are included for references in Fannie’s Selling Guide in the Guidelines.
FAQ topics include:
Q5. When common practice in the local market differs from the ANSI standard, can the appraiser modify the subject’s GLA to conform to local custom?
Q8. The ANSI standard specifically notes that the definition of above and below grade could cause some houses to have no above-grade finished square footage.
How should appraisers report GLA in this scenario?
Q9. How will lenders know that appraisers used the ANSI standard?
Q15. Will appraiser adherence to the ANSI standard cause confusion when the subject GLA differs from other sources such as MLS or public record?
Q16. How should appraisers account for rooms located in above-grade finished areas that do not qualify as GLA under the ANSI standard?
Q18. The GLA of comparables available to appraisers may not be based on the ANSI standard. How should appraisers manage this issue?
Q19. How should appraisers value finished areas that the ANSI standard does not include in GLA, such as where the ceiling height is less than 7 feet?
To download the PDF to read the answers and other FAQs,  click here
My comments: Read This Document! I have been waiting for an update to the one-page original Fannie document since it was first released about 3 months ago. There are many, many issues when using ANSI for lenders and AMCs. Appraisers sent many questions to Fannie and made comments during webinars with Fannie.
If you’re looking for a class, webinar, or other ANSI info, go to www.appraisaltoday.com/ANSI

Appraisal Business Tips 

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Fannie’s New Desktop Appraisal FAQs

By on March 11, 2022   /   ANSI, appraisal how to, bias, Clubhouse, desktop appraisals, Fannie   /   Leave a comment
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Fannie’s New Desktop FAQs

Timeline and 19 FAQs From an email received 3-8-22
“Desktop appraisals will be offered in Desktop Underwriter® (DU®) for eligible transactions starting March 19. Are you ready?
We’ve updated the About desktop appraisals fact sheet with an expanded frequently asked questions section.
Thanks to all the appraisers, AMCs, and lenders who submitted questions, and please continue to Contact us with your appraisal related comments and questions.”
To read the FAQs, click here
My comment: Reading the original Fannie document is good, such as a timeline list, additional verifications, inspections, CU, etc.
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McKissock has an excellent blog post answering many practical questions, including some in the Fannie FAQs and many other questions.
Topics include:
  • What data sources are used for identifying the subject’s relevant characteristics?
  • Are there any state restrictions?
  • Must I be competent in the subject’s market area?
  • Are extraordinary assumptions allowed?
  • Does the limited scope of work mitigate my liability?
  • What is the difference between a sketch and a floor plan?
  • How do I get a floor plan?
  • Does the floor plan need to be verified?
  • Does the property need to be measured per ANSI measurement standards per Fannie Mae’s requirements?
To read more, click here
My comment: Read both the Fannie FAQs and McKissock blog post. How often will desktops be used? It will take a while before they may be widely adopted. See last week’s newsletter. When are we going to get some ANSI FAQs????

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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Fannie Wants Desktop Appraisals with Floor Plans

By on March 4, 2022   /   ANSI, AVMS, bias, Clubhouse, desktop appraisals, Fannie   /   Leave a comment
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to launch remote desktop appraisals in 2022

Desktop appraisals with floor plans

Excerpt:
Beginning March 19, 2022, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will accept remote desktop appraisals nationwide on eligible transactions without the appraiser ever stepping foot on the subject property, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced.
To read more, click here
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Link to FHFA announcement 10/18/21 with more information,click here
My comments: When they submit loan applications, lenders receive a list of appraisal types available for their loans, including waivers. Lenders did not widely choose the desktop Covid appraisals. They preferred full appraisals.
I ran an ad for Cubicasa (floor plan app) on Tuesday this week and got some appraiser complaints. I will be testing it soon and hopefully will be able to use it in my appraisals.
Many anticipate that lender adoption will be slow, including Lyle Radke from Fannie and a group email posting from an appraiser who recently attended a state Mortgage Bankers’ meeting. He said:
“I was on a 4 appraiser panel with +/-60 LO’s representing 20 different lenders. I asked for a show of hands-on how many would be offering Desktop or Hybrid appraisals on March 19… There was not a single hand raised. “
“When we discussed the Desktop and Hybrids, most had no idea about the differences in the two products… All 4 of us thought that the turn time “might” be reduced by 1-2 business days. So, based on a small sample, this may not be as much of a problem as some appraisers think. “

