Dedicated: Thanks for the reply!!

Michael: I think you are right. I think that is the same mentality that other appraisers share even in a professional sense when doing review work. All of us could help tremendously by policing the profession by doing peer review services. I do a fair amount and get good fees to do it. I think most people are good at heart and want to shy away from being that guy that says anything. We can't be that way and make it as a profession. There are many of us that do legimate and acceptable work. Then there are the ones that do not.

Joyce: Thank you. That is very humbling coming from you. Some of my colleagues here speak very highly of you. Thanks for the post.

Bryan: I actually almost used that in my post. It is something you see quite a bit over on the appraisersforum.com.

RA: Would you be so kind as to share the link to the petition? Thanks for the post.

Benji: Do us a favor, go make your own regression, use it and enjoy. The irony of your diatribe against AVT is that you are missing the boat and you do not even realize it. The person that created that software is an independent appraiser that has been in business for over 30 years. I know for a fact that he has never data mined anything, and has no interest in it. I also know that he is one of the few people that have actually DONE something for the profession. I am sure that you have your own reasons for jumping as you did to an unfounded conclusion. Do your homework before you attack someone that is actually doing something positive.

Great software, I use it often. They also have a great product called the USL documenter. It helps make sure your scope of work explanation is well done.

Ok, so this is supposed be accurate...unless it breaks down geographically to a neighborhood level, this kind of tool is useless. It's aggregating together data from areas (within a given MSA) that won't be comparable with others.

I agree with all the points made. Appraisers have two choices work with the GSEs or don't. It really is a choice. That is why most of my business has moved away from it.

There is no difference between using codes and using the same terminology that each of us has used. Whether we put C1 or good we should be commenting on what those terms mean. The only way this will be misleading is if appraisers either intentionally do so or fail to explain themselves. Most of the grumbling with this is simply professionals not wanting to adapt. This is just one of many changes coming down the pipe.

DIF: Do you live under a rock? http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/newsadvocacy/letrs_tstimny.aspx I understand the frustration, I have it too, but call a spade a spade. There is no sense in the hyperbole, the AI has done many things in the last 2 years to help.

You have to love this email from Leading Edge Appraisals "Dear XXXX, Thank you for your interest in working for our appraisal company! As you know we have not sent over any orders to you because our program was anticipating new governmental regulator changes made in the Financial Reform Bill to increase appraiser compensation. We waited for these changes to take effect in October of 2010, and then on April 1, 2011. While the bill is supposed to be effective on April 1, 2011 there are not any governmental enforcement agencies at this time to enforce the regulations, and interpretation of the law is still under heavy debate. This is the reason that our partnership has been delayed. Leading Edge Appraisals is a licensed and insured appraisal company that has been working hard to make a mutually beneficial relationship with you. We worked very hard to interview and screen the best appraisers we could find, and you have been selected. We were hoping that with these new regulations we would be able to create a mutually beneficial relationship allowing us to pay you $200-$300 per appraisal which is what we had agreed upon. While we greatly continue to hope and pray that the government will enforce “presumption 2”, we have to make decisions based on the current market, and therefore have developed an alternative plan. This new plan requires sacrifices on both of our behalves but also has great potential rewards. Currently, we have clients that have a strong work load in your market area, but have to turndown a lot of work because they are paying less than what we previously stated. Therefore, what we are proposing, if you are interested, is to set you up at 67% of whatever appraisal fee we receive down to a total appraisal fee of $200 which would result in $134 worth of compensation to you, our appraiser. If you aren’t willing to do this in all of the counties you cover, maybe you would be willing to do it in your home county, as obviously you would be traveling less. Remember, this would just be the minimum fee that you would need to agree to accept. Please understand that while we would love to pay you more, which is why we waited over 6 months for these regulations to be installed, we are forced to work in the boundaries of the current circumstances. Should the government enforce their regulations, your compensation will go up accordingly. If you are still able to able to work with us given these new circumstances, please reply and let me know. If you want to narrow your coverage areas to be better able to work under these terms, please inform me of that as well. Our goal is to develop mutually beneficial relationships and increase your business revenues. We look forward to hearing from you and anticipate a great deal of success – together. Sincerely, XXXX XXXXX www.leappraisals.com"

John: yes, I am referring to the state AG.

Don: I have been asking for anyone in VA to share with me these orders. My plan is to do a batch complaint to the Ag's office. I have received several. [email protected]

I was very happy to hear the judges take interest in the case. BIll Raeburn and FNC should be punished for using the AI the way they did to get to us. I just hope the plaintiffs don't settle and put the screws to these guys

I would love to attend this. Patrick and Anthony both present very well. Too bad my education budget is tapped.

George: I told Chuck. He was pleased to hear it. I agree about the quality of the office. Great people there and everyone works as a team. Thanks for the comment.

I know that fee is not a battle cry that we really need to talk about, but Cuomo has helped degrade the quality of valuation due to his support for AMCs. AMCs, at least the biggest ones, use fee as a way to capitalize maximum profit for themselves. They charge 300-450 dollars (in some cases more) and pay appraisers peanuts. The only appraisers that do work for these companies are the least qualified of the industry, as it's the only way they get business. Under qualified appraisers equal poorly developed reports. Here is what Equifax pays for their FHA reports. Keep in mind that FHA requires lenders to pay what's customary and reasonable for the region. Where I live it's 350-400 dollars. Where many of you live it's no less than 350 dollars: The following is the appraiser fee range that are paid for the following products. Single Family-$200-$210 FHA-$245-$255 Multifamily-$340-$350 Drive by-$120-$135 The real kicker is that FHA does nothing to enforce the reasonable and customary fee issue. FHA could care less about the quality of their reports, as they have the ability to develop a minimum fee per region just like the VA does. I would be happy to accept the VA fee for my area to do FHA work. Thanks Mr. Cuomo for providing a playing field that only benefits large corporations. Thank you for enabling AMCs to do to us what Conagra,BPI and Monsanto have done to the farmers. It's real American of you.

"The idea of licensing came about because designations proved to be a failure". I may agree with you if 90% of the appraisers of the time were designated, but they weren't. The sad fact is that just anybody could appraise real estate back then, designated appraisers were a small fraction of the industry. "That propaganda lasted until it was discovered that the majority of appraisers caught in the Savings and Loan scandal were designated appraisers". Could you share your sources on that? Looks like conjecture to me. Thanks for reminding me that I have to pay for my designation every year, it wasn't apparent to me or the other few thousand who have a designation.

Lee: Thanks for the reply. I can't agree more that appraisers should be as involved as they can be. Plugging into an organization establishes numbers and allows for good professional networking.

Melissa: I wish you the best with it. You are getting great education and making your future brighter for it. I am right there with you, I have one class left and my experience review, I am close...

Susan: Well stated. I appreciate your feedback, and you are right: there is a need for all levels of appraisers.

Fred; The difference with you is that you have had the education and I assume you still seek out quality education. I am not sure how the discussion went from designations to the problems with the organizations themselves. I am not surprised, that seems to be the direction most designation discussions go.

Where can I find you at the Niche Report?

GB: No worries my friend. I am glad that you have decided what is best for you and your career. It's not my job to change your mind. I do find it curious that you discount a designation that you have never attempted. I can assure you that the time, effort and energy I have put into just getting to where I am took me a few years. I would suggest you try and take some of the education, it really is the best I have taken. I do wish you the best in your career.