The Yolo Pro: (July 29, 2010 11:31am)

I've got to agree with williamk2v; e-mail is the way to go. Not only do I get more responses that way, I've got a document I can print and keep in my work file AND I can file the electronic copy for easy access next time I use the comp.

Tinna Morlatt: (July 27, 2010 4:17pm)

HoosierAppraiser--As we get more clarification, we will be doing a story about the Chase requirements regarding a print screen of the one line MLS listings. YOU ARE CORRECT APPRAISER'S READ YOUR MLS AGREEMENT AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT VIOLATING YOUR CONTRACT WITH MLS. Do you want to lose the right to use MLS for Chase??

HoosierAppraiser: (July 27, 2010 2:04pm)

In light of the 07/01/2010 email from CoreLogic regarding new Chase appraisal requirements, I would like to encourage EACH appraiser to check their user agreement with their local MLS. Does your MLS allow you to give out this type/quantity of information to a third party?

williamk2v: (July 26, 2010 8:02pm)

My experience is that emails work better than phone calls. I have an excellent response from 85% of Realtors that I contact. I agree with Tinna, the lower priced REOs and flips are the hardest ones to get good information abouit.

Tinna Morlatt: (July 26, 2010 4:49pm)

aprilm---great point! And, if we are all sending e-mails there will be a demonstration to the agents that this is customary and necessary for our jobs. Once the agents understand they will start responding in kind :-D

aprilm: (July 26, 2010 2:06pm)

About 1 month ago I attended an FHA seminar held by FHA in Lake Forest, CA. They said that you did not hold up the report if you could not confirm the sale you just had to have proof that you made the phone call, email etc....they suggested emailing as you have a paper trail. Pretty sure that is the same thing with Fannie and Freddie. Honestly there are Realtors out there that will never get back to you especially if the property is a REO home and they represent many. I have found that it is easier to verify the sale with the buyer's agent on distress sales.

tinna: (July 26, 2010 11:41am)

mhl--love it! Most especially I love the comment about the compost heap of real estate data.

mhl: (July 26, 2010 11:30am)

If you use a botanical analogy might I suggest the word was not stigma but stamen which has two parts: the anther (top) and the filament. So if AMCs were gardeners they would better appreciate the compost heap of real estate data we have to work with.

Tinna Morlatt: (July 26, 2010 9:54am)

ralphrv3--great quote from a reputable site. THANKS!!! Verification of the condition of the financing and concessions for each comparable in this crazy market is imperative!!

JUSTFRANK101: (July 26, 2010 8:36am)

Wake Up one morning very soon and realize you allowed your Profession to slip away! Please Appraisers join the California Coalition of Appraisers. Your Membership goes directly into a fund that will get us heard! Step up Appraisers and Join – Email Now Help Save your profession. membership@cacap.org - 805-241-7770 - The greatest news I received all month was an Appraiser joined the CCAP just so I would quit bugging him!!! Join - PLEASE

williamk2v: (July 26, 2010 8:33am)

I have always taken interior pictures and rarely do I have a problem with tell-tale pictures and artifacts inside the home. The last time I had a problem was with political signs plastered all over the outside of a home. I couldn't very well ask the homeowner to remove them, but I needed the front photo of the subject. So, it went into the report just the way it was.

VIC: (July 26, 2010 7:54am)

We all are careful about including people in our pictures. NOW I suppose we have to be sensitive about the interior shots? Religion, ethnic issues even sexual orientation. You might want to mention the requirement of pictures when you make the appointment. some of us carry permission slips. I carry the OREA article that tells the homeowner that the appraisal belongs to the client and the copy comes from the client, not the appraiser. Same concept. Maybe I will carry the fannie instructions. Thanks B&T

ralphrv3: (July 26, 2010 6:58am)

PG 304-305 of the Appraisal of Real Estate 13th Edition: ..."To verify sales data, the appraiser confirms statements of fact with principals to the transaction, if possible, or with the brokers, closing agents, or lenders involved... ...Referencing public records and data services DOES NOT verify a sales transaction. It simply confirms that a transaction was recorded. Similarly, referencing the source of secondary data only confirms its existence and does not VERIFY the transaction."