Grace
Sophomore Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Professional Status
- Licensed Appraiser
- State
- California
I appraised a home and came in $30,000 under the contract price. I think my appraisal is a good one and will stand by it.
The sellers agent called me and literally yelled (I had to hold the phone away from my ear) stating I didn't know what I was doing and that I disregarded comparables more similar to the subject. He stated every other appraiser would have no problem, and he named most of the appraisers in the county.
He said, "Do you know who I am?" I do know who he is because we had met before when I worked for another appraiser. He stated that he has been in business in this county for a lot of years and he would make it his mission to call every lender and real estate agent to make sure they don't hire me. He stated he would spend "twenty grand" of his own money making sure I don't get work. I think he means it.
He said "If your looking for trouble lady, you got it." Believe me, I am not looking for trouble. He stated he will tell the owner of the property to sue me and that he hopes my E and O insurance is current (it is).
It was a long phone call--about 15 minutes and he made a lot of threats. He would not listen to me and was irrational...really, it was awful. I hate to blow anyones deal, I know how hard it is to make a living in real estate.
Ordinarily, I wouln't be upset, but he is well known in the county, which is relatively small, and I believe he could do me a lot of professional harm. He said he's already sold more property than I'll ever appraise in my lifetime.
I would like to document his remarks with the appropriate authority, not to cause any problems, but just so it is on record in the event he follows through on his threats and damages my reputation. Who should I contact for Northern California? What process should I follow?
He did say one thing I agreed with. He said that I should have called and told him I couldn't reach value, as a professional courtesy. I feel bad about that but I don't think it would have made a difference in this case because he would have been extremely upset that I couldn't reach value.
I need all the advice I can get so I can sleep.
Sorry this is so long, I wish I felt better for writing it but I still feel sick.
Thanks in advance.
The sellers agent called me and literally yelled (I had to hold the phone away from my ear) stating I didn't know what I was doing and that I disregarded comparables more similar to the subject. He stated every other appraiser would have no problem, and he named most of the appraisers in the county.
He said, "Do you know who I am?" I do know who he is because we had met before when I worked for another appraiser. He stated that he has been in business in this county for a lot of years and he would make it his mission to call every lender and real estate agent to make sure they don't hire me. He stated he would spend "twenty grand" of his own money making sure I don't get work. I think he means it.
He said "If your looking for trouble lady, you got it." Believe me, I am not looking for trouble. He stated he will tell the owner of the property to sue me and that he hopes my E and O insurance is current (it is).
It was a long phone call--about 15 minutes and he made a lot of threats. He would not listen to me and was irrational...really, it was awful. I hate to blow anyones deal, I know how hard it is to make a living in real estate.
Ordinarily, I wouln't be upset, but he is well known in the county, which is relatively small, and I believe he could do me a lot of professional harm. He said he's already sold more property than I'll ever appraise in my lifetime.
I would like to document his remarks with the appropriate authority, not to cause any problems, but just so it is on record in the event he follows through on his threats and damages my reputation. Who should I contact for Northern California? What process should I follow?
He did say one thing I agreed with. He said that I should have called and told him I couldn't reach value, as a professional courtesy. I feel bad about that but I don't think it would have made a difference in this case because he would have been extremely upset that I couldn't reach value.
I need all the advice I can get so I can sleep.
Sorry this is so long, I wish I felt better for writing it but I still feel sick.
Thanks in advance.