|
Experts talk appraisal technology, tools and Collateral Underwriter
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
Experts from across the mortgage industry got together at the Realtors Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo held May 10-16 in Washington D.C. to discuss the state of the appraisal industry and technology’s role in the future of the profession. Keep reading to see what the panel had to say about Collateral Underwriter, AVMs and the need for appraisers to implement smart devices in the field.
|
|
|
AI board passes new requirements
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
The Appraisal Institute board of directors passed a number of new requirements for AI professionals at its May 7-8 meeting in Chicago. Keep reading to see the coming changes for AI professionals.
|
|
|
Officials talk about appraisers’ role for VA mortgages
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs encouraged Realtors to help debunk misconceptions regarding the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program at an agency briefing May 14 during the Realtors Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington D.C. Part of this briefing dealt with appraisers’ role in promulgating VA home loans.
|
|
|
AI urges homeowners to consult appraisers during property tax appeals
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
The Appraisal Institute offered suggestions May 5 to help homeowners make the appeals process easier regarding their local property tax bills. The announcement comes at a time when many U.S. homeowners are beginning to receive their tax bills. Keep reading to see why AI said hiring independent appraisers is a smart move for homeowners.
|
|
|
|
Originators say AMCs have hurt origination, appraisal businesses
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
A new study contends that the proliferation of AMCs following the 2010 passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has had detrimental effects on the appraisal business and hindered mortgage production overall. Keep reading to see why mortgage originators across the country are blaming AMCs for the “collateral damage” affecting appraisers.
|
|
|
FHA delays implementation of appraisal guidelines
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The Federal Housing Administration is putting the brakes on its latest appraisal policy changes that were slated to take effect June 15 to allow industry participants to prepare for the changes amid additional “competing initiatives occurring simultaneously in the mortgage industry.” Keep reading for the details.
|
|
|
Is valuation fraud a problem? Depends on how you look at it
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
How you view the state of property valuation fraud in the U.S. probably depends on if you’re a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty kind of person. Keep reading to see why a new study gives reason for both concern and optimism regarding the valuation of America’s housing stock.
|
|
|
Appraisers’ opinions of value slip further from owners’ estimates
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
A new Quicken Loans study shows that appraisers’ opinions of value continue to slip further away from owners’ estimates. This data coincides with another Quicken index that shows that appraised values are increasing throughout the country. Keep reading for the details.
|
|
|
Appraiser threatens to resign over mobile home dispute
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The appraiser at the center of a mobile home dispute between the park’s residents and owners has informed the city that he will not participate in recalculating how much park residents should be offered. Continue reading to see why the appraiser said he will consider any more communication on the matter an attempt at “pressuring the appraiser.”
|
|
|
Blacklisted appraiser alleges pressure to inflate values
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
A Massachusetts appraiser seeking retribution after being placed on a lender’s “Do Not Use” list for the second time filed a lawsuit against the lender alleging that he was blacklisted for refusing to inflate values at the lender’s request. The lender, however, moved for summary judgement, claiming that the appraiser was put on the DNU list as the result of shoddy work. Keep reading to see who the court sided with.
|
|
|
New tool added to appraisal portal
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
A nationwide provider of alternative valuation products announced that its software that compiles independent research and price opinions to help produce a credible valuation report now is available through one of the leading appraisal portals. Keep reading for the details.
|
|
|
Leading appraisal software company bought
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
A leading software company started in an effort to “protect appraisers from the income-robbing effects of the HVCC and its aftermath” just announced it has been bought out. Keep reading to see the companies involved and what the acquisition means for the industry.
|
|
|
New model to predict home prices a year in the future
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
A provider of automated valuation solutions and analytic products for the real estate industry recently announced it has developed a new home price model. It draws upon long-run factors and short-run market conditions to predict prices one year in the future. Keep reading for the details.
|
|
|
Appraiser avoids jail for admission of guilt in $1M scheme
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
A Syracuse, N.Y., appraiser won’t face jail time for his role in a $1 million scheme to defraud prospective homebuyers after he confessed to inflating values as part of the scam. Continue reading for the details.
|
|
|
LandSafe on the move?
Posted Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
LandSafe Inc., Bank of America’s affiliated AMC that provides appraisal, credit report and verification services, is reportedly up for sale. Keep reading to see which industry players allegedly are vying to take over the BOA’s subsidiary AMC.
|
|
|
West Virginia county assessor receives punishment for nepotism
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
The West Virginia Ethics Commission handed down its punishment to a long-time county assessor. She earlier admitted she engaged in improper behavior in the employment and supervision of her son and grandson. Keep reading to see what punishment the commission handed down.
|
|
|
Valuation firm denounces mass appraisal methodology
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2015
A Texas-based valuation firm issued a release May 11 that cites mass appraisal methodology as the major reason a Texas county’s property tax appraisals are overvalued by more than $10 million in some instances. Continue reading for the details.
|
|
|
New data backs why green appraising is the next big thing
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
If you’re still on the fence about whether green building is really set to take off, a look into recent data might make you consider signing up for those green valuation courses sooner rather than later. Keep reading for the details.
|
|
|
SBA changes appraisal policies for certain properties
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
The Small Business Administration announced several changes to its appraisal policies May 4. Among the changes, the SBA has altered its appraisal policy for change of ownership transactions involving special purpose properties, which include businesses such as car washes, hotels, gas stations with or without a convenience store, golf courses, medical facilities and bowling alleys. Keep reading for the changes.
|
|
|
Desktop product promoted as alternative to full appraisals
Posted Date: Monday, May 11, 2015
A provider of real estate appraisal, title and compliance services announced the launch of its new desktop appraisal product. The product is designed to offer a less expensive alternative to traditional home appraisals. Continue reading for product details.
|
|
|
Supreme Court weighs in on state’s stance on eminent domain cases
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued a unanimous opinion April 16 on whether the jury can be kept in the dark about the most important evidence in an eminent domain trial — the value of the private property taken. Keep reading to see the court’s findings.
|
|
|
NAHB testifies that appraisals should reflect energy savings
Posted Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The National Association of Home Builders testified before both chambers of Congress on April 30 in support of legislation that would encourage meaningful, cost-effective energy savings for residential construction. As part of the testimony, the NAHB urged lawmakers to update underwriting and appraisal guidelines to ensure they more accurately reflect the economic benefits of green features.
|
|