Ethical/Moral Dilemma

[Mark K]

One would hope an appraiser that walks into different homes all the time would know the difference between slob and actually endangered....but what legal ramifications are you worried about?

Seems some appraisers like to pretend to be lawyers and see lawsuits everywhere, especially where they don't or won't exist. Afraid to do the right thing because of an imaginary, bizarre "legal" scenario to justify their non-action. Certainly reveals their character.

Chances are the daughter is the one pushing Mom to refi in order to steal the money, in the same way she is probably doing right now with the SS checks.

 

[Fernando]

Reminds me of one time I went to this house with dogs.
Place stunk and I had to hold my breath.
Normally I tried to give an objective face.
I couldn't control my facial features when I'm disgusted with the house.

 

[Sadie]

What if the person is not being abused and is just a slob? The potential legal ramifications....I wouldn't want.

How many times have left a home and think compared to this person, I am the cleanest, tidiest person ever.

There are real slobs out there to balance out the nothing out of place people. Sometimes they are mentally ill, but most of the time they are not. Just not the cleanest, tidiest person out there. And there are plenty of people out there who don't see the value of maintaining their home. Or throwing stuff away.

 

[Fernando]

How many times have left a home and think compared to this person, I am the cleanest, tidiest person ever.

There are real slobs out there to balance out the nothing out of place people. Sometimes they are mentally ill, but most of the time they are not. Just not the cleanest, tidiest person out there. And there are plenty of people out there who don't see the value of maintaining their home. Or throwing stuff away.

I tend to hold on to lot of stuff. Must be habit growing up poor.
I have to keep reminding myself that I can afford it now.

 

[Tom4value]

Signs of abuse are different from mess. Even so if the conditions are bad enough, a wellness check is the RIGHT thing to do as a professional. Abuse or not.



No, by cancelling the order you are making a decision as a professional. What if you got to the property and realized you were related to the borrower and had a conflict? Would you let your client decide on that too?

You can just as easily be sued for discrimination for conveying the condition of the property to the client and them cancelling as you could for making your own decision and calling for help. Liability comes with the job.

Canceling because of a conflict is specified in USPAP so I am covered.

Granted, I am not a lawyer so what I say on this topic is not set in stone. It is just my opinion based on my gut telling me what is and isn’t a bad idea.

 

[ucbruin]

How many times have left a home and think compared to this person, I am the cleanest, tidiest person ever.

There are real slobs out there to balance out the nothing out of place people. Sometimes they are mentally ill, but most of the time they are not. Just not the cleanest, tidiest person out there. And there are plenty of people out there who don't see the value of maintaining their home. Or throwing stuff away.

Once I had both my cataracts removed and lenses implanted....
I was appalled....
At how I had been living....

 

[Doug Wegener]

Got an order for a refi. Elderly homeowner not answering repeated calls. Lender said to call the daughter as the mother wont answer the phone if she doesnt recognize the number. Ok, whatever. Set up the appointment.
Just left there. The house is in such bad repair, leaking roof, sagging ceilings, cat **** smell everywhere, missing flooring, doorways blocked with furniture, broken windows/ripped screens. The roof is covered with moss, peeling wallpaper, kitchen and baths original to the home 1930's build. Clearly, that home is unsafe! My question to you, what would you do? Just report to the lender and forget about that woman? I would really like to report this to the elder abuse hotline, but I dont think i can due to my confidentiality required by USPAP. HELP bring me some clarity.

The Elderly are not treated well in this country. Report it if you like but she may end up in a nursing home that is worse than where she is now. Have you seen some of those places?