VA approval?

[Mountain Man]

I have been FHA approved for ever, but never bothered to become VA approved. I am getting a lot of calls from lenders looking for a VA appraiser. What does it take and how do you sign up? I do EDI, that is 99% of how I send reports now, and have a great DLS connection. Just asking.
Mell.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Guess I'm confused. VA is still VA select - not lender select, isn't it? Why are lenders calling asking for a VA appraiser??? :?

 

[Ron in AR]

Leggett,

Contact the VA office in your region. One of your lender clients can probably tell you where that is. The VA has an application process and basically, around here anyway, they won't put an appraiser on the panel unless the volume of VA appraisals is more than the existing panel can handle. It's a fairly easy process if they need someone, it's just that they usually don't need anyone else.

The VA is still assigning appraisers to cases from the panel. I am surprised they haven't gone Realtor-select (same as lender select).

Sometimes it takes a lot of persistence to get on the panel.

Good luck,

Ron in AR

 

[Mountain Man]

Appreciate it, I don't want to beg that hard. I just have some lenders that asked if I was approved because I have done FHA. I don't know if they get much, but the VA appraisers are probably driving up from Atlanta or Athens, and that is not a short drive. It is interesting that the appraiser is still assigned by the VA. Are they trying to keep lender pressure and coercion down?

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Contrary to popular belief, the VA is still a closed panel and most likely will be for quite some time. The reason is obivious...all the fraud in the FHA lender select program!.

You make application to your VA Regional Center. Typically, the waiting period is from 3 to 7 years since being on the panel is desired by most honest appraisers (not a good place to be if dishonest). In this region, they require a minimum of 5 years experience as a licensed or certified appraiser (apprenticeship time does not count). You need letters of recommendation for both lenders and other appraisers in the area.

The advantages include steady assignments. The disavantages are quick turn times required, you must accept work for any lender who is approved to do VA (may or may not pay in a timely manner), and you have to follow their supplimental guidelines and requirements. In most areas the fee is good (set by the VA) you get the same fee regardless of the travel time and distance, and you will receive liquidation work which involves more work on your part for the same fee.

The VA just put on 5 new appraisers in my market bringing the total to about 25. There are usually 3 or 4 who are on vacation or sick and not receiving assignments. It is good steady work; however, remember you are working for a quasi - government agency and they have their quirks too. Recently we had a couple of appraisers quit because they couldnt handle the pressure.

I wish you well, get your application in as soon as you qualify and then wait...wait....wait.

 

[Ron Turner]

Mike, Dont you get mileage in Colorado? I was on the panel in Michigan for 16 years and if the subject was over 10 miles from your office it was .26 a mile round trip. Have been in KY for 10 years and here its $15.00 for every county line you have to cross.Sure is a strange way to figure mileage but it buys lunch.

 

[David S. Roberson]

Been on the VA waiting list for 12 years here; still waiting.

 

[Mountain Man]

8O I guess some has got to die to get approved. They must still be using an Apple IIE for their data base :!: I don't think that I am going to mess with it. Thanks,
Mell.

 

[Don Clark]

8)

Mell:

You should reconsider. Depending on what part of the country you are from has a lot to do with how fast you get on the VA Fee Panel. I first applied in 1986. And, again in 1990. I went on the panel in January 1992. There have been 2 or 3 sizeable additions to the panel since then. If you live in a fast growing metro are you're chances are obviously better than if you live in a rural area where there is little growth and little market for VA loans. Use that as your guide, not what you read here. :wink:

Don

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Don's right! Fast growing areas require more V.A. appraisers...plain and simple. It took me 6 yrs. to get on the V.A. panel. Dover, Delaware (Dover Air Force Base) has a very active V.A. market. I believe I saw someone in this thread take a cheap shot at V.A. appraisers regarding their capabilities. Believe or not, we have computers too!