The State of Pennsylvania has filed a class action law suit against some of the biggest banks and financial institutions in the country. The claim is these companies conspired to fix the prices on almost $500 billion in bonds issued by Fannie and Freddie over a mere 5 year period from 2009-2014. The named defendants… Read More »
As appraisers, we are at risk for dangers. Be it unsafe property conditions or our exposure to others that are watching… A recent robbery attempt in Richmond, VA resulted in injuries of two Habitat for Humanity employees. VaCAP encourages you to be aware of your surroundings when out in the field, lock the door behind… Read More »
Another Mueller Report has surfaced…. The report is a Mueller REO Hybrid Appraisal Report and it was given to an appraiser as a sample. This one raises more questions than the last one! The photos from the property inspection do not tell the appraiser one thing. The photos are dark and the repairs the inspector… Read More »
Is the Welcome Mat Down and the Door Opened Wide for Fraud? “What Appraisers Need to Know about Property Data Collection” is a topic of discussion in the latest Fannie Mae Newsletter. The article describes how property data is being collected and being sent to Fannie Mae to determine the type of valuation that is… Read More »
The information is on the website… They could have picked up the phone and called… They could have sent an email… They could have sent a fax… Did They? A recruiter for Mueller Services, Inc. (Mueller Reports) contacted a VaCAP member about joining their team as a W-2 employee to complete bifurcated appraisals. Our… Read More »
The decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has been released to the public. ” For the foregoing reasons, the petition is DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.” The way we understand the next step, the case will go back as an adminstrative proceeding through the FTC, See the nine page decision: http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/18/18-60291-CV0.pdf VaCAP… Read More »
The Consumer is Being Feed Yet Another Lie! Remember when we heard an Appraisal Waiver will save the borrower money? Do you recall all those videos from loan officers and mortgage companies encouraging borrowers to obtain an appraisal waiver to save them money? News Flash – they lied! But you all ready knew that. Well, … Read More »
VaCAP has learned the North Carolina Appraisal Board has officially suspended the license of CoesterVMS. The Board cited 7 complaints in which CoesterVMS failed to respond. The CoesterVMS Surety Bond was previously cancelled in North Carolina on 12/31/2018 and the claims against the bond exceed the face amount. What is the point of suspending CoesterVMS’s… Read More »
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have denied the request for a public hearing on raising the appraisal minimum threshold for residential real estate transactions from $250,000 to $400,000. See the “agencies” rejection letter here. The American Society of… Read More »
VaCAP President Pat Turner was quoted in a syndicated article by Ken Harney. The article compares the accuracy of Zillow and Redfin’s automated valuation models. Now we all know a licensed appraiser is the best source of an accurate value, but we must be honest, AVM’s are being used each and every day. VaCAP encourages… Read More »