USPAP

USPAP Compliance and Desktop Appraisals

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Many appraisers are worried that a so-called desktop appraisal will not be USPAP compliant if a third party to inspects and/or photographs the subject property.

USPAP does not make an issue of who inspects the property, nor who photographs it. USPAP does not require the appraiser to inspect the subject property. Nor does USPAP require the appraiser to photograph the subject property or the comparables. USPAP requires the appraiser to disclose the extent of the inspection of the subject property, which includes no inspection at all. Further, USPAP makes no mention of the need to include photographs of the subject as part of the formation of a credible value opinion. Both these requirements are a function of lender requirements, not USPAP.

Fannie Mae requires the appraiser to inspect the subject property, as well as to inspect the comparable property from at least the road in front of the it (assuming that’s possible). However, Fannie Mae has no requirements the appraiser take these photographs. In other words, a contractor the appraiser hires to take photographs could do this and the report would still be fully Fannie Mae, as well as USPAP, compliant.

An individual lender may require the appraiser to take the subject and comparable photographs him- or herself. If the appraiser agrees to this condition, then the appraiser has no choice but to do so. However, the key point here is that the appraiser personally taking the photographs of the subject and/or the comparables is a lender requirement, not a requirement of USPAP, and not necessarily a requirement of Fannie Mae.

Therefore, under certain conditions, an appraiser doing a desktop appraisal is perfectly USPAP compliant.  Providing photos is not significant appraisal assistance. The appraiser is under no ethical obligation to disclose the photographer’s name, nor the extent of his/her assistance.

Original Article Here

 

CONDUCT:

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CONDUCT:

An appraiser must perform assignments with impartiality, objectivity, and independence, and without accommodation of personal interests.

An appraiser:

• must not perform an assignment with bias;

• must not advocate the cause or interest of any party or issue;

• must not accept an assignment that includes the reporting of predetermined opinions and conclusions;

• must not misrepresent his or her role when providing valuation services that are outside of appraisal practice;11

• must not communicate assignment results with the intent to mislead or to defraud;

• must not use or communicate a report or assignment results known by the appraiser to be misleading or fraudulent;

• must not knowingly permit an employee or other person to communicate a report or assignment results that are misleading or fraudulent;

• must not use or rely on unsupported conclusions relating to characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, familial status, age, receipt of public assistance income, handicap, or an unsupported conclusion that homogeneity of such characteristics is necessary to maximize value;

• must not engage in criminal conduct;

• must not willfully or knowingly violate the requirements of the RECORD KEEPING RULE; and

• must not perform an assignment in a grossly negligent manner.

The Narrative Appraisal Report

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With a narrative style, the reporter does have more flexibility in the structure of the appraisal report and more flexibility in how the information is presented.

But even still, there is a method to the madness of the narrative format, and generally speaking, it follows this format: the first part of the report is the introductory part. The second part is the part where the appraisal problem is identified, discussed, and presented. The data is presented, and then analyses and the conclusions are presented. Finally the addenda is presented, which contains any and all supporting information.

Top Ten Reasons Why It Is Great To Be an Appraiser

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appraisal, appraiser, stamford, ct
Top ten reasons why it is great to be an appraiser:
1. Dazzle your friends with your knowledge of external obsolescence.
2. Enjoy the wonderful world of rats, bats, and spiders.
3. Join the profession blamed for the collapse of the financial world.
4. See places in people’s houses that usually require a search warrant to access.
5. Arouse the suspicion of an entire neighborhood when inspecting comparable sales.
6. Get a chance to irritate annoying real estate salespeople.
7. Walk around holding a clipboard just like “Skipper” at the Jiffy Lube.
8. Spend hours researching comps to justify the market value of a property you decided on when you pulled into the driveway.
9. Find out that some people really do hang black velveteen pictures of Elvis in their living room.
10. Be one of a handful of people who know that USPAP is not a medical term.”

