Taking voice notes during inspection?

[J Grant]

That's really nice, do you find them pretty accurate?

Yes, however in older houses or any houses with changes made it becomes less so. NA for many condos or new construction.

 

[Overimprovement]

To the original question, I dictated notes into a simple voice app on my phone--EasyVoice. I talked quietly enough to not worry about being overheard. I didn't sweat lawsuits and ticking people off. I have also used the notes function in total mobile for quick text notes when even talking quietly wasn't advised--we've all had the shadows. The ones that are on you the second you pull up and they have to move so you can even exit your vehicle...

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Example: "Upon entering the subject, you enter into a double door foyer with travertine flooring and dual staircases with high cathedral ceilings... there appears to be a water stain by the Skylight in the foyer, possibly from a leak. Making a left places you in the family room, continuing down the hall there's two bedrooms with ensuite baths and a laundry room at the end"..... etc etc.

What USPAP requires during an inspection vs what FNMA/FHA wants to know, and what is driving value seems to be a huge disconnect.

Std. 2 is about clear communication more so than details of the property. Are such details driving value? Likely most are not. While I may mention appliances, floor coverings, wall texture the real question is what is driving the value? Size? Condition? then what? In many areas the lot value exceeds the value of the improvements, but what appraiser really describes the land in any detail? Not many.

 

[Surf Cat]

Std. 2 is about clear communication more so than details of the property. Are such details driving value? Likely most are not.

As with a lot of things appraising.... it depends.

First off, the user's don't give a rat's butt about USPAP. Yes, in their engagement letters they have a blurb that acts like appraiser's boilerplate stating the appraisal must be USPAP compliant. Other than that, they don't really care.

Do materials and material grade drive value? Depending on the area and neighborhood, absolutely. Other areas, builder grade, Home Depot stuff suffice and it's not as important.

Malibu, Beverly hills, Holmby Hills, Bel Air, Etc. A description of the materials and features must match the quality rating of the dwelling. If you don't list them within the report, it's like calling the borrower's kids ugly. Conversely, if some flipper is putting Ikea cabinetry and appliances in one of the aforementioned areas, this has to be called out and explained matching the lower quality rating on what is typically conforming in the neighborhood.

But you're right, "most" areas have a mid-tier construction rating and it's all about the GLA, room count, utility for the area, etc.

My voice recordings along with my cell phone video was more "for me" to help with describing the subject property and the description of the improvements. This level of detail does not appear to be wanted anymore.