Appraisalport poll on national appraiser's union

[Eli]

Exactly HOW would a union change things?

From an independent appraiser's standpoint, I could see them having a voice in legislation. Probably could have had an impact on some of the legislation recently passed that has had a major impact on our work. For example, I don't believe I could step in tomorrow and tell policeman or teachers that I am going to review their work and take half their pay just because I don't believe they are fighting crime good enough or teaching our children good enough. I don't believe their unions would let that happen. I googled where the State of Maryland has an appraisers union. I wonder how that is going.

 

[Eli]

I am anti unions in general. What we need is the market to force many out of the business.

Thats happening daily. I have no doubt.

 

[George Hatch]

I think the primary obstacle to unionizing appraisers is the 75+% of appraisers who will categorically decline to forego a fee in solidarity with the group.

If a lender presented a tiered fee schedule for appraisers that punished appraisers putting out substandard reports by reducing their fees, how many of you would strike in solidarity with those appraisers?

 

[ctapraser]

already posted, computer has a mind of it's own.

 

[ctapraser]

Great... have appraisers spend more of the appraisal fee on something other than the appraiser. If appraisers refused to complete appraisals for $175, no one could hire an appraiser to complete an appraisal for $175.

My clients pay me a full fee, I provide my clients with a "full fee appraisal", I do not need a union to decide I am not going to complete appraisals for $175...The problem with a union is...while most have started for a good reason.. eventually their main concern is the survival of the union. Often the survival of the union is so important to the union it negates (does things that are obviously not in the best interest of its members) the benifits of the union members..

 

[Eli]

Exactly HOW would a union change things?

I have to think that laws have been the biggest thorn in the independent appraisers side. Tell me if I'm wrong, but the main voices an independent appraiser has in Washington as far as I can see are riding the fence.

 

[Eli]

Great... have appraisers spend more of the appraisal fee on something other than the appraiser. If appraisers refused to complete appraisals for $175, no one could hire an appraiser to complete an appraisal for $175.

My clients pay me a full fee, I provide my clients with a "full fee appraisal", I do not need a union to decide I am not going to complete appraisals for $175...The problem with a union is...while most have started for a good reason.. eventually their main concern is the survival of the union. Often the survival of the union is so important to the union it negates (does things that are obviously not in the best interest of its members) the benifits of the union members..

I haven't seen a HUD 1 lately, but is that $175 you mentioned disclosed as the appraisal fee on a HUD1 or is the fee they are charging the borrower disclosed? If it is the fee they charge the borrower, the appraiser should be able to give the AMC a 1099.

 

[ctapraser]

I haven't seen a HUD 1 lately, but is that $175 you mentioned disclosed as the appraisal fee on a HUD1 or is the fee they are charging the borrower disclosed? If it is the fee they charge the borrower, the appraiser should be able to give the AMC a 1099.

Totally irrelevant!!

Just don't do appraisals for $175. Worry about what you can control and the rest will take care of itself!!

 

[George Hatch]

Since you mentioned lender discrimination that brings up an interesting angle of discussion.

(d) Prohibition against discrimination. Criteria established by the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Resolution Trust Corporation for appraiser qualifications in addition to State certification or licensing shall not exclude a certified or licensed appraiser for consideration for an assignment solely by virtue of membership or lack of membership in any particular appraisal organization.

You won't be able to force Chase or BofA to operate as a closed shop.

 

[Eli]

Totally irrelevant!!

Just don't do appraisals for $175. Worry about what you can control and the rest will take care of itself!!

It is totally relevant, especially to John Q Public who is spending their hard earned money and it has a bearing on how much the appraisal cost them. I don't plan on doing one for $175, but if I do, I'll be sure and not tell John Q Public (the borrower) because that would be a No!..No!. I'm not sure why that is a No!..No!, but I won't tell them for sure. What happened to disclose, disclose, disclose?