Homogeneous banned from the appraisal lexicon

[djd09]

Let's be honest....
Although we are in our 60s, 70s and older....
We are now paying for the "sins of our fathers" (the generation before us)....
There were "code" words used back in their day....

Hell, some forumites still using "code" words to express their bias against people different from them....
Heck we all do....

...no one forces the unethical stakeholders to use appraisers with forked tongues

 

[Zoe]

I don’t use words that I know most readers won’t understand. I don’t use homogenous or heterogeneous in my reports. I understand them but many people don’t.

Always remember who gets a copy of your appraisal. Most probably have no clue what the words mean in relationship to real property and the subject.

 

[Zoe]

If you work a very homogeneous market, you are very fortunate.

I get once in a blue moon. Lol

Digger said he lives in appraisal heaven. Lol

 

[Zoe]

Look at it this way. The owner knows if their property is in very homogeneous area or in very heterogeneous area from a real property standpoint.

I don’t have to use those terms.

Some people are referring to sexual orientation which has nothing to do with real property.

 

[Zoe]

If I had all the sex predators and analyzed that? I need a raise.

The next door neighbor is a convicted sex felon.

I need a raise.

Give me at least $200 more to report.

HUD needs to totally renovate truth in lending.

 

[Bobby Bucks]

Lot of things offend atheist - flag, court, etc.
They know nation founded by Christians.

Lots of things offend the Fern…..ANSI, condition, etc. however; professionals will continue to use those terms.

 

[CGinMN]

The following definition is from the state of California's online Appraisal Training.



I have no problem coming up with different words to convey these principles/characteristics as they apply to properties and neighborhoods (not people) and they are relevant to the assignment. However, when the industry adopts language changes like this, is it possible we actually create risk? My concern is that, if we don't defend an appropriate use of terminology, then we actually create liability for prior appropriate usage. In two years, who's to say plaintiffs won't be arguing "It was never ok to use homogeneous. It always had racial connotations."

 

[Carnivore]

I don’t use words that I know most readers won’t understand. I don’t use homogenous or heterogeneous in my reports. I understand them but many people don’t.

Always remember who gets a copy of your appraisal. Most probably have no clue what the words mean in relationship to real property and the subject.

That is a great point. Cert 23`
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This was below, It was my closing statement below. I decided to post it first so you would not have to read all my drivel/random thoughts first.

Words mean something and words can have a different meaning to different readers. i.e The terms are not limited to Race

in your Sketch Full bath is a good description or full bath one, full bath two
1/2 bath is another good description. 3/4 bath another

You shouldn't use

Obviously Master Bath is definite NO!

His n Her Baths - NOPE, don't use it = Gender
Jack and Jill Baths - NOPE don't use it - Gender

Remember Sex is not Binary(so they say)

Actually, even though the discussion is focused on Race. There are other considerations:

Now these I am not sure of, but any race, creed etc can be effected: Handicap accessible, Wheel Chair Adapted I think its OK because almost all Retail/Whole sale business have Handicap Parking. There are numerous SFR with these Features.

So you might ask why do appraisers continue to use these words and descriptions? There are a Lot of reasons. Form Software providers have spell check based in the Dictionary built into the Software. Another reason is common spoken/conversational vocabulary. That can vary across the many regions of the USA.

There is another Reason. Education Level. I don't have the Stats but I dare say a large number of Residential Appraisers are not college Graduates. Many probably have some college. Look at how the TAF(yes I blame both) but specifically the AQB , how they have whiffle Waffled on Education minimums over and over. Managing the Herd! My Personal opinion This is not and never was the AQB's Job. The Free Market determines how many Licensed Appraisers there will be. Fee/income plays a role. Supply and Demand. Thats a Fundamental when it comes to compensation. That's a Fundamental of RE Appraising.

Those College Professors and Brookings Highly Value College Education.

Well that my Drivel for the day. I am actually getting quite weary hashing it all out.

 

[Vermonter]

However, when the industry adopts language changes like this, is it possible we actually create risk?

Exactly.

If you don't defend your definition of any term/descriptor/methodology in your report, you enable others to define it for you.

Their definition most likely won't be to your benefit, it will be to theirs

 

[Dublin ohio]

I will use whatever words they want. But IMHO. It is becoming more difficult to connect the dots. Most words that are hands off are blatantly obvious. Master bedroom? Ok it can be connected by a short series of dots to "master/slave". But now many are calling it owners bedroom. How long before a long series of dots connects owners bedroom to the fact that not everyone is an owner and a higher number of poc are not owners but renters. Ok so now we change it to primary or main bedroom. You could eventually see the word "main" as being racist as the owners home on a slave plantation was referred to as the "main house". I have read articles where they say "within walking distance" or "walkable neighborhood" is discriminatory to people with handicaps that can't walk. How long before they realize that many times we are saying the same thing. Just using different words.