Lawrence r's post is worth the read. Stone-poundage does not mean a report filled with irrelevant data it means that those that use our services do not seem to be leaning toward wanting more relevant info, they seem to be leaning toward a more lean quicker product for the collateral side. Whether that is advisable or not can be debated ad- infinitem and has been on this forum for a long time. But it has not changed the trend despite the current situation which is what amazes me. Speed and greed still prevails. At some point in time one has to sit back and ponder whether one can actually survive by hanging on to the ole ways of doing things whether those ways are better or not or at some point do you have to do what you gotta do to survive. Many---I guess way too many appraisers have already made that decision to do what it took to survive and compromise quality and even their ethics. It's too late to try to turn the clock back now except for some here that are near retirement and have made their money. It's easier for them to post day after day how high their ethics are and how they are hangin onto to their poundage products with great pride. Good for them but there are way too many appraisers out there that have bills to pay, kids to put through school etc... to be able for them to afford to take the high road. You can't regulate, catch or punish them all so for right now, this profession is mostly in shambles and the reasons for it are not necessarily worth re-hashing without their being any realistic chances for real changes. Not worth the effort debating even unless there are some realistic prospects on the horizon-we thought the hvcc might be it but it doesn't look like it now. The whole system needs to be dismantled but that isn't going to happen despite what has happened.
This lean and mean USPAP compliant sow may or may not exist but let's say it does-There is still way too much risk associated with performing these appraisals from state boards that may or may interpret a fully compliant sow as not being compliant. I would like you to respond to my statement about the development requirements for an appraisal and how they can be met by an appraisal product that could compete with a BPO. Let's talk specifics-which standards could be eliminated in the development of an appraisal.
I'm not clear which standards you associate with making it impossible to produce a report, with a limited SOW, that could be quick.
I'm not sure why you would want to/need to eliminate standards in order to do this.
You are more than capable of sitting down in front of your computer, copy of USPAP in hand, and writing out a shell document that would explain a very limited SOW that could be changed slightly for each assignment without much fuss.
SOW - say what you do and do what you say. Figure out what level of inspection is needed for this type of product - explain it. Figure out what level of research is necessary for this type of assignment - explain it. Figure out what definition of market value you are using and include it. Note who the intended use/users are. Describe what information sources you are using. Explain which approaches to value are appropriate. Personally, I'd note and EAs or HCs, but apparently that isn't a requirement. Write up the purpose of the appraisal. Note the legal, ownership and HBU (as briefly as possible). Set up a fairly brief and simple sales comparison section.
I'm not taking out USPAP simply to prove something that doesn't need proving. But, that is a basic summary of the steps you would go through to create a quick and easy shell doc. I'm a little wordy and cannot imagine doing it in less than 4-5 pages, but I suppose it could be done in less. At any rate, for urban residential properties, that could be done in a manner that doesn't require tons of changes every time. You would have to find out what the client is looking for and see if anything else is necessary.
I'm not going to tell you it would be profitable. I've never claimed I would do this. I don't understand people wishing to work for many of the fees I see discussed around here. But, if one is hell-bent on competing with BPOs, USPAP doesn't deny one the ability to do so.
And, if that is your cup of tea, I'm guessing your background as an appraiser would be an asset in becoming a RE agent and doing all sorts of these without USPAP.
FTR - I liked Larry's post as well.
