When do you decide to decline the order ?

[MBuehler]

Just wondering where in the process that each of you decides to decline an order. I know that location plays a large part of it, if you receive an order that is not in an area that you are familiar with, and don't have the time to learn the market before producing the report.

We went to a large, older two unit today, and the owner said. "We had an appraiser here last week, but he walked in, looked around, and said he could not find a comp for the subject if he wanted to" Then he left.

Hence, we received the order.

Just wondering, do you look up the property before going and make a decision to decline, or wait until you get there, then decline.

Our office hasn't declined an order since I began working there, other then location problems.

In a few cases, we have informed the client that there are issues, and only a trip fee will be charged in some cases.

Just curious.

Thanks as always.

 

[Artemis Fowl]

When they offer me $1000 to add a third bedroom.

When the assignment complexity goes beyond the edge my comfort level. Sometimes happens after I've put a bit into it...so it sucks.

When I just plain don't like the client's manner.

 

[Lobo Fan]

I decline orders all the time. 4 or 5 today alone. Mostly due to location or a ridiculous turn times. We decline them if the borrower is a PITA when trying to schedule. If they are a problem early they will be a problem late.

Any order where they push for value right away either from the borrower or from the LO. We will decline anything that might get us field reviewed. Bad comps, rural location or any other weirdness. Frankly we are too busy for anything other than cookie cutters. I am at the point where we will soon no longer do plans & specs or brand new houses. The land home things are always a PITA because they always come back wanting more value to cover change orders or cost overruns. The new ones need comps from the builders that I cannot verify properly.

Nope, give me a nice cookie cutter refi with 4-5 model matches in the last 6 months. I gave up on 203K deals months ago. It seemed like those things would never die.

 

[Caterina Platt]

In addition to Artemis' examples, I have one more instance when I've declined an order: when I smell a rat. Sometimes regardless of how honestly we work, it would just not benefit us in any way to be associated with certain situations.

 

[Josh Shapiro]

I decline orders all the time. 4 or 5 today alone. Mostly due to location or a ridiculous turn times. We decline them if the borrower is a PITA when trying to schedule. If they are a problem early they will be a problem late.

Any order where they push for value right away either from the borrower or from the LO. We will decline anything that might get us field reviewed. Bad comps, rural location or any other weirdness. Frankly we are too busy for anything other than cookie cutters. I am at the point where we will soon no longer do plans & specs or brand new houses. The land home things are always a PITA because they always come back wanting more value to cover change orders or cost overruns. The new ones need comps from the builders that I cannot verify properly.

Nope, give me a nice cookie cutter refi with 4-5 model matches in the last 6 months. I gave up on 203K deals months ago. It seemed like those things would never die.

And then we wake up!!!!!!!!

 

[Tom Barclay]

I refuse orders all the time, some days several times a day. #1 reason is that they want me to guarantee the value before doing the appraisal(call if the value isn't there, any value problems call first, call if the value isn't supported, etc. I don't really care how complex a problem is; I refuse to spend two days finding out that their "estimate" is off by $5,000 to settle for a $100 trip fee so they can call Skippy to make their deal work. #2 is that they won't pay the fee up front. #3 Is probably that the "deal" is supposed to close in three days, and they think they can get an overnight appraisal on a manufactured home 30 miles from the closest grocery store in a town of 400 people. #4 is they refuse to pay the fee up front. #5 is they refuse to pay...

 

[Lawrence R.]

I echo most of the sentiments here. But another reason I will decline an order, mid way, so to speak...is when a large material fact has been omitted that everyone should know. Like a house is only 85% renovated and nobody told me. I don't care what is going on, lie once, lie twice. Like old Ray Charles used to say, scratch a lie, find a thief.

Also, remember what my Dad told me--things ALWAYS end the same way they start. Start wrong, end wrong. Get out when you can.

And frankly, don't string the lender along either, just get out of his way as soon as possible, if he gives it to skippy so be it. let skippy get all the shady deals. Sooner or later they will all land back in his lap.

 

[Brian Weaver]

Nothing is a bigger waste of time than appraising for a person who can't seem to sell their property. It always ends up in some preposterous argument whether they think you're too low or too high.

When I focused on divorce work, there were spouses that were so angry that you KNEW that nothing good would come of it. They hated the process. Hated the divorce. Hated you and the horse you rode in on...so it was always smarter to tip-toe away from the rage.

As Jack Nicholson's character in "As Good As It Gets" would say, "go sell crazy somewhere else...we're all stocked up here."

 

[xmrdfghap]

I don't decline orders.

I tell them, up front, that there are no guarantees. They ask for a value, I provide it. That is my job. I collect at the door or they agree to pay regarless of outcome. They get the report. There is no bull**** about comps. there is no bull**** about condition. They hire me to tell them what it is worth. Not to make the deal. Not to meet some UW conditions. They agree to my terms, or THEY decline the assignment.

 

[Michigan CG]

Ditto all of the above...we do few residentials, and normally you can tell within the first two-three minutes of the phone call what you are being asked to do.

The profession will quickly be weeded out of the people who succumb to this with the current events...be aware of what you get into.