By Kimberly Tanzer-Schneider‎
Chino Hills, CA •

 

USPAP Standard 1-6

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Standards Rule 1-6

In developing a real property appraisal, an appraiser must:

(a)

 reconcile the quality and quantity of data available and analyzed within the approaches used; and

(b)

 reconcile the applicability or suitability of the approaches used to arrive at the value conclusion(s).

Comment: See the Comments to Standards Rules 2-2(a)(viii), 2-2(b)(viii), and 2-2(c)viii) for corresponding reporting requirements.

5.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9 (SMT-9), Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

6.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 9 (SMT-9), Identification of Intended Use and Intended Users.

7.

See Advisory Opinion 19, Unacceptable Assignment Conditions in Real Property Appraisal Assignments. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

8.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 6, Reasonable Exposure Time in Real Property and Personal Property Market Value Opinions. See also Advisory Opinion 7, Marketing Time Opinions, and Advisory Opinion 22, Scope of Work in Market Value Appraisal Assignments, Real Property. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

9.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 3, Retrospective Value Opinions, and Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 4, Prospective Value Opinions.

10.

See Advisory Opinion 2, Inspection of Subject Property, and Advisory Opinion 23, Identifying the Relevant Characteristics of the Subject Property of a Real Property Appraisal Assignment. References to the Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

11.

See Advisory Opinion 17, Appraisals of Real Property with Proposed Improvements. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

12.

See Advisory Opinion 28, Scope of Work Decision, Performance, and Disclosure, and Advisory Opinion 29, An Acceptable Scope of Work. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

13.

See Statement on Appraisal Standards No. 2, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis.

14.

See Advisory Opinion 24, Normal Course of Business. References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

15.

See Advisory Opinion 1, Sales History.  References to Advisory Opinions are for guidance only and do not incorporate Advisory Opinions into USPAP.

Original content was published in The Appraisal Foundation site.

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Contact C.R.E.A.

Email: info@CompleteREA.com

Phone: +1 203 858 6727

Complete Real Estate Answers, Inc.
453 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903

Nana G. Smith, Proprietor

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USPAP Standard Rule 1-5

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Standards Rule 1-5

When the value opinion to be developed is market value, an appraiser must, if such information is available to the appraiser in the normal course of business: 14

(a)

 analyze all agreements of sale, options, and listings of the subject property current as of the effective date of the appraisal; and

(b)

 analyze all sales of the subject property that occurred within the three (3) years prior to the effective date of the appraisal. 15

Comment: See the Comments to Standards Rules 2-2(a)(viii), 2-2(b)(viii), and 2-2(c)(viii) for corresponding reporting requirements relating to the availability and relevance of information.

Original content was published in The Appraisal Foundation site.

—-

Contact C.R.E.A.

Email: info@CompleteREA.com

Phone: +1 203 858 6727

Complete Real Estate Answers, Inc.
453 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903

Nana G. Smith, Proprietor

Web & Blog: CompleteREA.com (you are here)
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USPAP Standard Rule 1-4

NanaGSmith 1 Comment

 

Standards Rule 1-4

In developing a real property appraisal, an appraiser must collect, verify, and analyze all information necessary for credible assignment results.

(a)

 When a sales comparison approach is necessary for credible assignment results, an appraiser must analyze such comparable sales data as are available to indicate a value conclusion.

(b)

When a cost approach is necessary for credible assignment results, an appraiser must:

(i)

develop an opinion of site value by an appropriate appraisal method or technique;

(ii)

analyze such comparable cost data as are available to estimate the cost new of the improvements (if any); and

(iii)

analyze such comparable data as are available to estimate the difference between the cost new and the present worth of the improvements (accrued depreciation).

(c)

 When an income approach is necessary for credible assignment results, an appraiser must:

(i)

analyze such comparable rental data as are available and/or the potential earnings capacity of the property to estimate the gross income potential of the property;

(ii)

analyze such comparable operating expense data as are available to estimate the operating expenses of the property;

(iii)

analyze such comparable data as are available to estimate rates of capitalization and/or rates of discount; and

(iv)

base projections of future rent and/or income potential and expenses on reasonably clear and appropriate evidence. 13 

Comment: In developing income and expense statements and cash flow projections, an appraiser must weigh historical information and trends, current supply and demand factors affecting such trends, and anticipated events such as competition from developments under construction.

