How far do I go?

[Richard Carlsen]

The answer is very simple:

Even if you made a mistake going on to the property, you are obligated to report what you saw. Even if you violated a No Trespassing sign and were picked up and hauled before the man, you are obligated to tell your client what you saw as they cuffed you and hauled you away.

Simple.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Yes, the whole enchilada. And since they didn't already haul you in before tha man, forget about it!

 

[Farm Gal]

I would (and HAVE ) done similar things with similar dresults...

Just part of the job, jus the facts....

HOWEVER FOLKS Be careful out there! there can be angry homeowners 'lurking' and they can be dangerous... go on high alert if you do such a thing and stay awake.

IRS preforeclosures can be the worst.

my opinion and only in tenny-runners do I do such things... car door is open and the engine left runnin'...

 

[Anonymous]

Excuse me, but as I recall the exterior inspection does not relieve one of the responsibility to KNOW what is in the interior and that information, therefore must be obtained from some "reliable Third Party source" - AO 2 as i recall. Report what YOU see and in the absence of what you see report what a RELIABLE THIRD PARTY tells you. No third partee, no appraisee.

Also, if this is a RESIDENTIAL appraisal then the question of a <40 X 110 metal barn, with no detached garage. There is an open space where the front door>> and in your part of OKlahoma am I assuming most people live in a barn? Is this not by DEFINITION a complex property? Is a Driveby like you describe appropriate for a barn?

I did a house as you describe only it had finished rooms, and 2/3 not finished. Narrative, commercial fee.........you are exposing yourself to a very high liability, very time consuming appraisal, and for what? A cut rate fee?

Terrel Next to OK

 

[bradellis]

Ter,

Sorry man, but I disagree.

AO-2 is fine, but the prevailing wisdom backed up by USPAP standards and statements allows you to make whatever extraordinary assumtions that may be required to complete the assignment.

Intended use/users/standard of value lead to effective date, relevant characteristics, and assignment conditions. In this, the assignment conditions preclude interior inspection; ergo, the scope of work is limited to what the appraiser can see and find out without such inspection, and the assignment results must be viewed by the client under that limitation. They are the ones who set the limitation.

Naturally, the appraiser must disclose these limitations in the reprot.

Frankly, this assignment could have even been done at one's desk without even a drive-by if the client agreed that is what they wanted.

Note that this does not mean that you, or any other appraiser, cannot refuse such an assignment. I've done so in certain circumstances. Pretty much always, the client got me access.

Brad Ellis, IFA,RAA