National Appraiser Boycott

[jhornet88]

When do we finally join together as one and attempt to make changes that actually benefit us as the collective?

1. Our fees have been stagnant if not declining now for 12-15 years while everything else has gone up with inflation.

2. We face unethical AMC's that are taking a large % out of our fees with zero legislation in place to stop them unbeknownst to the general public.

3. We are forced to waste hours on end of our time as independent non salaried employees answering ridiculous revision requests that have zero effect on the actual assignment results.

4. We face absurd slander and attacks from Fair Housing officials who are now producing radio adds slandering the profession as "racists" with zero actual evidence of this
actually being an issue whatsoever in the industry. It makes no common sense to anyone with a functioning brain.

5. We are being tasked to learn a new "form" and new "software" with lenders and AMC's steadfast on paying us the same low ball fees regardless of the extra time constraints.



We have no Union. We have zero representation. No lobby fighting for us for even basic fair and reasonable treatment .

The only thing that is gonna save us is us. I don't know if a grassroots campaign is possible or will work and it might be painful for some for a few weeks but if we collectively boycott the conditions
we have been put in we can shut the whole system down until we are given what we ask or something atleast reasonable for the work we are putting in to try and feed our families.

What is stopping us from collectively boycotting the systems until we get better pay, resolve the AMC scam from the bad actors, get minimum fee standards. Get rid of the low ball "bid system" which
the consumer has zero idea takes place . The lenders and AMC's do not care about quality of one's work, they care about who can do it for the cheapest fee regardless of their talent or expertise.

Something has got to change. If not know, it will never happen.

 

[alebrewer]

While a noble thought, it seems to me the behemoth AMC's with large panels of staff appraisers might quell any concerted effort made by indie appraisers. Per AI estimates, both Class and Opteon have over 250 staff appraisers. And these aren't the only AMC's that maintain staff appraisers. CC probably has about the same #, and I know Solidifi, NPAS, and others have staff folks as well. And that's not counting the RSDS and True Footage folks.

 

[George Hatch]

A petition might be easier to organize than a boycott. I doubt either would have any impact on the lenders but there's no harm in trying.

I can't boycott but I would probably sign a petition.

 

[chad hampton]

While a noble thought, it seems to me the behemoth AMC's with large panels of staff appraisers might quell any concerted effort made by indie appraisers. Per AI estimates, both Class and Opteon have over 250 staff appraisers. And these aren't the only AMC's that maintain staff appraisers. CC probably has about the same #, and I know Solidifi, NPAS, and others have staff folks as well. And that's not counting the RSDS and True Footage folks.

The 1/3 middle man become 2/3'rds of the equation. What a f'd up profession. Complete scufflaw.

My letter signing days are over. haven't see one make a difference yet. They only care about the revaa letter. But Im all for a boycott.

 

[Gobears81]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but there is a psychological barrier that appraising constantly pushes, where people are told what they don't want to hear, and consequently, it is one of the easiest professions to pile on. If we were a unified front, perhaps some of the criticism would fall flat, but as competition, we also tend to be quite critical of other appraisers for their competency, ethics, etc.

As mentioned in Post #2, AMCs have rendered much of the resistance toothless by hiring so many of our ranks. I took an issue with an AMC that could easily be found to have anti-competitive practices and complained to ICAP, but that went nowhere. As soon as the Appraisal Institute starts standing up to AMCs, the CEO is fired.

AVMs and waivers will only become more prominent as AI/ technology improves. I have talked multiple bright-eyed youngsters out of becoming a residential appraiser.

I don't know about the OP's background, but lending work is not the future to this profession. I am doing my best to cut that type of work down to a few loyal clients and it has helped job satisfaction by not being constantly crammed down on fees or under the gun on turnarounds.

 

[J Grant]

The petition would need to be signed by RE agents ( many of whom are sympathetic to appraisers ) and others because too few appraisers would sign it. Only 10% of appraisers signed the last petition, though I would sign a petiton.

Publicity can be powerful. Any appraisers who can manage it, prepare an article to submit or arrange an interview with a member of the press or an internet podcaster. Lenders hate bad publicity.

