Neutral Valuation – Allowing appraisers to provide the service they were built for

Posted by Jonathan J. Miller -Monday, September 5, 2011, 10:16 PM
3 Comments

Last May I gave a keynote presentation at RAC’s national conference in Las Vegas and caught up with many of the best appraisers in the country (my friends and colleagues). One of the attendees was the founder of LiveValuation Magazine, Ernie Durbin, II, SRA, CRP. He asked me to write an article on “neutral valuation”, one of the topics of the speech.

LiveValuation Magazine contains the best, most relevant content to appraisers and the appraisal industry I have come across. It is also a great resource for users of appraisal services.

For me it was an honor just to be asked to contribute to LiveValuation Magazine let alone be placed on its cover as the feature story.

And here is the article (I recommend you go to page 25 below for the full blown magazine w/graphics version) – the topic is something I am very passionate about and hope that forward looking appraisers will get something out of it.

If you want to be part of the conversion, go to the comment thread and share your thoughts.

3 Responses to “Neutral Valuation – Allowing appraisers to provide the service they were built for”

1. Edd Gillespie says:

   September 7, 2011 at 1:57 PM

   I agree fully (as in what’s not to like), but I ask you as a leader to reconsider something the profession is slow to recognize.

   You suggest that appraisers interested in neutrality wean themselves of secondary mortgage market work. I have heard that before and have advocated it myself, but Jonathan I have realized that for many, due to skill or location, secondary mortgage market work is pretty much all there is.

   No doubt New York City and other urban environments have myriad opportunities for the educated and dedicated neutralist. Just remember when you suggest a quatum change in practice you may also be suggesting the appraiser migrate or engage in something he or she is not trained for, and that training in the boonies is not readily accessed.

   This profession is composed of many who could meet the low barriers to entry and now the rules are changing. While we have a responsibility to the profession, the new identity you envision is, well, new.

   Actually the crises is exposing evidence that the appraisal profession hasn’t had itself together maybe forever, but that is a different subject.

   I think we owe a professional responsibility to the less flexible among us to do something other than kick them beside the road.

   I just don’t know what to do with them or, indeed, most of us out here in the boonies. The future is not bright, but from my perspective it would be better to continue to reform lending and demand better appraising from the top down. That would provide at least time for the conscientious appraisers to adapt.
2. BestBidOnline says:

   September 9, 2011 at 6:47 AM

   Congrats Jonathan on featuring on the cover – I follow your posts religiously and just love industry related articles like this one.

   Thanks again!
3. NobleAppraiser says:

   September 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM

   excellent article; excellent series on factual data. thank you.