WorkingRE Magazine Interview: Appraiser Who Brought Down Countrywide By Isaac Peck, Associate Editor The U.S. housing bubble and the corresponding real estate market crash of 2007-2008 brought about one of the most severe economic downturns in America since the Great Depression. The fallout was extensive: banks failed, established companies declared … Continue reading →

WorkingRE Magazine – reprinted by permission Pressure, Subtle Influence and Plausible Deniability Editor’s Note: Appraisers report that despite tough new appraisal independence laws, lenders, AMCs and others haven’t stopped trying to influence the process- they’re just being more careful about covering their tracks.  Fraud expert Richard Hagar, SRA, explains how … Continue reading →

You Only have to Make 700 +/- Decisions in the Next Six Hours by Diana Jacobs It’s a curious time in which the appraiser finds themselves practicing. There is greater oversight with demands for shorter turnaround time. There are appraisal management companies (AMCs) that shop the appraiser’s turnaround time and … Continue reading →

Background The origin of the concept of land as an asset is lost in the mists of time. Ancient Greece adhered to it, and the 8th century Franks featured fiefs and personal vassalage which bound the vassal to their king. In 1066 the Normans took the system with them when … Continue reading →