Do You Give Your Digital Signature To Your Appraisal Co.?

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Statement 8 was retired July 2001 and is no longer in the 2002 USPAP. It would be a good item to refer too and I continue to use a similar statement regarding digital signatures in all my reports. My current canned statement after July, 2001 reads: " The software programs used to transfer the report electronically provide digital signature security features for the appraiser signing this report. The appraiser that has signed (affixed an electornic signature) to this report has ensured that the signature(s) is/are protected and the appraiser has maintained control of the signature. Electronically affixing a signature to a report carries the same level of authenticity and responsibility as an original ink signature on a paper copy report."

Statement 8 was on page 94 of the 2001 USPAP, adopted July 18, 1995, Revised September 16, 1998 and retired June 12, 2001. See page 104 in 2002 USPAP.

 

[Randy Beigh]

As it turns out, I have had to deal with this issue twice today.

The first example is an appraiser that sends her stuff to us email. This was a 442. The administrator printed out a hard copy and then tried to bring it into the already existing report. Something went wrong and she lost the 442. Since we had a hard copy, all we had to do was re-type it and use her code to re-sign.

The second a report that was ready to be sent, but turned out to have an inconsistency that was found during the review. I called the appraiser to find out what was wanted, fixed the report, then sent it. Couldn't have done that without the appraiser's code.

 

[Anonymous]

Most of the responses are right on !

Why not get yourself a good software package that has everything, plus EDI (Internet sending) ability, and lock in your appraisals, and send them a hundred miles away, if need be.

When a correction or error is noted, YOU correct your own report, lock it in, sign it, and send them a corrected page.

Period.

 

[Chris POklacki]

I have two appraisers working for me. They do not sign the reports they do for me. I review them make changes and then sign with both signatures. I have a copy of each sig on file and in my computer. Therre is no reason why they should sign the reports when they are done because I have not seen them and I always make changes. The sigs I use are the actaul appraisers sigs. (I use sigs because I am feeling very lazy today)
AT the end of each month or two I make a cd of all the newr reports they do for me AFTER I my review as they were sent out to the lender.

I suggest You give them your sig and let them sign the reports for you. Afterall they are reviewing them.

Why charge for the digital setup. All they do is scan it and save it. What does that cost?

 

[jim farrelly]

this issue is a matter of trust. if u trust your supervisor, give the sig. if not, dont.