Mary's Blog

  The survey of over 10,000 appraisers nationwide is in and for Georgia, the Reasonable and Customary Fees for various reports can be found by clicking the link below. The Dodd Frank Bill has stated that lenders and AMC's appraisal management companies need to start paying appraisers usual and cu...

I complete a fair amount of REO foreclosure appraisals for big banks. Names shall remain confidential. The banks typically will ask for a BPO from a Realtor (the same one who will likely list the property) That right there screams conflict of interest to me... They also have an appraisal done. On...

Had to pass this one along! Today, I received an order from an Appraisal Management Company who will remain nameless, a request to complete a FIELD Review Appraisal Report. FEE: $100.00!Turn time 2 DAYS. I of course DECLINED! Most well respected Review Appraisers would not touch that fee and turn...

 Overall the News is Fantastic. Here are the Lake Lanier Sales Stats for the First Half of 2010. Here are the long awaited Lake Lanier Sales Stats for the First Half of 2010. We will compare these numbers against the same period last year as well as to the last half of 2009. OVERALL THE NEWS IS ...

New AMC law read all about it Georgia is the latest to enact new laws that govern AMC's (Appraisal Management Companies) Similar laws now enacted in Tennessee, Georgia and Oklahoma, AMCs operating in each state will be required to register with, and be overseen by, state appraiser boards. The lat...

I know it is frustrating when foreclosures are used to appraise a property, which I discussed in a BLOG before. See Below Link. However, if appraisers are using SHORT Sales, CRY FOWL. Why Appraisers Use Foreclosures  Here is how a Short Sale is Defined: A property sale negotiated with a mortgage ...

Had to pass this one along. Been with Active Rain as an Appraiser for a few years now and I have blogged fairly regularly (number 1 spot in my city and county and number 7 spot - slipped a few spots from #5-of all the appraisers on Active Rain) and then one day I get a call from an Appraisal Mana...

Okay I am going to weigh in on this highly political topic!        Here are my questions to President Obama, Congress, the Senate the House and Nancy Pelosi 1. I used to work in the insurance industry and 2 things are  undeniable facts. If there are more benefits being paid, which the Health Care...

  I have always known the that NAR (National Association of Realtors) was a force to be reckoned with but as an Appraiser I just wanted to personally thank all the Realtors out there that have put their foot down stating that they are tired of deals dying because there are way too many appraisers...

In the last few weeks, we have had a significant number of requests for appraisals due to DIVORCE here in Georgia and many are quite nasty! I am sure finances plays a part, but the reasons for these divorces were varied and wild. If it appears they will wind up in court....I respectfully decline...