Unveiling the Truth: The Controversial Role of Data Collectors in Real Estate

[glenn walker]

Real Estate Appraiser Sentenced to Three Years in Prison in Mortgage Fraud Scheme That Led to $46 Million in Losses​

 

[John Hassler]

Specifically "armed robbery of a cash courier?" No. I mean, that is pretty specific.

Rape? Statutory rape? Arson? Assaulting a police officer? Drug trafficking? Yes. Ran into all that during my AMC days.

Just use your favorite search engine and enter "Appraiser convicted of [insert crime]" and you will get some examples.

The tens of thousands of people who perform residential real estate appraisals are just a subset of the population. Not sure why anyone would think that subset is immune from behavior exhibited by the general population.

This is consistent with my experience at the state. When staff found a background issue with an applicant, licensee, or (certain) AMC person's, it was my job to determine a course of action. Options included denial, suspension, reveocation, probation, and fine. Not the prettiest part of my duties.

 

[glenn walker]

This is consistent with my experience at the state. When staff found a background issue with an applicant, licensee, or (certain) AMC person's, it was my job to determine a course of action. Options included denial, suspension, reveocation, probation, and fine. Not the prettiest part of my duties.

Be honest you had a reputation of crushing the little people - Just jerking your chain it was a gal named Marcia years ago who was a real BREA ball Buster LMAO

 

[alebrewer]

I dress extremely casual when doing under construction. Otherwise casual but professional. I alway wear all black. No jeans or tee shirt. On the other hand. I always get a kick out of the guy in a suit trying to wander around an under construction without getting anything on his suit. Or the female appraiser trying to walk around a new construction site in high heels

If only you were the norm... When I'm in the field during summer (110+ in Texas), you'll see me in a dry wicking polo, shorts, and sports shoes/socks. Winter is usually khaki's or something similar. I have a buddy that always wears a t-shirt under a button down long sleeve. No idea how he does it.

 

[alebrewer]

Or it's a reflection of your company's appraiser management policies.
Not being flippant. Your company is/was in direct control of whom they engage. What changes, if any, to policy were made when these situations arose?

Wait - so you're telling me that, in your experience, 1099 contract appraisers will dress in accordance with an AMC's wishes?... Are you sure you're in the right forum???

At any rate - obviously the only time we'd be aware of something like that is when someone reported an appraiser - and that was usually to an LO, not the AMC (as - again - the appraiser is perceived as the face of the lender). Once it finally made it's way to me, if it was someone I knew (and I had a great relationship with most of the folks on our panel), I'd call and politely ask to clean up the attire issue. That's usually all it took.

 

[alebrewer]

My solution to the dress code thing was simple. Staff wore what I bought for them to wear (and had cleaned for them). We had dress shirts, polos, etc. with the company name and logo. No shorts. No jeans. No tennis shoes.

If they're staff - easy peasy. Not all AMC's have a staff appraiser model, though.

 

[alebrewer]

In general, clean jeans and shirt are fine with Californians but the older appraisers are really bed. Amd dont get me styrated onteh older women who look lke bag lady's and they bring their so called support dogs with them. The Realtors, Home Inspectors even our Plumbers look more professional than these people. Yet they want to be respected and paid high fees.

You kill me, dude. I REALLY hope you do stand up on the side - if not, you should check it out. Your colorful descriptions are just gold.

 

[djd09]

Having no work, many today are on permanent vacations, and many praying some AMC sends them some orders

squeal squeal piggy piggies...you shouldn't of trusted them

 

[Mejappz]

Rape? Statutory rape? Arson? Assaulting a police officer? Drug trafficking? Yes. Ran into all that during my AMC days.

And of these rapists and drug traffickers, how many were doing a high volume of appraisals for AMCs before getting caught? The solution to this is quite simple. Florida requires you to have a background check and be fingerprinted before you apply for any license or certification. Afterward, if the client/AMC wants, they can pay for a background check for every appraiser on their panel every two years; their problem is solved.

But this is not about background checks. The real question everyone should be asking(which was covered in the video). is who has more to lose? An appraiser who has undergone rigorous education and training to get their certification? Or a guy that may have been flipping burgers or driving an Uber car the week before.?

 

[John Hassler]

Wait - so you're telling me that, in your experience, 1099 contract appraisers will dress in accordance with an AMC's wishes?... Are you sure you're in the right forum???

At any rate - obviously the only time we'd be aware of something like that is when someone reported an appraiser - and that was usually to an LO, not the AMC (as - again - the appraiser is perceived as the face of the lender). Once it finally made it's way to me, if it was someone I knew (and I had a great relationship with most of the folks on our panel), I'd call and politely ask to clean up the attire issue. That's usually all it took.

First, I'm not picking on you. Your reactionary-type corrective response is a fairly typical of the power users I've talked to.

The lender/AMC is in the driver's seat when engaging an appraiser. They can dictate what is an acceptable level of service by the appraiser, including dress. But leadership takes more than putting "dress professionally" in an engagement letter. It could be in a one-on-one when an appraiser joins a panel. It could be through group PowerPoints. It could be with borrower satisfaction surveys. The point is, it takes effort.

There was a mid-size lender by the name of California Federal (CalFed). It was coveted by appraisers to be on their panel. They offered free CE at their headquarters and while it wasn't required to attend I always felt it was expected by the regional chief appraisers who would be in attendance. They were a lender who were clear about their expecations, understood what leadership requires, and one to emulate. Alas, they were bought out circa 2003 (by WAMU, I think) and the base fee went from direct engagement at $425 to the AMC Chesapeake at $325. Suffice to say I declined the paycut.