23Degrees
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2004
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- California
Since the end of the Alamode mailbox2000 era I have only emailed or downloaded reports that were locked pdf. The concept of having my report ripped up and put back together thru the well known intermediaries just seemed ill advised to me.
After re-reading the ASB 2007 Q&A section on the subject of signature control, and the definition of Signature in the Definitions Section the following seems to be the case:
The appraiser does not have to be the one to actually place the signature on the report prior to it reaching the client. The appraiser can give authorization for signature application.
However, the appraiser is in fact responsible for the signed report, in whatever format, that does initially reach the client if the authorization has been given.
http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/bin.asp?CID=12&DID=1097&DOC=FILE.PDF
With regard to altering the report, per the ASB USPAP does not address ownership of the report and “clients” are often known to alter, redact etc. and the appraiser is not responsible for the report after it has been transmitted to the client. Just in case there is any confusion, by client I believe the ASB is not referring to intermediaries including AMC’s or conduits, but perhaps this needs clarification as I know that some AMC’s require that they be listed or co-listed as the client.
As stated above I have never utilized the conduits or software that are the focus of this issue. To those who do utilize these, is there any direct or implied authorization given by the appraiser for “remodel” or signature removal and re-application prior to transmission to the final client?
If so, then would not the following be true:
- Having given authorization either case by case or broadly, the appraiser is then fully responsible for the product transmitted to the client regardless of the extent of “remodel”.
On the contrary, if no authorization is given then would not any alteration fall under the category of fraud by the intermediary?
I am not trying to start a thread on whether or not altering takes place and if so if the alterations are malevolent or harmless. I would like to clarify responsibility along the chain of distribution.
There is some activity on this subject over on AppraisalScoop and it looks like another area that could be getting some serious review soon.
I am still wary of these conduits and altering software products as it just seems off in some way but I am not trying to pass judgment as for all I know appraisers who utilize these avenues give authorization with full confidence and the alterations, remodels, and signature re-attachments are harmless or even useful. Or not… but I’m just looking for clarification here.
Are there any other document types that undergo this alleged level of alteration, including signature removal and re-attachment prior to reaching an intended user or “client”? Legal documents, medical records, prescriptions, antiquity authentication? – anything? Or would we be alone in this practice? I’m not being sarcastic, I am seriously asking as I would consider signature removal and re-attachment a big deal with any other document I sign on a regular basis, authorized or not.
After re-reading the ASB 2007 Q&A section on the subject of signature control, and the definition of Signature in the Definitions Section the following seems to be the case:
The appraiser does not have to be the one to actually place the signature on the report prior to it reaching the client. The appraiser can give authorization for signature application.
However, the appraiser is in fact responsible for the signed report, in whatever format, that does initially reach the client if the authorization has been given.
http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/bin.asp?CID=12&DID=1097&DOC=FILE.PDF
With regard to altering the report, per the ASB USPAP does not address ownership of the report and “clients” are often known to alter, redact etc. and the appraiser is not responsible for the report after it has been transmitted to the client. Just in case there is any confusion, by client I believe the ASB is not referring to intermediaries including AMC’s or conduits, but perhaps this needs clarification as I know that some AMC’s require that they be listed or co-listed as the client.
As stated above I have never utilized the conduits or software that are the focus of this issue. To those who do utilize these, is there any direct or implied authorization given by the appraiser for “remodel” or signature removal and re-application prior to transmission to the final client?
If so, then would not the following be true:
- Having given authorization either case by case or broadly, the appraiser is then fully responsible for the product transmitted to the client regardless of the extent of “remodel”.
On the contrary, if no authorization is given then would not any alteration fall under the category of fraud by the intermediary?
I am not trying to start a thread on whether or not altering takes place and if so if the alterations are malevolent or harmless. I would like to clarify responsibility along the chain of distribution.
There is some activity on this subject over on AppraisalScoop and it looks like another area that could be getting some serious review soon.
I am still wary of these conduits and altering software products as it just seems off in some way but I am not trying to pass judgment as for all I know appraisers who utilize these avenues give authorization with full confidence and the alterations, remodels, and signature re-attachments are harmless or even useful. Or not… but I’m just looking for clarification here.
Are there any other document types that undergo this alleged level of alteration, including signature removal and re-attachment prior to reaching an intended user or “client”? Legal documents, medical records, prescriptions, antiquity authentication? – anything? Or would we be alone in this practice? I’m not being sarcastic, I am seriously asking as I would consider signature removal and re-attachment a big deal with any other document I sign on a regular basis, authorized or not.