Aloft Appraiser Toolkit

[George Hatch]

Jonathan Miller goes on TV. He's somebody. We're nobody.

There's a rumor that he owns a condo in 15th Street and an island getaway in the FL Keys. But I'm sure that's nothing but a rumor.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

One where the GSEs aren’t just writing the rules but also shaping how appraisers are trained to follow them.

This is why I argued with GH YEARS AGO that USPAP is compromised by the GSE's own "rules" aka then, "supplemental standards" - So, why not simply abolish USPAP for secondary market and let the GSE's write their own rules. OTHERWISE, ban the GSEs from writing the rules for appraising. MAKE THEM honor any USPAP compliant report - narrative or form.

We pretend we are complying with both USPAP and the GSE mandates and dancing around the distortion of the so-called "Scope of Work"....why not call it what it is... "SOS" is, substitute of standards.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Nobody here should *need* to be told where these USER-DRIVEN trends

So, perhaps we should apply that to the legal system and let the "users" - aka criminals - dictate form to Judges. Same problem. Appraisers are supposed to be the independent observer who values the property. When the rules of the game are dictated by the user then the independence is gone. We are lapdogs to the GSEs. And buck that and you are blacklisted. So, you play the game to avoid starvation. Helluva way to run a business.

So long as the GSEs dictate the rules, the forms, the training, then the appraiser is not independent. They are captives.

 

[George Hatch]

Because "additional requirements" is a more accurate description of any user's expectations. On a concepts and principles basis there is no difference between the internal policies of Freddie vs Jail-Birdz Bail Bonds. If the appraiser is working to USPAP minimums both of those policies become an extra, not a substitute.

 

[Non Sequitur]

That's just LinkedIn trying to make you pay for premium.

So, a business doing something slimy like REVAA pushing to fire a non-profit's CEO? Color me surprised.

 

[George Hatch]

So, perhaps we should apply that to the legal system and let the "users" - aka criminals - dictate form to Judges. Same problem. Appraisers are supposed to be the independent observer who values the property. When the rules of the game are dictated by the user then the independence is gone. We are lapdogs to the GSEs. And buck that and you are blacklisted. So, you play the game to avoid starvation. Helluva way to run a business.

So long as the GSEs dictate the rules, the forms, the training, then the appraiser is not independent. They are captives.

"Meaningful and not misleading to intended users" is a thing. At the test for the reasonable of the SOW decision (which by definition already includes the user's extras) is not limited to the expectations of any one user, but to the group, and to the group of appraisers who would normally perform such an assignment.

That's what makes "the user subverts the minimums" talking point so inaccurate and dishonest. If the appraiser is working to specs, no user can subvert the minimum - they can only add to the minimum.

 

[Mejappz]

This is why I argued with GH YEARS AGO that USPAP is compromised by the GSE's own "rules" aka then, "supplemental standards" - So, why not simply abolish USPAP for secondary market and let the GSE's write their own rules. OTHERWISE, ban the GSEs from writing the rules for appraising. MAKE THEM honor any USPAP compliant report - narrative or form.

We pretend we are complying with both USPAP and the GSE mandates and dancing around the distortion of the so-called "Scope of Work"....why not call it what it is... "SOS" is, substitute of standards.

Absolutely agree. You nailed it. USPAP has been quietly sidelined for years by GSE "supplemental standards," which are really just mandates masquerading as guidance. We’re forced to pretend there’s harmony between USPAP and GSE requirements when in reality we’re complying with two separate and often conflicting systems.


If the GSEs want to write their own rulebook, fine. Let them own it outright. But stop pretending their process respects the independence USPAP was designed to protect. Either make GSEs accept any USPAP-compliant report or admit we’re just playing by their rules now and call it what it is.


You’re right. Scope of Work has turned into Substitute of Standards. And the longer we pretend otherwise, the worse it gets for actual appraisal integrity. Take it or leave it. What a mess.

 

[George Hatch]

You are in over your head in a USPAP discussion. You should just consider being quiet and paying attention instead of saying dumb things.

Every one of those GSE assignments are being engaged by a not-the-GSE lender, each of whom CAN add additional requirements of their own. Under the SOWR the appraiser is obliged to meet the entire set, not just one or the other.

And on a principles basis - who is doing what - the same fundamentals that apply to appraising an SFR also apply to appraising more other common property types. There is absolutely nothing special about what SFR appraisers do, other than their specialization and focus in the one narrow niche of appraising.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

"Meaningful and not misleading to intended users" is a thing.

It is nonsense and neuters the role of the appraiser as an INDEPENDENT opinion of value. How hard is that to understand? That's like thinking speeders should self-report. Or, the cook should dictate to the health inspector the temperature of the refrigerators and freezers. Or, let Tyson tell the USDA inspectors that they are wrong.

 

[Mejappz]

ow hard is that to understand? T

It's difficult to comprehend when you have financial motivations influence the narrative.