Million $$$ Appraisal for $250.....

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

I found out later in the day that this person is part of a whole family of appraisers, licensed and certified all working in one office.

I'm just curious what this has to do with anything.

 

[Ryan Bailey]

I'm just curious what this has to do with anything.

Sounds to me like he is implying that "the family" is doing something wrong.

 

[Hiker]

Geeezzz.. You guys will pick apart anything. My point was, I would expect an appraisal company that's been in business for over 10 years to have a little higher standards then some newbie that just received his license six months ago and is desperate for work, but maybe i'm wrong.

Whether you believe this companies billing fees are right or wrong is up to you. IMO, I think it's wrong. I think they all need to wear blue vests with smilies on the back.

 

[Hiker]

Karl.... I did not know you left... I just threw a bone to CGA this week. It was a MH between CG and Eloy. If I knew you left I would of passed it on to you instead. I have your number now on file.. No more calls to CGA. Gordon

 

[Mike Boyd]

Are you comparing prostitutes and their Johns to appraisers?

 

[Hiker]

Karl, Email me directly at CobraFan@cox.net for that info. I can't reply back on those emails you send me...

 

[Peter Krumm]

The fee should be based on complexity, not the value.

 

[Davd H Stevens]

Working cheap is a total disservice to our profession. After 27 years of valuing property, it just makes me dizzy to see the discount appraisers attempting to appraise complex properties. Based on some of the review work I do, I can not understand how some have been issued a license? I hope values continue to fall and rates continue to rise so some of the “ I will work for just over expenses crowd” will have to go back to wince they came and try to under cut some other profession they might run across when the getting is good. I love watching these $250 pros trying to “reach” a value here on the coast of California. One of these days before long they will get invited to a BBQ and find out they are the main course. Remember 1990-1991?

 

[Nevermind 3]

The fee should be based on complexity, not the value.

Touche'
_______________________________________
In addition to teh supply and demand issue, I have th efollowing thoughts.

but first, I do not charge extraordinarily low fees, and feel I am worth what I charge and I understand we have other costs and liabilities associated with our work. Please stick to my point below (no bashing).

But, don't you think that over the past 5-10 years, some aspects of our business has gotten easier and more efficient. At least in a lot of areas. In my area, I can get a ton of information before I ever leave the house, and typically within a few minutes, with available online databases.

My point is, technology continues to make the typical lender-based appraiser job more efficient, and I believe this trend will only continue. While, in years past, data had to be obtained directly from the courthouse (still does in some areas), or in MLS books, or other paper data sources, cdroms, or microfiche, today most data is readily available in minutes and seconds. I can pull data on many Subject properties and even find and map comps with specific parameters literally in about a minute. Some software will even populate the forms for us. Pretty soon, we will be automated out of some of these processes. The other day, I heard that about 70% of appraisals are now AVM's! Meaning, we are left to scrounge around for our piece of 30%. Well, with the influx of many new appraisers in the past few years and the diminishing work volume, it gets more difficult to find quality work.

It seems, our value as researchers and form fillers has and will continue to be diminished leaving us to reevaluate our value and expertise. I think it would do most of us good, to look at what our real value is.

As far as lender appraising goes, the Lender's purpose is to make the loan, while hopefully, relying on a reasonable value assessment. They don't have a use for all of our expertise, mainly the part that gets them the number. That is only part of what we do. If you are trying to command higher fees, than, IMO, one way to do it is to think about ways to make yourself more valuable. Think out of the box about how to utilize your expertise, knowledge and ability, more efficiently. Maybe there are other markets that appreciate more of what we have to offer, maybe we can package products that meet other industry needs, or whatever, expand your mind.

But, I am not sure how much good it is to think that our fees should remain at a constant level when our value seems to be diminishing. We should find ways of making ourselves more valuable again.

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not lowering my fees, but it seems obvious to me, our industry is changing and some of those changes are not temporary. We might need to tweak our paradigm somewhat.

OK, since I know it's coming anyway, .... let the bashing begin.....

 

[Kevin Mc]

Yes I do......

Remember 1990-1991?[/SIZE][/FONT]

One would think you learn from the past but as the saying goes it always repeats itself. Heard a local predatory sc*mbag had to close his 6 shops last week.....I'm all for the fallout, send these pikers packing.