I have never been what others would refer to as a "fitness guy."  In fact, I a pretty lazy and not very careful about my eating habits.  However, I recently discovered a great surprise when I joined a gym and started to work out.  

What does an appraiser in the training process have to say about the appraisal profession.  Join us as Dustin interviews Mike Taylor from Austin, TX.  

What do you do when you pull up to the comp and there are people in the front yard?  Do you take the picture?  Are you required to do so?  What does FHA say about it?

I try to see the glass half-full most of the time.  That is not always easy.  Recently, I had an experience with my neighbor that reminded me that we, as appraisers, still have it pretty darn good.  

Issac Peck, Editor of Working RE Magazine, joins us to discuss his recent article:

The Decline of Appraisers

This is a short, informative article that really nails down the problem facing the future population of appraisers and (more importantly) what we can do about it.  In the article, Issac gives a call to action.  Here is the contact information you will need to participate:

Appraisers are encouraged to submit their (concise and considered) comments to the AQB before the March 31, 2016 deadline: Email: [email protected] or mail to: Appraiser Qualifications Board, The Appraisal Foundation, 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005.

As appraisers, we often defer to other professionals (home inspectors, mold experts, engineers, etc) to pass off questionable items.  When it comes time to do the final, do we reinspect?  Can we trust the other professional's opinion?  

Meet Ken; a new appraiser following in his father's footsteps, but not really.  Ken is a forward-thinking appraiser you will not want to miss.  

A question was recently posed by Joan Trice regarding who is responsible for making sure the appraiser is paid Customary and Reasonable fees.  Is it the client?  Is it the appraiser themselves?  Let's explore it.  

Dave Towne ([email protected]) is back to let us know about a little known provision in TRID which REQUIRES an estimate of value from the borrower before the appraisal process takes place.  This could lead to some interesting situations.  

What is the proper way to go about hiring employees and contractors to help in an appraisal office?  Can you hire a Tier III person out of the box?  It is important to not only get the right people on the bus (and the wrong people off the bus), but to put them in the right seats.