News By Edition

Valuation Review continues to examine the proposal by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to raise the threshold for residential real estate transactions requiring an appraisal to $400,000.

We reached out to the American Society of Appraisers International President Robert Morrison and appraiser Karen J. Mann for their initial reactions to this proposal.

Read on to find out what we were told.

Individuals working in the appraisal profession, in addition to many things, need to be organized and have a plan for going about their daily business.

An appraisal management program is a crucial element for everyone involved in the overall appraisal process.  Valuation Review sought Property Interlink Compliance Manager Joshua Walitt’s expertise and advice on such plans.

Read on to find out what he had to say about these programs.

The Sunset Advisory Commission, based in Texas, reviews state agencies including the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB), evaluating the need for these organizations.

Valuation Review reached out to Kay Hricik, Sunset staff member and project manager, for her insight as to the specifics of the commission and in particular, how well the TALCB is performing.

Read on to find out what we were told.

There is much discussion within the appraisal profession on whether or not bifurcated (hybrid) appraisals are an acceptable method of determining value, while many legal questions come up as well.

Valuation Review spoke with Jim Contino, a regional chief appraiser with Mueller Reports, who answered a few questions on this topic and others that has the attention of appraisers.

Read on to find out what he told us.

Integra Realty Resources announced the appointment of four prominent women leaders to prestigious industry groups. Read on to find out who these women are and what roles they will be assuming.

CoesterVMS Inc. has officially stated that despite some problems with its primary lender, none of its bank accounts are currently frozen and any monies temporarily held up by FVC Bank now have been returned in full to the company. Read on to learn more about this and find out what the company’s founder and president had to say.

Class Appraisal announced that a former Fannie Mae leader has joined the company. Read on to find out who this person is, and hear what the newest member of the company had to say regarding her new position.

Orange County Property Appraiser (OCPA) Rick Singh is facing allegations filed by two former employees of the OCPA office, claiming their rights were violated under Florida’s Public Sector Whistleblower’s Act.

The employees allege that Singh manipulated appraisals for friends, brought strippers to the office and sexually harassed both of them.

Read on to learn more about this case.

Are opinions matching at the end of the year?

The difference between owners’ estimates of home values and appraisal values increased in November, although it was still an extremely narrow spread, at a national level.

Read on to learn more from this report.  

Apex Appraisal Service and Value Trend Solutions have announced a strategic partnership and planned merger of business operations to offer a unified appraisal management solution. Read on to find out more about this appraisal business merger.

Gateway Mortgage Group announced the launch of an innovative program providing homebuyers with protection of their downpayment in the event they sell their home under less than ideal market conditions. Read on to learn more.

Tyler Technologies, Inc. announced that Multnomah County, Oregon, successfully has gone live with the core functions of Tyler’s Orion appraisal and tax administration software solution. Read on to learn more about this merger of technology.

Valuation Review continues its examination of the legal war between Amrock, formerly Title Source, and HouseCanary.

The case is based on evidence of an alleged fraudulent scheme.

Read Part II of this story to learn more about this case.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) hopes changes made to its Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) system will translate into smoother procedures.

This should help appraisers when it comes to obtaining necessary data and other information.

Valuation Review, in Part II of this story, continues getting answers from the FHA and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

A commercial firm's numbers are on the rise.

BBG said it experienced stellar growth in 2018 and anticipates continued upward momentum in the New Year, the company announced.

Read on to find out more from this commercial real estate report.

The chairman of the board from Pro Tax of the Texas-based Travis Central Appraisal District, which settles disputes over property tax appraisals, has agreed to reschedule hearings after getting pictures that showed review board members sleeping during protest hearings. Read on to learn more.

Valuation Partners announced it has appointed a new vice president of valuation services. Read on to learn the identity of this new hire and what the move means for the company moving forward.

Freddie Mac announced CHOICEHomeSM, a conventional financing program for manufactured housing to help increase the availability of manufactured homes. Read on to learn more about what manufactured home can deliver today.

CoreLogic announced the introduction of its Total Home Value for Originations AVM solution. This is the latest addition to the CoreLogic Total Home Value suite of AVMs. Read on to learn more.

BBG announces another key acquisition.

The company has acquired Jerome Haims Realty, Inc., a company which specializes in litigation support and related services.

Read on to learn more and hear from the BBG CEO about this key acquisition.

ACES Risk Management announced new product enhancements that increase the quality control process, efficiency and security for lenders and servicers using its auditing platform, ACES Audit Technology. Read on to learn more.

Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 units in October after an upwardly revised September report, according to the latest data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Read on to learn more from this report and the challenges that lie ahead for the consumer.