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I never figured it out. I devoted almost 3 hours to the inspection during mid-day in Indio, and left without saying good-bye. I was more worried about the heat than the owner.
I never go that far. I never ignore people or shut them out from what I'm doing or treat them rudely. I just limit my discussion to the info I need to know about the property. I usually do a quick recap at the end of what I think I'm seeing and ask them if there's anything else they want to tell me about the property. I also offer to consider any sales data they or their broker might think is relevant to the appraisal.
My default question (kinda like pretending I am Peter Faulk): "Is there anything extraordinary good or extraordinary bad about the property of which I need to be aware . . . anything that I might not know based upon my relatively brief tour of your property?"
I get your point above. After doing everything I do on an inspection I have had numerous homeowners tell me that last appraiser only took about fifteen minutes inside and outside. That shocked me. I just left a house today and it took me about an hour. Easy measure rectangle. My problem was the inside because the owner is somewhat wheel chair bound, not entirely though. My issue with the floor plan is it used to have a jack & Jill Bath. The owner modified the baths so it only has a 1/2 bath in the hallway and a full bath in one bedroom adapted for the owner. Crap. The only way I see to do this is draw the walls in and give an estimated cost to cure. I ask the lady about it and when was it done. She said years ago. She did say the last appraiser never ask her about it. WOW.
When they ask me if it will appraise or appraise high, I say I'll do my best (I always do my best for everyoneMy favorite line when I leave a house and the borrower is edgy..."Looks like we have a due date of X, so I will get the report sent off that afternoon. Don't be stressed about the appraisal. The market is strong right now and I am sure everything will work out just fine." ....sometimes, I will even say, "I am sure this thing will appraise for more than it ever has" That one makes some of you cringe I am sure! I understand this approach is not for everyone. As the market turns, ima have to change that up a bit!
That is always followed by a huge exhale by the borrower. I don't use that same line on Sellers. They can hang LOL
Even if the value is short of their expectation, which is often is, at least I have tried to put off a neutral vibe and they can sleep easy for a few days and have more trust of the process.. I hate the thought of Borrowers laying in bed stressed about a stupid appraisal that they have ZERO control over. Many of them think of us like miserable auditor types...which we are, of course.
Moral of the story...if you have taken a minute to connect, I find that when they call upset, they are usually more friendly and respectful because they view me as a human, not an IRS agent. If someone wops me over the head with that someday...I will proudly take my medicine. Ima do me...back stabby borrowers can do what they do.
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).I tell agents that I wish to establish a collegial relationship with them, and always offer them an opportunity "to provide potential comparable properties for my consideration."When they ask me if it will appraise or appraise high, I say I'll do my best (I always do my best for everyone
I tell them I have to drive by the comps and then I can have idea of value. Right now I don't know (I really don't know
It's the agents involved who can be obnoxious.
I will on rare occasions comment that the "aesthetics" of the property are exemplary although I clarify that the factor is pertinent only if it pertains to "real" rather than "personal" property.