Is she a qualified state investigator? She can’t be! She’s not even an appraiser! She does not understand USPAP! How can a non-appraiser do that? This is a common complaint. State investigators are not appraisers. So, how can they investigate us? This is a misconception many appraisers have. It is illogical to think this way. Why is that? Because investigators do not appraise, that’s why! Their job is to gather evidence. Investigators do not judge the appraiser. Moreover, investigators do not help the appraiser. What are the appraiser’s main jobs? One is to form the value opinion credibly. For example, proper verification of sales. Another example is a non-misleading report. For example, a clear neighborhood analysis.

So, what does all this have to do with a trip to the moon, etc? Nothing! And how does this tie into a qualified state investigator? Easily! No, state investigators are not appraisers. There is no reason they should be. To investigate an appraiser is not an appraisal! Therefore, why does an appraiser need to do that? So, really a qualified state investigator does that. And remember! The investigator does not care if your appraisal is accurate. Is the appraisal credible and the report non-misleading? Those are what the investigator looks for!