Written By: FXF 15 December 2025Quality ratings have always been a familiar part of the appraisal landscape, but UAD 3.6 changes how we think about them—and how we support them. Instead of relying on a single checkbox and a broad narrative, the new URAR pushes appraisers to engage more deeply with observable detail. Quality is now [...]
Important Articles
BY: Francis X (Rich) Finigan November 2024 The AQB has implemented in their Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, a new requirement; all appraisers must complete a seven-hour “Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations” course. Every two-year cycle thereafter, they must complete a four-hour course that revisits the same thematic material. The following information [...]
By: Francis X. (Rich) Finigan 20 June 2024 The photographs in your appraisals and the quality and condition rating are about to be scrutinized by AI. Is this just one more step toward hybrid appraisals? According to Chris Flynn, head of product and strategy at First American Data & Analytics, “Our AI-powered ACI technology solves [...]
Celebrated every April 22nd, Earth Day emphasizes sustainability and highlights the economic benefits of green practices. For real estate appraisers, the rise of energy-efficient properties and technologies, like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, are both a challenge and an opportunity, expanding valuation methods for today’s market. The Shift Towards Energy Efficiency Energy-efficient housing, mixed use development, [...]
Subject line: Increase Your Bottom Line: Diversify and Thrive! Have you noticed a decline in appraisal orders? While at first glance this kind of reduced demand may be alarming, these inevitable changes in the industry may create a lucrative financial opportunity. At the end of this article is a description and contact information that can [...]
Thousands of clandestine drug labs exist across America right now. What happens if you discover a methamphetamine laboratory while acting as a professional in the field? What are the telltale signs that might indicate you are on a property that has recently been used as a clandestine laboratory? On January 18, 2023, HUD reissued its [...]
Short-term rental: Is it a home or a hotel? State appraisal boards are disciplining appraisers across the country for improperly using the short term rental income on the residential Single-Family Comparable Rent Schedule (Form 1007) or Form 216. Timely examples of this are Airbnbs. As the short-term rental market continues to thrive across America, especially [...]
Covid-19 and Hand Washing: When, Why, and How According to the CDC, hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. The following two pages will describe how you should wash your hands to stay healthy. Washing hands is only one aspect of staying safe. Wash Your [...]
Staying safe during appraisal inspection 6 easy steps The appraiser’s work is so important to the financial well-being of America, it can’t be overstated. Many of the site visits that you will be conducting are for home equity loans or refinancing. Many people are using this financing as bridge loans to get them through the [...]
Save this letter in your file; it will help protect you from liability and enhance your professional image. While not typical, there are enough requests for “reliance letters” that they are not uncommon. A mortgage broker may receive a copy of the appraisal report and want to submit it to a “second mortgage” lender, who [...]