Ethical/Moral Dilemma

[Shawangunk RE]

Got an order for a refi. Elderly homeowner not answering repeated calls. Lender said to call the daughter as the mother wont answer the phone if she doesnt recognize the number. Ok, whatever. Set up the appointment.
Just left there. The house is in such bad repair, leaking roof, sagging ceilings, cat **** smell everywhere, missing flooring, doorways blocked with furniture, broken windows/ripped screens. The roof is covered with moss, peeling wallpaper, kitchen and baths original to the home 1930's build. Clearly, that home is unsafe! My question to you, what would you do? Just report to the lender and forget about that woman? I would really like to report this to the elder abuse hotline, but I dont think i can due to my confidentiality required by USPAP. HELP bring me some clarity.

 

[Mike Ault]

Damn

 

[Sadie]

Can you report anonymously? I have report animal abuse and suicidal HO that way. I bet you could contact the elder ombudsman and report. Also, yes report condition to the lender. because that is a separate issue.

 

[J Grant]

Got an order for a refi. Elderly homeowner not answering repeated calls. Lender said to call the daughter as the mother wont answer the phone if she doesnt recognize the number. Ok, whatever. Set up the appointment.
Just left there. The house is in such bad repair, leaking roof, sagging ceilings, cat **** smell everywhere, missing flooring, doorways blocked with furniture, broken windows/ripped screens. The roof is covered with moss, peeling wallpaper, kitchen and baths original to the home 1930's build. Clearly, that home is unsafe! My question to you, what would you do? Just report to the lender and forget about that woman? I would really like to report this to the elder abuse hotline, but I dont think i can due to my confidentiality required by USPAP. HELP bring me some clarity.

First, finish the appraisal and send it to your client. Report what is there—C 5 or C 6.
Ater report is accepted and appraisal poriton is over, report it anonymously ( or have a spourse or friend report it )

 

[Shawangunk RE]

Can you report anonymously? I have report animal abuse and suicidal HO that way. I bet you could contact the elder ombudsman and report. Also, yes report condition to the lender. because that is a separate issue.

Well, it would be readily apparent who reported it, doubtful this woman gets company on the regular. Of course I informed the lender, they will of course cancel the order and pay for the inspection. I just dont know how I am going to sleep at night if I dont do something. Her daughter should be arrested!

 

[Shawangunk RE]

First, finish the appraisal and send it to your client. Report what is there—C 5 or C 6.
Ater report is accepted and appraisal poriton is over, report it anonymously ( or have a spourse or friend report it )

yeah, no way am I going to write up a report. I would have to come up with a cost to cure for all of that stuff! My fee does not cover all the extra work it would take to create a credible value.

 

[Fernando]

Contact client/lender of the C5/C6 condition. Most likely client will stop you there and no need for you to continue with the appraisal.
Hopefully, client contact borrower (also daugter) that the house is in desperate need of repairs.
Maybe they need the refi to do the fixes.

 

[Shawangunk RE]

No way is the bank going to refi that property in its current state. What they need is a rehab loan, I am sure they owe much more than its worth in its current condition.

 

[Shawangunk RE]

So no answer on if my duty of confidentiality comes in to play here?

 

[Dublin ohio]

Her daughter should be arrested!

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. Unless the mother is mentally incompetent, the daughter might not have much legal authority to force her to do anything she doesn't want to do. Short of maybe reporting her own mother to code enforcement or having her probated. It is a sticky situation. Right now all you might have is evidence of code violations as opposed to actual abuse