VA & HUD Appraisals

[Charlotte Dixon]

8)

Charlotte:

If you want to be on the panel, try, try, and try again.

Don Clark

Don, Please read my above post. I've been on the V.A. panel since 1993. I believe you thought I was the belly acher here. My above post attempts to explain to the naysayers that they must do just that......try, try, again. I believe there is a misconception within appraisrs that just because they call the V.A. and ask to be on the panel, or send an application, they will immediately be invited. When that doesn't happen, <u>either females don't get a fair shake, or someone must die, or there's a country club mentality, or there's something else not kosher because he/she was not selected. If this isn't beating a dead horse, I don't know what is......and you know what else it is? "Childish"...... You are correct when you say females have a place on the panel. Remember, my thinking has been in allignment with yours since my first class in 1989! </u> :lol:

 

[Don Clark]

Charlotte:

My remarks were not for you, they were for the nay sayers and belly achers. Guess I should have prefaced my comments better. I am well aware of your career. I was there almost at the beginning, prior to licensing. I have kept aprised of your career over time through CE courses, your son, daughter in law, et al. I am proud to know you.

I have a suggestion for all the belly achers and nay sayers. Why don't you whine to your congressman. Then they can open up the VA panel the way they did the FHA panel and immediately ruin it, cause billions of dollars of losses just like the FHA program. Yow, now theres a way to go :evil:

Ter,

Why not write a letter to the Secretary, Department of Veterans affairs and tell them you need more VA Appraisers in Oklahoma? You also have a congressman and 2 Senators. In most cases there are more VA Fee Panel Appraisers than are necessary for a given area, such as my part of the country. However, VA is undergoing a massive reorganization, and some areas may have slipped through the cracks.

I don't put you in the whiner category, have too much respect for you to do that.

BTW, I was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Went back for a family reunion 2 years ago.

Don Clark

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

There are more than 25 VA appraisers for my county alone! What one needs to look at is the number of VA loans done in the area. Nearly 70% of all loans here are government loans...thus a higher number of VA appraisers. Two new appraisers were added for 2003. Only one VA appraiser for a huge number of counties? No VA loans there. Of course that was in Arkansas...home of Bill Clinton. Guess being in the military isn't a high priority there.

VA has a requirement in this region that their appraisers must have a minimum of 5 years experience before applying to be on the panel. The average waiting period, after application, is 7 years. Minority applicants have a priority and being a woman is considered a minority. If you are a black woman you probably could get on the panel rather quickly. If you are a black woman veteran...step right up. Now if you are a black woman who is a veteran and married to an american indian who owns part of your company....well, you know the drill.

We have had three appraisers retire recently and one who died while on the panel. A couple others quit, couldn't handle the pressure, and one who was removed because he couldn't deal with the lenders. This guy was an MAI and now paints signs.

The hardest part of being a VA appraiser is dealing with very short turn around times. You must accept assignments without guaranty of payment. You can't collect at the door either. Liquidation appraisals are due in 5 calendar days, others in 8 working days. You are also dealing with government employees...most are wonderful to work with but some are difficult. You must do it their way. They are understaffed in most regions, undergoing consolidations too. My region has expanded from two states to 8 and they have reduced their staff to less than half.

Good things about being a VA appraiser.... You will get work regardless of your values. If you are selected, you are considered to be a good appraiser or else you wouldn't get on the panel. Your value conclusions are respected by the VA. It is steady work...depending on your market. Reports are delivered electronically now so less expense in copies and postage. The fees are pretty good, $350 for single family residential.

Ask any lender about VA appraisers...most will say, we don't like them because they are always "low balling" our deals. What they are really saying is...."most are honest appraisers".

I have been on the panel since 1991. My brother, my nephew, and my ex-brother-in-law are also on the panel here.

 

[yvonne dill]

Terrell and Don-

I guess I'm a sap. I understood there were "lots" of VA appraisers in OK. I was told not to bother applying. Supposedly there is a one day class in Muskogee, OK with some woman at the VA ( I forget who) who oversees this thing. This class is by reservation and fills months before. I think Rod Stirman from the board told me this back in 2000. So excuse me if I'm wrong. Anyway, sounded like a lot of runaround, just like everything about this business in OK. It's meant to exclude.

Just called the Tulsa Board of Realtors. Wanted MLS. Was told I would have to apply and be "approved" by the board that doesn't meet until 4-20-03. Fee would be $1200 to start. Oh please. OKC board said pay yer $500 and you're on. BTW I could get on through a member for less money, but the member could cut me off at any moment and with no notice to me. No conflict of interest there.