Do You Have Copies Of Your Appraisals?

[Roy Spidle]

Maybe the poll should have read, "Should you have copies of any appraisals you have worked on?".

For those reading this forum just starting out, the answer is heck yea! CYA! As I stated earlier, I do not have copies of every appraisal I have done in the last 2-3 years. BUT, I know what I contributed to each appraisal and I have access to all the files.

To throw another wrench into the mix...I don't know of other states laws, but Colorado law requires logs for each licensing level. So just because you have your log filled out for your "Licensed" level, don't think you're done. Make sure you can CYA and prove/defend all assignments you submit...no matter what the licensing level.

-me

p.s.
Dee Dee - I couldn't agree with you more on the licensing requirements for supervisors. I am sure that the day will come...but it can't be soon enough!

 

[Dee Dee]

Roy,
Just to clarify with the newbies....

Simply having a work file of what the trainee contributed to the report isn't enough, especially if the supervisor has access to the trainees digital signatures.

For their protection newbies need to have SIGNED COPIES of the final report exactly as it was sent to the client which needs to include the supervisor's signature, otherwise how can the trainee know if what they personally contributed wasn't changed to a point where they would not have wanted their signature associated with it? As George mentioned earlier, in the case of a complaint it would be the trainees best defense. If the report in question doesn't match the one that the trainee has, it would be evidence of the trainee's innocence.

Besides....how can the trainee learn anything if the report that they send off to their supervisor has been altered? The supervisor should be reviewing and discussing these changes with the trainee, otherwise their level of experience will never go beyond being anything more than a data monkey.

 

[Dee Dee]

Just wanted to nudge this poll back up to the top of the pile.

Any trainees who haven't voted, please do so!

It's important that new appraisers understand what their responsibilities are so that they won't have any regrets later!

Many instructors frequent this forum, so if they see a problem in the way the votes are stacking up, perhaps they will spend a couple of extra minutes explaining in their classes to be sure everyone cleary understands what the requirements are.

Think of it this way....if the trainees just say no to not getting signed copies of their reports, then supervisors would be held to a higher standard. I can't imagine anyone thinking that would be a bad thing.

 

[Mountain Man]

Not voting as I'm not a newbie, but I did go out on my own 4+- years ago. Don't have copies of the reports I did before, but I do have access. It's a sister company, and I left on good terms.

 

[Tejus]

A related poll you might consider is:

How many Trainees have a written contract with their Trainer which identifies the responsibilities of each party?

I anticipate the answer is low to very low. Without a written contract, disputes typically deteriorate into a "I said / you said" mud slinging match. Even with a written contract, you can end up in a mud slinging match.

bueno suerto.

 

[Dee Dee]

Originally posted by Alan Gertner@Feb 16 2004, 04:56 PM
A related poll you might consider is:

How many Trainees have a written contract with their Trainer which identifies the responsibilities of each party?

Alan,
I would agree that the percentage of those who have contracts would be virtually non-existant, but mostly because responsibilitites can change throughout the working relationship and contracts are not mandatory requirements.

Mel,
You're fortunate that you and your supervisor parted ways on good terms. Considering the volume of distance training that goes on right now there aren't too many who could say the same, at least not with any large degree of confidence until they're well into their training, or they already have copies of signed reports in their hands that would be solid evidence of their participation if they don't have cooperative personal access to the files.

The training process is sooooo different than it was just 4 years ago, at least from what I can tell. Trainees are rarely fired anymore, they just don't get new work from their supervisors, or else contact with their supervisors fades away if they don't bring their own clients with them.

I thought it really sucked working for a 40% split of full fees, usually 7 days a week and at least 12 hours a day taking care of my supervisors clients when I was in training. Man....I'll never whine about that again when I see what so many trainees have to go through now! :blink:

 

[Steve Wyrick]

Being a mentor I did not do the poll. However, I require that my trainee maintain an exact copy of the work file and his log. This is to be done upon completion of the review by me with him. Two signed hard copies of the report as sent to lender are made, one for my office file complete with all notes and information he had in his work file and one for his work file. He maintains his own log, which I initial each entry and sign when pages are full. If he does not log it, his problem.

There is an old saying that some new trainees better learn "The job ain't done till the paper work is done"

 

[Dee Dee]

Originally posted by Steve Wyrick@Feb 17 2004, 01:29 AM
However, I require that my trainee maintain an exact copy of the work file and his log. This is to be done upon completion of the review by me with him.

That is how it SHOULD be done!
How can a trainee learn if they never see their mentor's review and had the opportunity to discuss corrections and changes?????

 

[D-Max]

FYI I have every appraisal I've ever performed on my computer. They can be printed within seconds. What I don't have however is the paper workfile. When I became licensed and left the company I did my apprenticeship with I HAD to leave the paper files there. I do however still have a good relationship with the certified that I worked under so I Have access if i need it. Truth be known he probably wanted to keep me from the lender contact info but that is just spectulation. I am getting ready to apply for certification and he has told me that he will get me the files that the state requests.

I have sympathy for anyone who provides an appraisal to a supervisor and then lets them complete and send it. The trainee has no clue of the changes and no chance to argue their position. Most times the supervisor hasn't seen the property so he/she is flying blind so to speak.


my 2 cents worth

 

[Jerry Still]

Richard,

Better print a least page 1 & 2 of your reports, before your hard drive takes a "dump" on you. A CD, tape, or etc., copy of complete files would be a good idea. I like to be able to get my hands on the last five years of paper copies (old dog don't trust new fangled gadgets).

Florida (80% & Sun today) Jerry....went fishing