A boycott will not work. There are enough staff appraisers and appraisers who will accept orders to make it meaningless. Individual appraisers need to stop accepting low AMC fees. If they each held out for as high a fee as they can, they would get the fees because appraisal orders are on a deadline wrt loan approval. And hate to say it, but boycotting UAD 3.6 orders will backfire. Turn down work from AMCs unless the fee is decent which amounts to a defacto partial boycott.

 

[Bobby Bucks]

We had a petition, I believe it got between 10,000-11,000 signatures. The biggest surprise to me wasn't that it didn't get any real results because it's always been a mouse against a lion where appraisers and the GSE/AMC crime family is concerned. What surprised me was the number of people I know who IRL and in here who did NOT sign it. Most "notables" and pseudo notables not only didn't sign it, they impugned those who did.

 

[Surf Cat]

When do we finally join together as one and attempt to make changes that actually benefit us as the collective?

Yeah....this has been presented several times but it never gets traction. Appraisers won't hold the line. The AMC will go here, "I'll give you another $100 to do the assignment" and that appraiser will fold not having their eye on the main prize.

If you got a 3-day stop, Nationwide by all appraisers, that'd be a miracle.

Don't forget, it's not just boycotting working for the AMC's and the lenders who get their fees paid for by the appraiser, you have to go loud and send out press releases to all the major media Outlets so it runs on the 5:00 news.

Here's a letter to send major media Outlets.

Subject: Notification of Strike and Demand for Reform

Dear Lender,

We, the undersigned independent real estate appraisers engaged by [AMC Name], collectively notify you of our decision to suspend acceptance of all new appraisal orders, effective immediately. This collective action results from ongoing conditions that threaten both our professional standards and the viability of our businesses.

Our decision is based on the following critical issues:

Unreasonably low appraisal fees that fail to reflect the expertise, experience, and regulatory requirements incumbent on appraisers.

Excessive pressure for rapid turnaround times, which undermines the quality and credibility of our appraisals by prioritizing speed and cost-cutting over accuracy and due diligence.

Selection practices based on lowest bid rather than qualifications, resulting in the proliferation of substandard reports and driving experienced, ethical appraisers out of the industry.

Interference with appraiser independence, including practices that pressure appraisers to meet predetermined values or risk blacklisting and loss of business.

These conditions have damaged professional trust, lowered appraisal quality, and pose risks to consumers and the broader real estate market. Continued disregard for fair compensation and independent judgment makes it unsustainable to provide reliable valuation services under current terms.

Our main demands:

Set minimum fee standards that reflect customary and reasonable appraiser compensation for each market.

Grant adequate time for each assignment to ensure comprehensive, USPAP-compliant appraisal reports.

Prioritize the selection of appraisers by qualifications and geographic competence, not solely by lowest fee.

End threats, intimidation, or retaliation against appraisers for delivering unbiased and accurate valuations.

This action will remain in effect until [
Lenders whom utilize AMC's commits in writing to address these concerns and engages in meaningful dialogue with our representatives to establish updated policies and practices.

We take this action reluctantly, recognizing its impact on clients and the market, but see no alternative to preserve the integrity of our profession.

 

[glenn walker]

The reason one becomes Self Employed is to remain independent and once he-she starts boycotting or signing petitions thier no longer Independent and it's time to get employed with a real company that offers a steady paycheck and some benefits.

Petitions and unorganized boycotts don't work it's been tried and those appraisers went broke. The Ship Sailed and it's not coming back.

 

[J Grant]

We had a petition, I believe it got between 10,000-11,000 signatures. The biggest surprise to me wasn't that it didn't get any real results because it's always been a mouse against a lion where appraisers and the GSE/AMC crime family is concerned. What surprised me was the number of people I know who IRL and in here who did NOT sign it. Most "notables" and pseudo notables not only didn't sign it, they impugned those who did.

I would sign another peitiion, howver imo a petition to be effective needs other groups, cheif among them RE agents. I have heard man of them complain about AMC;s

The other effective tool is the press, podcasts, a website devoted to the issues that could get traffic .