Yesterday, a press release came out from the Office of the New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo regarding the formation of the "Code", or the New Home Valuation Protection Code, which prohibits Mortgage Brokers from selecting appraisers, prohibits Lenders from using in-house staff appraisers to conduct initial appraisals and further prohibits Lenders from using appraisal management companies that they own or control. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac entered into cooperative agreements requiring them to only use lending institutions who adhere to the "Code." Banks will be required to adhere to this "Code" as well.
I am very excited to see how this "Code" will affect appraisers all over the country. I know that Landsafe, Countrywide's appraisal management company took a great deal of business away from outside appraisers here in Southern California who did not want to accept their guidelines and fees. With gas prices at an all-time high here in Los Angeles, what appraiser can afford to only accept $225 for an appraisal? Don't ask me what kind of car I drive!
These guidelines could really change the way appraisers do business in a positive way. There should be little conflict between appraisers and their adherence to USPAP since the lenders will not be trying to twist our arms to make our appraisals conform to their guidelines and regulations. Another appraiser I know says that appraisers should stay away from appraisals for loan purposes. I think that the "Code" will help appraisers work better with lenders. I also think it will help us do our jobs better.
And for more information about appraisals and appraisers, visit http://www.appraisalgroupsocal.com
Dawn R Walker, Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in the Los Angeles area of Southern California
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