Appraisal Business Tips 

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1004MC or 1004 ANSI

By on February 25, 2022   /   ANSI, appraisal forms, liability, real estate market   /   Leave a comment
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1004MC or 1004 ANSI

By George Dell, MAI

Excerpt: The 1004MC “market conditions” appraisal addendum was created by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to require a form-based market analysis. This added to the traditional practice to collect a handful of ‘comps’ to opine and foretell market price. There are problems and unintended consequences.

The ANSI requirement is that residential appraisers measure houses according to the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) method. This constraint can have good long-term results for consistency, if it is adopted by the full universe of participants. The requirement would have to include tax assessors, building permit agencies, real estate agents, investors, insurance companies, architects, contractors, and unlicensed appraisers. This part might take years, if ever.

We can take a quick look at some similarities, some differences, and where things may go…

To read more, click here

My comments: George and I talked about this and agreed to disagree. He is not the only one with doubts about ANSI. Most are appraisers, like George, who have never used it. I finally found a somewhat negative post about ANSI, instead of social media rants ;>

My opinion: This Standard is better than no standard. Appraisers have been using ANSI since 1996. I did not hear about problems with using it or with lender clients. Change is hard.

See the end of this newsletter for info on Appraisal Institute’s New 4 hour online ANSI class and an excellent ANSI webinar this Monday with Lyle Radke from Fannie being grilled by three appraisers! Two of them had negative comments.

ANSI Z765-2021 Resources for Appraisers

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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Appraisal Comps in Lopsided Markets

By on February 11, 2022   /   ANSI, appraisal, liability, USPAP   /   Leave a comment
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Different colorful shapes wooden blocks on beige background, flat lay. Geometric shapes in different colors, top view. Concept of creative, logical thinking or problem solving.

Choosing comps in a lopsided market

By Ryan Lundquist
Excerpt: QUESTION: With so many listings receiving offers above list, and people having to pay the shortfall between the appraised value and the contract price, how do appraisers look at comps? If a property sold at $580,000, but it actually appraised for $547,000, and the buyer paid the difference, which number do you use? $580,000 or $547,000?
ANSWER: Here are a few things on my mind.
1) Weigh the comps:
In any market (not just today), we have to weigh the comps. Or another way to say it is, we have to appraise the comps so to speak. What I mean is if something clearly sells for too much, it’s reasonable to give that property less weight in our analysis. Likewise, if a property sells for too little, we might also give less weight to that sale. Granted, selling for too little isn’t as common lately, but in past markets we regularly considered whether short sales or bank-owned sales sold below market value.
2) One sale doesn’t make or break the market:
It’s important to note one sale doesn’t make or break the market. This means one lofty “lone ranger” sale doesn’t all of a sudden mean the rest of the market will go to that level. This would be like saying that record-breaking $7M sale in Shingle Springs from August will pull the rest of the market up. Nah, I don’t think so. Or Zillow buying a house for $40,000 more than the comps will cause the rest of the market to rise. Nope. If one sale closes at $580,000, but the rest of the market is below $550,000, we won’t arbitrarily accept $580,000 as the new neighborhood price threshold. The same would hold true if a different house sold at $450,000. This one “low ranger” (sorry) won’t automatically drag the rest of the market down.
To read more plus lots of comments, click here
My comment: Some good comments and tips for this crazee market!!

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

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NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on unusual homes, surplus vs. excess land, ANSI, USPAP, Liability, mortgage origination stats, etc.

 

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