I did a farm appraisal once and the banker asked the Realtor to ask me to remove negative comments because she did not like negative comments in her appraisal files. The comments had to do with marketability due to poor access, which directly affected value and risk. I had two choices: Tell the banker to mind her own damn business and run the bank and let me do the appraising in which case I would be out of business, or do as she instructed. I had no recourse other than the above-mentioned choices.
I didn't remove the comments. This same bank use to call me for an appraisal and if I hit the number I got a check within a week. If I didn't hit the number they handed the borrower the appraisal and the bill and the collection was my problem. If this is not gross influencing I have never seen gross influencing of an appraiser. Finally, I just stopped doing work for them.
Here is my take on this: I blame this on the government and regulators. If they create a corruptible system with no recourse for the appraiser against the regulated lender that holds a power position over the appraiser, then the government and regulators can expect nothing but corruption and bad results. The purpose of Title XI was to protect the banking system, so they passed regulations to regulate appraisers but gave them no safeguards against corrupt bankers that hold the power position. An example is a baseball umpire. If every time the umpire refuses to change his mind or ignore the rules when somebody disagrees with him and can be fired by the aggrieved party, then that is a corruptible system. The only method of correcting this system is to make the umpire the final authority on the field and make rules with stiff penalties for any person or team that interferes with the umpire. A good rule would be: If you question the umpire for obeying the regulations and enforcing the rules that we the baseball commission imposed on him then you will pay the price. No appeals, no lawyers, no political intervention and we the regulators will back you up 100%.
The only problem I have had with the bank I presently appraise for is that if I don't hit the number, it is about six months or longer before I get paid sometimes. About three months ago I had $3,300 in bills over 90 days old none of which hit the number. I got a check the other day 18 months past due owed by the person that owns most of the auto dealership buildings in this region a number of which I had appraised. Excuse given was: We haven't closed the loan yet. I don't give a damn if they never close the loan. Not paying the appraier in a timely manner is coercion per and simple.