(d)

 When developing an opinion of the value of a leased fee estate or a leasehold estate, an appraiser must analyze the effect on value, if any, of the terms and conditions of the lease(s).

(e)

 When analyzing the assemblage of the various estates or component parts of a property, an appraiser must analyze the effect on value, if any, of the assemblage.  An appraiser must refrain from valuing the whole solely by adding together the individual values of the various estates or component parts.

Comment: Although the value of the whole may be equal to the sum of the separate estates or parts, it also may be greater than or less than the sum of such estates or parts. Therefore, the value of the whole must be tested by reference to appropriate data and supported by an appropriate analysis of such data.

A similar procedure must be followed when the value of the whole has been established and the appraiser seeks to value a part. The value of any such part must be tested by reference to appropriate data and supported by an appropriate analysis of such data.

(f)

 When analyzing anticipated public or private improvements, located on or off the site, an appraiser must analyze the effect on value, if any, of such anticipated improvements to the extent they are reflected in market actions.

(g)

 When personal property, trade fixtures, or intangible items are included in the appraisal, the appraiser must analyze the effect on value of such non-real property items.

Comment: When the scope of work includes an appraisal of personal property, trade fixtures or intangible items, competency in personal property appraisal (see STANDARD 7) or business appraisal (see STANDARD 9) is required. 

Original content was published in The Appraisal Foundation site.

—-

Contact C.R.E.A.

Email: info@CompleteREA.com

Phone: +1 203 858 6727

Complete Real Estate Answers, Inc.
453 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903

Nana G. Smith, Proprietor

Web & Blog: CompleteREA.com (you are here)
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USPAP Standard Rule 1-3

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Standards Rule 1-3

When necessary for credible assignment results in developing a market value opinion, an appraiser must:

(a)

 identify and analyze the effect on use and value of existing land use regulations, reasonably probable modifications of such land use regulations, economic supply and demand, the physical adaptability of the real estate, and market area trends; and

Comment: An appraiser must avoid making an unsupported assumption or premise about market area trends, effective age, and remaining life.

(b)

 develop an opinion of the highest and best use of the real estate.

Comment: An appraiser must analyze the relevant legal, physical, and economic factors to the extent necessary to support the appraisers highest and best use conclusion(s).

Original content was published in The Appraisal Foundation site.

—-

Contact C.R.E.A.

Email: info@CompleteREA.com

Phone: +1 203 858 6727

Complete Real Estate Answers, Inc.
453 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903

Nana G. Smith, Proprietor

Web & Blog: CompleteREA.com (you are here)
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USPAP Standard Rule 1-2

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Standards Rule 1-2

In developing a real property appraisal, an appraiser must:

(a)

 identify the client and other intended users; 5

(b)

 identify the intended use of the appraisers opinions and conclusions; 6

Comment: An appraiser must not allow the intended use of an assignment or a clients objectives to cause the assignment results to be biased. 7

(c)

 identify the type and definition of value and, if the value opinion to be developed is market value, ascertain whether the value is to be the most probable price:

(i)

in terms of cash; or

(ii)

in terms of financial arrangements equivalent to cash; or

(iii)

in other precisely defined terms; and

(iv)

if the opinion of value is to be based on non-market financing or financing with unusual conditions or incentives, the terms of such financing must be clearly identified and the appraisers opinion of their contributions to or negative influence on value must be developed by analysis of relevant market data;

Comment: When developing an opinion of market value, the appraiser must also develop an opinion of reasonable exposure time linked to the value opinion. 8

(d)

 identify the effective date of the appraisers opinions and conclusions 9

(e)

 identify the characteristics of the property that are relevant to the type and definition of value and intended use of the appraisal, 10 including:

(i)

its location and physical, legal, and economic attributes;

(ii)

the real property interest to be valued;

(iii)

any personal property, trade fixtures, or intangible items that are not real property but are included in the appraisal;

(iv)

any known easements, restrictions, encumbrances, leases, reservations, covenants, contracts, declarations, special assessments, ordinances, or other items of a similar nature; and

(v)

whether the subject property is a fractional interest, physical segment, or partial holding;

Comment on (i)(v): The information used by an appraiser to identify the property characteristics must be from sources the appraiser reasonably believes are reliable.

