More On Free Comp Checks

[Joker]

I am getting further and further convinced that many posters here are not playing by the ethical standards of USPAP. Some talk the talk but practice things differently in their "real world" offices.

Since you are known by the company you keep, I like to know who I am dealing with, even as a member of an online forum. A phone call or two, a visit to a company website is all it takes for a little research. It's interesting to note that several of the now regular posters here provide free comp checks and promote contingent fee assignments.

Certified appraisers should know better. It's not as if they have never taken a USPAP class or an update class. Frankly, I am tired of preaching. This forum is becoming more entertaining and less educational every day.

 

[Offshore]

I am getting further and further convinced that many posters here are not playing by the ethical standards of USPAP. Some talk the talk but practice things differently in their "real world" offices.

Since you are known by the company you keep, I like to know who I am dealing with, even as a member of an online forum. A phone call or two, a visit to a company website is all it takes for a little research. It's interesting to note that several of the now regular posters here provide free comp checks and promote contingent fee assignments.

Certified appraisers should know better. It's not as if they have never taken a USPAP class or an update class. Frankly, I am tired of preaching. This forum is becoming more entertaining and less educational every day.

Excellent point. Many in here remind me of the horn dog evangelical TV preachers who lecture you about morality, but due to their unique status, the rules don’t apply to them. In here it seems to be the manipulation of AO19..

 

[Stone]

I am getting further and further convinced that many posters here are not playing by the ethical standards of USPAP. Some talk the talk but practice things differently in their "real world" offices.

Since you are known by the company you keep, I like to know who I am dealing with, even as a member of an online forum. A phone call or two, a visit to a company website is all it takes for a little research. It's interesting to note that several of the now regular posters here provide free comp checks and promote contingent fee assignments.

Certified appraisers should know better. It's not as if they have never taken a USPAP class or an update class. Frankly, I am tired of preaching. This forum is becoming more entertaining and less educational every day.

Some of the newer regulars are quite blatant with their disregard for the rules. As Joker noted, a quick look at some websites is all it takes to see the difference between posting and reality.

 

[Stone]

Excellent point. Many in here remind me of the horn dog evangelical TV preachers who lecture you about morality, but due to their unique status, the rules don’t apply to them, especially the manipulation of AO19.

Some don't even bother to manipulate AO19 - they just blow on by it.

 

[Marcia Langley]

Was this an appraisal? I knew as soon as I saw the estimated value and the address that it was whack.

Chuck,

Yes, if you expressed that opinion to the client.

If you wanted to decline the order, so be it. But if you told the client that his estimated value for that address was whack, you did an appraisal.

This forum is becoming more entertaining and less educational every day.

Joker,

I'm inclined to agree with you.

 

[Steve Owen]

I'm reminded of something my mentor said. When the HO asked what he thought about the value, he said "At this point, you know better than I do. You live in the area and have some idea... I won't know until I finish the appraisal."

He walked out the door and turned to me saying, "What are we looking for here." (Appraiser speak for what was the sale price?) I told him, and he said "I don't think that will be any problem."

Point is (and the dirty little secret is) that a lot of appraisers know about what the value is the second they look at the property (or even before). While it is important not to let that cause you to be biased, that is okay... at that point it is only a hunch. It is only when you communicate that opinion that you have made an appraisal.

Federal, and in most cases state, laws and regulations say you cannot do that until you have met Std 1 and Std 2... that includes workfile, five year minimum retention, etc.

If you want to violate the law, go right ahead... I'll see you when you take that job working in construction or as an MB.

 

[Tazmaniac]

I agree, in this market lookups are necessary if done correctly. Most appraisers say it's an Ethics violation, and the way they do it...it prob would be. I always give a large range and make clear that it is based on info gathered and nothing is final until the inspection has been done. This is not an Ethics violation as long as it is done properly. I have discussed it with instructors and with board members, and while it is discouraged because appraisers aren't trained to do it, they say that it does not break any rules if done correctly.

 

[Mr Rex]

You'll never make $300k per year doing free comp checks. Wheels have to turn to make any money. Lets Roll.

 

[Joker]

Oh, I see. As long as you give a large range, it's not an appraisal and therefore complies with USPAP. Gosh. Look at all the free work I've missed out on.

The dumbing down of the forum is becoming quite sad.

(in the interest of following the host's rules, that last comment was in no way directed to any one person).

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

I agree, in this market lookups are necessary if done correctly. Most appraisers say it's an Ethics violation, and the way they do it...it prob would be. I always give a large range and make clear that it is based on info gathered and nothing is final until the inspection has been done. This is not an Ethics violation as long as it is done properly. I have discussed it with instructors and with board members, and while it is discouraged because appraisers aren't trained to do it, they say that it does not break any rules if done correctly.

If

I call you for a 'comp check' and you give it to me, then I walk into your office 5 minutes later asking for the workfile, what will you be able to hand to me right then and there?????