I just had an interesting call

[David Riggs]

This guy calls and said he is going through a divorce. He has property in two states and the wife had one property appraised at 110K. So the other one in Tulsa needed to come in at 110K otherwise he was out of pocket the difference.

This was the part where I could feel the slim coming out of the phone.

He said his lawyer advised him to name drop "functional obsolescence" and basically shop for an appraiser that will give him what he wants. I am not sure that either of them knew what it ment but they where throwing it around like a shield banner.

I was the second appraiser he had called (the first one sent him on his merry way). I did a quick cma and it showed that area starting at 130k and running to 160k for the same size. He put on the full court press saying "what would it take to obtain a report like that? and don't worry this is going to court in the other state, no one will see it". I mentioned that perhaps he could have gotten a second appraisal of the soon to be exwife;s 110K in the other state. Then he would not have to push for a 110k value on a 140k house in Tulsa. He shut me down quick! Didnt want to hear that! (perhaps that would have cost a few dollars more?)

I sent him packing as well. However I must say it left me feeling somewhat disappointed that appraisers in general had created such an unprofessional opinion with the attorney. Just call one up, mention 110k and functional obsolescence and wham you got it. That group is just a bunch of monkeys. Wiggle a peanut and watch them claw at it.

Let me ask this group. Do you think that appraisers as a whole has earned this reputation?

 

[Mountain Man]

Eeeeuuuuk, go take a hot shower.
But don't feel too bad about the HO or the a-turnee droping a few words to see if a bottom feeder hits. Anyone can do a Hotbot search and find some real estate terms "to drop".

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Do you think that appraisers as a whole has earned this reputation?

I hope not! :twisted: I don't think so. But it is a problem.
Sounds like the lawyer earning his professions reputation. :wink:

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

That attorney must be similar in ethics to Bruss.

:twisted: :2gunfire:

 

[Ross (CO)]

David, ....The stuff about one property having an equal and "balancing" value as the other property, as he proposed, was the immediate tip-off that their collective scheme was "not a road worth taking". Glad you turned it down? I would have rejected their offer as well. But, I might have played along for a while, as I would surely want to learn the name of that attorney, and possibly acquire the addresses of the two properties. When my phone rings, as soon as I put on the headset I grab a piece of note paper and a pen and I start writing notes of everything that is said. I will progressively ask for first and last names, locations, phone numbers, purposes, etc. (Sorry, it's habit of 10 years of sales work in my past) Yes, it is sad, as we experience moments like this (your call from him) and conclude that we are given little respect in the schemes and plans crafted by others. More and more ads appear in newspapers, and on radio, where I see or hear offers for "free appraisal" as a marketing tool to attract new business activity. They did not offer to reduce their commission, or make the credit check free, or the other sundry fees go un-charged. They have clearly isolated the "free appraisal" and identified what they consider as the most expendable and least-important element of their entire transaction. ....And, they will still attempt then to push their estimate of value upon us when and if an order materializes. I was conversing with another acquaintance recently and the conversation turned to (lack of) client appreciation of appraisers. I received ONE direct and specific "Thank You" from a client in 2002, as an e-mail message sent to me following a condo report for a first-time out-of-state client. Getting paid for one's services is perhaps the best expression of "Thank You" one might expect. Oh, well......keep applying your skin-thickener lotion every day.