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

[ucbruin]

One of my profs got a complaint because the HO didn't like his car.

That reminds me....
While still a BoA staff appraiser my manager got a complaint from a HO about where I parked my car....
I parked it on the street and not her driveway....

 

[Sadie]

I nearly aways kept the conversation to a bare minimum.

OTOH, I've told owners..: "OK, appraisal discussion is off for a few minutes...let me look at your classic car collection (guy had 15 muscle cars under cloth sheets in his barn).

Another time I said the same thing and asked if I could look at the DOZENS of gold and platinum records covering the living room walls. Turns out, the elderly lady was the grandmother of a very famous Hollywood singer and record producer. He always sent his awards to his g-ma.

IMO, if someone has something way cool hanging on the wall, I'll ask about it. People wouldn't hang it out in the open if they weren't proud of it and wanted to show it off.

We see lots of cool stuff and I will ask about some of it.

 

[Sadie]

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!"

Do you need to go in every room? The last appraiser didn't

 

[Sadie]

When I call to set up an appointment, I always ask the owner to write down any improvements they've made to the property in the last 5 to 10 years. It makes them feel like I care. One of my best clients from years ago would always back me up in situations like this. For instance, when a refinance didn’t turn out the way the owner wanted, they called the bank and said I showed up late and was only in the house for five minutes. The bank's response was that I always give a range of time for my appointments, that I spend more than five minutes at the property, and that they don’t want to risk any bad loans.

Its also stuff you need to know.

 

[gregb]

We see lots of cool stuff and I will ask about some of it.

Please, no photos of the animals. 14 dogs, 8 feral cats, 4 goats and a drove of pot-bellied pigs.

 

[TC]

The owner would not care if you spent five minutes if they got the value they wanted !

Agreed. They only complain when you don't hit the number they wanted.