An appraiser may use any combination of a property inspection and documents, such as a physical legal description, address, map reference, copy of a survey or map, property sketch, or photographs, to identify the relevant characteristics of the subject property.

When appraising proposed improvements, an appraiser must examine and have available for future examination, plans, specifications, or other documentation sufficient to identify the extent and character of the proposed improvements. 11

Identification of the real property interest appraised can be based on a review of copies or summaries of title descriptions or other documents that set forth any known encumbrances.

An appraiser is not required to value the whole when the subject of the appraisal is a fractional interest, a physical segment, or a partial holding.

(f)

 Identify any extraordinary assumptions necessary in the assignment;

Comment: An extraordinary assumption may be used in an assignment only if:

  • it is required to properly develop credible opinions and conclusions;

  • the appraiser has a reasonable basis for the extraordinary assumption;

  • use of the extraordinary assumption results in a credible analysis; and

  • the appraiser complies with the disclosure requirements set forth in USPAP for extraordinary assumptions.

(g)

identify any hypothetical conditions necessary in the assignment.
Comment: A hypothetical condition may be used in an assignment only if:

  • use of the hypothetical condition is clearly required for legal purposes, for purposes of reasonable analysis, or for purposes of comparison;

  • use of the hypothetical condition results in a credible analysis; and

  • the appraiser complies with the disclosure requirements set forth in USPAP for hypothetical conditions.

(h)

determine the scope of work necessary to produce credible assignment results in accordance with the SCOPE OF WORK RULE. 12

Original content was published in The Appraisal Foundation site.

—-

Contact C.R.E.A.

Email: info@CompleteREA.com

Phone: +1 203 858 6727

Complete Real Estate Answers, Inc.
453 Webbs Hill Road
Stamford, CT 06903

Nana G. Smith, Proprietor

Web & Blog: CompleteREA.com (you are here)
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USPAP Standards Rule 1-1

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Standards Rule 1-1

In developing a real property appraisal, an appraiser must:

(a)

be aware of, understand, and correctly employ those recognized methods and techniques that are necessary to produce a credible appraisal;

Comment: This Standards Rule recognizes that the principle of change continues to affect the manner in which appraisers perform appraisal services. Changes and developments in the real estate field have a substantial impact on the appraisal profession. Important changes in the cost and manner of constructing and marketing commercial, industrial, and residential real estate as well as changes in the legal framework in which real property rights and interests are created, conveyed, and mortgaged have resulted in corresponding changes in appraisal theory and practice. Social change has also had an effect on appraisal theory and practice. To keep abreast of these changes and developments, the appraisal profession is constantly reviewing and revising appraisal methods and techniques and devising new methods and techniques to meet new circumstances. For this reason, it is not sufficient for appraisers to simply maintain the skills and the knowledge they possess when they become appraisers. Each appraiser must continuously improve his or her skills to remain proficient in real property appraisal.

(b)

not commit a substantial error of omission or commission that significantly affects an appraisal; and

Comment: An appraiser must use sufficient care to avoid errors that would significantly affect his or her opinions and conclusions. Diligence is required to identify and analyze the factors, conditions, data, and other information that would have a significant effect on the credibility of the assignment results.

(c)

 not render appraisal services in a careless or negligent manner, such as by making a series of errors that, although individually might not significantly affect the results of an appraisal, in the aggregate affects the credibility of those results.

Comment: Perfection is impossible to attain, and competence does not require perfection. However, an appraiser must not render appraisal services in a careless or negligent manner. This Standards Rule requires an appraiser to use due diligence and due care.

 
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