The Appraisal Foundation Brings Standards And Guidance To Appraisal Software Programs

[timd354]

It does not seem likely, if the AQB ends the work experience requirement, that this will be a magic bullet to fix deficient appraisers from entering the profession.

I am not an advocate for dropping the work experience requirement but I am supportive of rethinking the entire process of training new appraisers because it is not like the existing process (including the work experience requirement) has not resulted in a substantial number of deficient and ill-trained appraisers in the profession. I am not sure that having an appraiser trainee get his work experience working for an incompetent mentor is not worse than no work experience. Unfortunately, there is no real mechanism that will prevent most of the idiots from being mentors.

 

[Dale Smalley]

How long are you going to add to the turn time with that?

 

[Evincere]

The Appraisal Foundation Brings Standards And Guidance To Appraisal Software Programs

This thread is about TAF "partnering" with software companies and their new products is it not? Dragging on and dredging about experience and educational standards or lack thereof can be found in countless other threads.

 

[Evincere]

I don't think I have a "gloom & doom" attitude, but, I see this as the next step in trivializing the role of the appraiser in the process. All the data that is needed, with the exception of the on-site inspection, is available on-line in most areas. Lender sends a $15/hr person to take pictures of interior and exterior and maybe measure and it can be entered and a file and report created by the software.
and
Say good-bye to lending work. Private, non-lender work should still be available,

Based upon press release it would seem TAF is lending their mojo and name to "new" appraisal software products geared to saving Appraisers form filling time. One mentioned is ACI online Sky software program and the other is a Bradford's Redstone product. Whether some of these products have been USPAP compliant has always been fodder for discussion.

TAF alludes to a "partnership" with these companies.

 

[George Hatch]

I disapprove of TAF "partnering" with any commercial interests. I'm not at all crazy about their deal with McKissock, either; not because it's McKissock but because that deal seems to go beyond what they do with McKissock's competition (including the AI).

I'm not familiar with what's going on over there with this partnership, but if they haven't already made the same offer to every competing formsware vendor then I'd be hugely disappointed in their judgement.

IMO characterizing their role as anything other than functioning as a public resource on behalf of the appraisal profession and the users of appraisals as a whole is a mistake. They should be aiming at barely breaking even every year, not expanding their role or growing an empire or buying office buildings or the like.

 

[Evincere]

Well, I am glad TAF will be helping some appraisers.

Do what. Be USPAP compliant with new, abbreviated, low cost, low fee appraisal products?

ACI Sky empowers the valuation professional to create full reports on the web with tools for sketching, data collection, review, MISMO® XML delivery, location and flood mapping.

For Bradford Technologies, the partnership with the Foundation offers an opportunity to further the company’s focus on helping move the appraisal profession, and in particular residential appraisers, away from tedious form-filling and towards computer-aided appraising Redstone technology

 

[Evincere]

I disapprove of TAF "partnering" with any commercial interests. I'm not at all crazy about their deal with McKissock, either; not because it's McKissock but because that deal seems to go beyond what they do with McKissock's competition (including the AI).

I'm not familiar with what's going on over there with this partnership, but if they haven't already made the same offer to every competing formsware vendor then I'd be hugely disappointed in their judgement.

IMO characterizing their role as anything other than functioning as a public resource on behalf of the appraisal profession and the users of appraisals as a whole is a mistake. They should be aiming at barely breaking even every year, not expanding their role or growing an empire or buying office buildings or the like.

Wouldn't any agreements or partnerships TAF makes with commercial software companies be required to be a matter of public record? Press release indicates these companies were "selected" by TAF.

Based upon what terms and conditions, monetary exchanges/benefits.

 

[Eli]

Will never ever switch to ACI or Bradford software even though I was a 20 yr customer of Bradford. That being said there's something about this and these new "partnerships" that just stinks.

Me either. Never. It has to do with whether I think a company has their own best interests at heart or an appraiser's best interest as well as public trust with me, which is being touched on here pretty good.

 

[Evincere]

.”

The Appraisal Foundation selected three companies for the initial launch, each committed to providing appraisers with the tools to perform quality appraisals through their respective software programs. These new software programs will assist in saving appraisers time and will equip them with the resources to help ensure compliance with USPAP, ultimately benefiting both lenders and consumers.

if alamode is the largest residential appraiser software vendor why are they not on the list?

Although it should be obvious it's not only because as Appraisers we generally, do not keep abreast of who TAF partners up with. Alamode for whatever reason chose not to be a TAF Corporate Partner. Alamode has a significant, long standing software market share which begs the question - Why wouldn't Alamode Partner with TAF, especially if doing so would grow expand and their market further. I venture to say it is within Alamode's financial means to bear the Corporate Partnership costs. The recognition and association alone as a listed TAF partner should be worth something?

TAF selected its Partners - IMNSHO Partners are those who pay to play.

http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/...spx?hkey=d8beec82-689d-496b-984b-0beac1b70026

 

[George Hatch]

I don't know and I don't assume there's anything underhanded going on. TAF might not even be making a buck off these arrangements. My problem with the characterization is that when a commercial interest touts a partnership they're usually referring to a for-profit contractual relationship where one side is selling and the other is buying.

I guess my beef is the aura of the relationship amounting to a commercial endorsement. It's not like a library that's providing a resource or where their participation is being referred to as advisory.