Florida Audit

[Steve Owen]

I don't know about Florida, but I can tell you about Missouri. I went through their audit process a few years ago. Missouri, at that time, was performing random audits of appraisers with the goal to audit the work of every single appraiser in the state over a five year period.

The process went like this. They called and asked for a copy of my log, which I sent. During that conversation, the auditor expressed some concern that I work on so many different property types. She also asked for copies of advertising and asked some general questions concerning sources of information, the latest Marshal & Swift pages in my cost handbook, etc. After recieving the log, she wrote back with a list of files she wanted - not only the appraisals, but everything in the workfiles as well. I copied all of that info and sent it to her. She found a small error in one of my yellow page ads, which I corrected. A few weeks later I got the standard letter - "no further action is required at this time." That is Missouri's way of saying you passed - the closest to an attaboy you'll ever get from these guys.

You mentioned the IRS. Again, I don't know about Florida. However, Missouri made it extremely clear that they will share appraisers logs with the IRS. So, if you are trying to hide income, I would suggest it is not a very good idea.

 

[Otis Key]

Al,

Don't listen to Bill - according to him, he no longer has a license. He said, but has not proven, that he sent his license (even though it apparently was only a trainee license - in my state that's a registration and not a license) back to the state. I'm still curious as to why he is posting here instead of doing his gardening, book writing, etc., and why he still won't post his letter telling the state to take his license back.

Listent to others. Frank is correct in that all states are mandated to periodically perform an audit. Especially if you've applied to upgrade your licensure. The board is well aware of what's going on in Florida and would not do this just to aggravate you. You could get more clear answers if you would state your licensure and if you had applied or something of that nature.

Again, to follow up behind Frank, you should remember that this is a group, typically, of your peers, i.e. appraisers. They're not out to get you. Usually they have a higher licensure than you, but we don't know, and a whole bunch more experience.

Go through your books, clean up the eraser marks :rofl: and grab a cold one tonight and relax.

 

[Mister Ed]

Originally posted by Francois K. Gregoire@Sep 29 2004, 09:21 PM

To answer Mr. Spivens' question, the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board is required to audit the experience claimed by a representative sample of applicants for State Certified Residential and State Certified General credentials. Although the FREAB has insisted on this audit for the past several years, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has been accepting an affadavit in lieu of the audit. DBPR has seen the error of their ways and the audit process has commenced.

The Experience Requirements for State Certified Appraisers are specified in Chapter 61J1-6.001 - Experience Requiements. If you need a copy, use the link below and click on 6.001.

http://www4.myflorida.com/dbpr/re/freab_st...and_rules.shtml

Frank,

How come a copy of an appraiser's log is not required as part of the application process to take the Florida Certification Exam? Just curious here.

I just recently applied to take the state exam to become a State Certifed Residential Real Estate Appraiser. Copies of my log were not required. It is not a big deal to me if it (or copies of workfiles) is requested.

Would not requiring this make it very easy for people to fudge on their claims of the required amount of work being performed?

Just curious.

-ed-

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

It used to be required with the cert application. I don't know why it's not now.

 

[Chris Colston]

Ed Foskey,Sep 30 2004, 11:46 PM

Frank,

How come a copy of an appraiser's log is not required as part of the application process to take the Florida Certification Exam? Just curious here.

I just recently applied to take the state exam to become a State Certifed Residential Real Estate Appraiser. Copies of my log were not required. It is not a big deal to me if it (or copies of workfiles) is requested.

I had to submit a log when I applied for certification. I thought it was a requirement. When did THAT change?

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

One person. Did MUCH more harm than ANY good for FREAB.

Buddy Johnson, former director of the Division of Real Estate.

 

[Francois K. Gregoire]

Originally posted by Ed Foskey@Sep 30 2004, 10:46 PM
Frank,

How come a copy of an appraiser's log is not required as part of the application process to take the Florida Certification Exam? Just curious here.

I just recently applied to take the state exam to become a State Certifed Residential Real Estate Appraiser. Copies of my log were not required. It is not a big deal to me if it (or copies of workfiles) is requested.

Would not requiring this make it very easy for people to fudge on their claims of the required amount of work being performed?

Just curious.

-ed-

Ed,

It's a long story. The short version is it was not a decision made by the FREAB. The Florida Legislature, a couple of years ago, mandated all forms for applications be developed by the DBPR. This is why the application has been "simplified" to become over eight pages with no log.

FREAB modified their rules to require each Trainee to maintain a log and retained the right to request the log and copies of the appraisal reports for audit. Despite the rules, DBPR failed to do the audits mandated by the rules.

For a variety of reasons, including persistence by the FREAB, DBPR is developing a new form to be used for the appraisal log and is now conducting audits of a representative sample of individuals certified since 2001. FREAB knows what to expect. Folks that did things by the book have nothing to fear. On the other hand......