Don't ever talk to the owner, as some of you may say.

[George Hatch]

I encourage people to send me a written list of their improvements. Almost none of them ever do, but that's besides the point. If they complain about the outcome later I can always say that I offered them every opportunity to contribute to the info but they didn't follow up.

Even if they don't realize it in such terms, the complaint people are making is that the appraiser is ignoring and disrespecting them in their own homes. Rushing through on auto-pilot and not paying enough attention to what they're supposed to be doing.

I don't always say so directly, but I frequently comment that I take every assignment seriously, I'm looking at a lot of data and I put a lot of thought into what I'm doing. I always ask if there's anything else they think I should know about the property. I don't see that as an act of patronizing them, but merely trying to act like a professional. Because I want to be perceived as being a professional, not a casual.

 

[Zoe]

I almost always ask owner what would you ask for your property if you were going to sell it? I want to know motivation from a market participant.

I don't do that in a contract. The owner has already signed the contract.

 

[Surf Cat]

I have heard from Borrowers that state to me "the last appraiser told me to talk to the hand!" Or " the last appraiser was in and out of here in 5 minutes!"

 

[alebrewer]

For the refi's - I could usually tell during the initial phone call how the interaction would go. Folks trying to take a lot of cash out of their property tended to start the pressure as soon as we made contact.

 

[George Hatch]

I have heard from Borrowers that state to me "the last appraiser told me to talk to the hand!" Or " the last appraiser was in and out of here in 5 minutes!"

^^^ Same. Appraiser like to try to hide behind Confidentiality and appraisal independence requirements, but those don't apply to info about the property itself, only to value issues.

I never ever ask a property owner what they think the value is. I never ask to see prior appraisal reports, either. I don't care what anyone else thinks my opinion should be.

Think it through - there's no upside to knowing what they want because all that can come of it is either:

• (If I end up agreeing) their perception that I'm on their team and am rubber stamping whatever they tell me to do, or
• (If I end up with a different opinion) their perception that I betrayed our friendship by not coming back with the same outcome they thought I would return.

 

[Zoe]

I encourage people to send me a written list of their improvements. Almost none of them ever do, but that's besides the point. If they complain about the outcome later I can always say that I offered them every opportunity to contribute to the info but they didn't follow up.

Even if they don't realize it in such terms, the complaint people are making is that the appraiser is ignoring and disrespecting them in their own homes. Rushing through on auto-pilot and not paying enough attention to what they're supposed to be doing.

I don't always say so directly, but I frequently comment that I take every assignment seriously, I'm looking at a lot of data and I put a lot of thought into what I'm doing. I always ask if there's anything else they think I should know about the property. I don't see that as an act of patronizing them, but merely trying to act like a professional. Because I want to be perceived as being a professional, not a casual.

The homeowner can share all kinds of information if you ask. I can see you being very inviting as previous law enforcement officer.

 

[Zoe]

The homeowner is a market participant. Bottom line.

 

[djd09]

is talking about churches, crimes, or the crooked banksters a misdemeanor or a felony...

 

[Zoe]

I come in way over what homeowner thinks many times. I also come in way under that homeowner thinks. I am not shy. I like to know motivations.

 

[Zoe]

is talking about churches, crimes, or the crooked banksters a misdemeanor or a felony...

Are you racist?