Freddie Mac vs Appraiser Bias

[J Grant]

So we are perceived to be Bias. Which in IMO is Ridiculous. Why can't the 3rd party inspector be bias? Why can't there thinking be Bias? Just saying

That's an interesting question. It is not so much a matter of if a third party inspector is personally biased ( since we can't know that), but rather whether a homeowner perceives them to be biased - though lawsuit happy homeowners need no proof, they just file a claim over bias.

But honestly, we have no idea who these inspectors are or how they will behave at an inspection. I have learned over the years how to maintain a polite but neutral demeanour.

Missing from these discussions is the LOSS of contact with a homeowner, builder, agent or even neighbors by appraiser not inspecting. I often get valuable information about a property while at the inspection from people on site, and that opportunity is gone if I do not show up. The face to face conversation while at a property, and able to ask about a feature right in front of it is priceless.

 

[J Grant]

The question is, are their Photo's a True representation of the Subject? Were they Photoshopped? Was the subject property Stagged?

Why is, not "driving the neighborhood" today less important than it has been for the last 50 years??

Even correct photos are not a substitute for visiting the property in person. A photo image, is always "flat" and does not convey the actual quality well. Even with my own photos, sometimes they make a house look better, other times worse.

The appraiser not inspecting deprives the appraiser of driving the neighborhood, as well as the sound and smell aspect which is missing from a photo. I've been at houses, both on aerial map same distance backing a road, and one has loud traffic sounds while the other one does not. Not inspecting also deprives the appraiser of a crucial opportunity to interact with and get information from parties at a site - the homeowner, an agent, a builder, even a neighbor. I've gotten quite a bit of good information from the curious neighbor next door as I walk a property.

 

[alebrewer]

There is formal training wrt inspections, the two years plus of working with a mentor who inspects with the trainee or critiques their inspection results.

Are you aware of any states that have a mandatory minimum % of inspections as part of the experience requirements? I had one trainee who got her CR without ever having done one single inspection...

 

[alebrewer]

So we are perceived to be Bias. Which in IMO is Ridiculous. Why can't the 3rd party inspector be bias? Why can't there thinking be Bias? Just saying

How would an inspector's bias manifest itself?

 

[alebrewer]

Why is, not "driving the neighborhood" today less important than it has been for the last 50 years??

Well, one possible answer is that we have technology available today that we didn't have in the past, no?

 

[J Grant]

Well, one possible answer is that we have technology available today that we didn't have in the past, no?

We've had the same technology the last couple of decades - so come up with some other spin to justify it. No overhead maps or other tech gives the same feedback as driving a neighborhood.

 

[J Grant]

Are you aware of any states that have a mandatory minimum % of inspections as part of the experience requirements? I had one trainee who got her CR without ever having done one single inspection...

Really? That's odd. Idk how many if any states have a mandatory minimum but this is the first time I've heard of a CR being trained that did not do one single inspection. So a one off, poorly trained CR is now your rationalization ?

Look, no matter how many sound arguments there are for not using third party inspectors if the stakeholders want it for speed and profit they will get it, barring any future adverse impact -The profit to is for staff driven AMC's/lendrs who can squeeze more reports out from staff appraisers and profit to companies who provide third party inspectors). Just admit it is about profiteering and then there is no need to come up rationalizations.

 

[CommonSense]

That's an interesting question. It is not so much a matter of if a third party inspector is personally biased ( since we can't know that), but rather whether a homeowner perceives them to be biased - though lawsuit happy homeowners need no proof, they just file a claim over bias.

But honestly, we have no idea who these inspectors are or how they will behave at an inspection. I have learned over the years how to maintain a polite but neutral demeanour.

Missing from these discussions is the LOSS of contact with a homeowner, builder, agent or even neighbors by appraiser not inspecting. I often get valuable information about a property while at the inspection from people on site, and that opportunity is gone if I do not show up. The face to face conversation while at a property, and able to ask about a feature right in front of it is priceless.

And how did you learn all of these of these things? Experience doing inspection's.

 

[ucbruin]

I think all opinions and comments from every forumite has validity....
But at the end of the day it's all about RISK....
And it appears that the rules makers are heading slowly towards the conclusion that the RISK is minimal enough to alter the industry....

 

[CommonSense]

How would an inspector's bias manifest itself?

Take photo at certain angle that doesn't show a crack in the flooring or wall or anything that might be a negative influence