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Appraisals: Costing Us Equity?
Its not just location location in this market. Much more complex issues
drive value of both residential and investment property.
When serious damage is done to an asset class and there is a big
re-think regarding its true
worth, no one truly knows what its worth,
past assumptions may no longer be relevant. So appraisers are shooting
in the dark. Without significant sale or leasing activity, it becomes
difficult to do comps. And looking back is useless, since we know the
data series is completely debunked.
FDIC Lawsuits
The FDIC has taken over more then 200 banks in the last 2 years and is
considering legal claims against anyone involved in a bank failing. If
an appraiser did an appraisal for a failed bank, the FDIC could look to
sue. Many appraisers are concerned that there appraisals may be
considered high in light of all that equity loss. Appraisers are afraid
that they may seen as having fooled the banks or been party to
irresponsible lending practices. The FDIC is rumored to be hiring
hundreds of law firms to pursue professional liability law suits.
How Appraisers Are Adapting
They Are Coming In Low
Extremely low appraisals, using the lowest possible comparables, are
disrupting the housing market. Taking the position, in uncertain times,
that best way for an appraiser to avoid a lawsuit today is to low ball
the appraisal. Play it safe.
This is causing home valuations to drop even further and perhaps
unnecessary so. The write downs in property values are ranging from 10%
to more than 60% and they are impacting performing and non performing
property.There is a concern that existing and legitimate equity is not
being recognized as appraisers over compensate for fear of a law suit
down the road. When you have to refi, as the CRE sector does, this may
mean coming up with massive amount of money just as they step up to wary
banks. Owners who are selling are finding that these low ball
appraisals are causing them to pull property off the markets or sell for
even less.
REsourced
from
www.yourpropertypath.com
You may republish this article, as long as you do not edit and you
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