Jonathan Miller

More on Tristar Bank’s Appraiser Shortage Lie to Waive Appraisals

From the Tennessee Appraiser Coalition…

In response to Tristar’s poorly conceived request to let them waive appraisals to save their customers money, falsely claiming there was a shortage of appraisers, the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission and a consortium of…[Read more]

The Second Appraiserfest Trailer Gets Released!

“THIS IS NOT AN EVENT…IT’S A HAPPENING!” November 1, 2, 3 in San Antonio Register now to take advantage of the early bird specials and get all the details of the “happening.”

The video is Phil Crawford’s long-awaited inspirational take for appraisal professionals who largely have been beaten down…[Read more]

New AQB Requirements Remove College-Level Course Requirements from Licensed Residential Candidates

This change in appraiser qualifications is effective on May 1, 2018. It is important to note that the AQB sets the minimum requirements. The 54 states and territories have to decide whether to reduce the standard or not. It is important for…[Read more]

Lori Noble Goes All Twitter On Us In Her Fight For Appraisers

Housingwire’s new issue focuses on valuation – and has as of late – consistently included the appraiser vantage point in their coverage. Thank you Housingwire.

Lori Noble was interviewed by Jacob Gaffney in the current print version, conducting a Twitter interview. Way to go Lori!

First, it was “appraisal shortage” waivers and now it may become “rural appraisal shortage” waivers

Either way, they are both misleading narratives (i.e. lies) to help the many in the AMC industry rationalize not having to pay the market rate and lobby their Congressional representatives.

It has always been challenging to find rural appraisers…[Read more]

Fannie Pulls Back Requirements on Field Reviews

Here’s the first Selling Guide Update for 2018 (h/t to Tom Allen) Fannie is waiving their requirement for field reviews on properties over $1 million.

I have some thoughts on this decision since our Manhattan housing market has a median sales price of just over $1 million. This ruling would have…[Read more]

The Fall Appraiserfest Conference in San Antonio Promises To Be The Residential Appraiser’s Counterculture Answer to The Current Dull and Boring National Norm

As the current president of RAC, I am quite proud to say that our last two annual appraisal conferences have been the best I’ve ever attended in my 31+ year appraisal career and it’s not…[Read more]

Old Guard Continues to Lead AI National Into Oblivion By Not Understanding What Happened in 2017: Jim Murrett

The latest edition of Valuation Review came out this week (I am a subscriber) and the cover story was an interview with Jim Murrett, the 2018 President. The interview quote struck me very hard because it made me sad that nothing has…[Read more]

In the Appraisal World, The Expertise Only Gets Ten Percent of Fee

An Indiana state certified appraiser based in Indiana who is also certified in other states including Georgia did an evaluation of a number of properties in Georgia. The “appraisal fee” was $250 but the AMC (Clear Capital) got $225, and this appraiser got $25 for each evaluation.…[Read more]

The Appraisal Institute Seems Hellbent On Breaking Florida’s Public Trust

As I’ve said many times here on Appraiserville, the efforts by Scott DiBiasio and AI National senior leadership to undermine residential appraisers including those that pay for membership in AI National only to keep their designations – continues to damage the profession.…[Read more]

The Appraisal Question of 2018

The Appraisal Institute is spending heavily to insert evaluations into state laws that confuse the public, dilutes the credibility of what an appraisal is and seemingly no one in their residential membership aside from a tiny sliver of wanna-be insiders or the industry at large, who are facing their own demons. Why?…[Read more]

Craigslist is A Great Way to Find The Best Appraisal Talent on Complex Assignments, Right?

Dave Towne sent me this example of a request for appraisal service on Craigslist which was pretty jaw-dropping:

Certified NY State Real Estate Appraiser (Midtown East)
compensation: $500
employment type: contract

One time gig. Need professional appraisal…[Read more]

Wall Street’s Appraiser Epic Fail

There was an epic Wall Street Journal this week called: What’s a House Worth? Wall Street Turns to Drive-By ‘Appraisals’ (behind paywall) that got the appraisal industry’s blood boiling. Here’s another publication’s interpretation of the piece outside of the paywall and yet another interpretation (I’m in this…[Read more]

Appraiserfest, San Antonio, TX November 1, 2, 3

Well my friends, there is a new appraiser-centric conference in town, and it’s called AppraiserFest. Why would you want to attend AMC-centric conferences that selfishly predict your demise based on the advertisers that have paid to play. Lead by Phil Crawford and Mark Skapinetz, Appraiserfest is…[Read more]

RAC 2018 Conference Announced, Frisco, TX September 13, 14

As the president of RAC and am excited to announce our 2018 conference will be held in Frisco on September 13th and 14th. It promises to be a productive, relevant and fun event.

Founded in 1990, RAC continues to be the premier appraisal organization whose members focus on complex…[Read more]

Lots of things starting to brew in the new year so lets recap last year’s roller coaster ride.

REALITY DISTORTION FIELD: Guess the year the AI National new president’s interview was written?

That all caps phrase is a marketing technique mastered by Steve Jobs of Apple.

In appraiser speak, the effective date of the following press release is in…[Read more]

Dave Towne: Revision to GSE forms coming?

Most of my reports are narrative these days (unless you know of a form to appraise a “dumb-waiter airshaft.”)

But here’s something from Dave Towne (send him a note and get on his essential mailing list).

Just say NO

On a personal note, multiple Wall Street and other large financial institutions have approached my firm this year after they neutered their AMC vendors, requiring that they use our firm for high-end work. We are to be paid our fee and allowed to provide our reasonable turn times. I was told many horror stories by those institutions…[Read more]

Looking back at the appraisal industry in 2017 (catching up edition)

– Appraisers became significantly more outspoken and legislatively active.
– Longstanding chronic problems with the Appraisal Institute leadership and their disdain for residential appraisers was finally discussed openly.
– A massive industry pushback of Appraisal Institute’s…[Read more]

The Fall Appraiserfest Conference in San Antonio Promises To Be The Residential Appraiser’s Counterculture Answer to The Current Dull and Boring National Norm

As the current president of RAC, I am quite proud to say that our last two annual appraisal conferences have been the best I’ve ever attended in my 31+ year appraisal career and it’s not…[Read more]