Thursday, December 21, 2006

What is an "Appraisal"?

View a sample appraisal

A home purchase is the largest, single investment most people will ever make. Whether it's a primary residence, a second vacation home or an investment, the purchase of real property is a complex financial transaction that requires multiple parties to pull it all off.Most of the people involved are very familiar. The Realtor is the most common face of the transaction. The mortgage company provides the financial capital necessary to fund the transaction. The title company ensures that all aspects of the transaction are completed and that a clear title passes from the seller to the buyer.So who makes sure the value of the property is in line with the amount being paid? There are too many people exposed in the real estate process to let such a transaction proceed without ensuring that the value of the property is commensurate with the amount being paid.This is where the appraisal comes in. An appraisal is an unbiased estimate of what a buyer might expect to pay - or a seller receive - for a parcel of real estate, where both buyer and seller are informed parties. To be an informed party, most people turn to a licensed, certified, professional appraiser to provide them with the most accurate estimate of the true value of their property.The InspectionSo what goes into a real estate appraisal? It all starts with the inspection. An appraiser's duty is to inspect the property being appraised to ascertain the true status of that property. He or she must actually see features, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, the location, and so on, to ensure that they really exist and are in the condition a reasonable buyer would expect them to be. The inspection often includes a sketch of the property, ensuring the proper square footage and conveying the layout of the property. Most importantly, the appraiser looks for any obvious features - or defects - that would affect the value of the house.Once the site has been inspected, an appraiser uses two or three approaches to determining the value of real property: a cost approach, a sales comparison and, in the case of a rental property, an income approach.Cost ApproachThe cost approach is the easiest to understand. The appraiser uses information on local building costs, labor rates and other factors to determine how much it would cost to construct a property similar to the one being appraised. This value often sets the upper limit on what a property would sell for. Why would you pay more for an existing property if you could spend less and build a brand new home instead? While there may be mitigating factors, such as location and amenities, these are usually not reflected in the cost approach.Sales ComparisonInstead, appraisers rely on the sales comparison approach to value these types of items. Appraisers get to know the neighborhoods in which they work. They understand the value of certain features to the residents of that area. They know the traffic patterns, the school zones, the busy throughways; and they use this information to determine which attributes of a property will make a difference in the value. Then, the appraiser researches recent sales in the vicinity and finds properties which are ''comparable'' to the subject being appraised. The sales prices of these properties are used as a basis to begin the sales comparison approach.Using knowledge of the value of certain items such as square footage, extra bathrooms, hardwood floors, fireplaces or view lots (just to name a few), the appraiser adjusts the comparable properties to more accurately portray the subject property. For example, if the comparable property has a fireplace and the subject does not, the appraiser may deduct the value of a fireplace from the sales price of the comparable home. If the subject property has an extra half-bathroom and the comparable does not, the appraiser might add a certain amount to the comparable property.In the case of income producing properties - rental houses for example - the appraiser may use a third approach to valuing the property. In this case, the amount of income the property produces is used to arrive at the current value of those revenues over the foreseeable future.ReconciliationCombining information from all approaches, the appraiser is then ready to stipulate an estimated market value for the subject property. It is important to note that while this amount is probably the best indication of what a property is worth, it may not be the final sales price. There are always mitigating factors such as seller motivation, urgency or ''bidding wars'' that may adjust the final price up or down. But the appraised value is often used as a guideline for lenders who don't want to loan a buyer more money than the property is actually worth. The bottom line is: an appraiser will help you get the most accurate property value, so you can make the most informed real estate decisions.
Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Monday, December 11, 2006

The Truth About Using Automated Valuation Models

Lenders and brokers using Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) and homeowners using "free online home values" to determine the value of a property need to know what those results aren't telling them.

1. Whether the house is really there. A computer can't so much as drive by a house to see if it's actually located where it's supposed to be, has four walls and a roof, and really is a four bedroom split level and not a one bedroom shack.

2. Whether unique features of a property might add to or detract from market value. So a computer returns an estimated value of $150,000. Did it account for the sewage treatment station next door? The railroad tracks nearby with trains that blow their whistles every night? The school district? The desirability of its tree-lined street versus the next street over?

3. How long ago the property was assessed. Many AVMs and free online services rely on public assessment records. In many states, for example, assessments may only be required every three years — the value may be nearly three years old in that case. Some states mandate that an assessed value not increase beyond a certain percentage, even if sales activity indicates the property has appreciated far more. When you use an AVM or free online service, you risk a lower value than reality.

4. What makes the comparables comparable. A computer might compare your subject property to another property with similar square footage sold three months ago a quarter of a mile away. Even if that "comparable" property is in a different, less desirable school district, fronts a four-lane, 55 M.P.H. street, and is flood-prone. Or even if the property was sold under duress, such as in a divorce situation, or not at arm's length, such as to a family member. A computer simply does not know all the adjustments that might need to be made to a "comparable" property's sales price.

5. Whether a market is declining. Automated valuations use data from recent, nearby sales. If those sales were completed at the peak of a local housing market, the computer will think the trend is going up. Even if a professional appraiser knows that the overall neighborhood is beginning to experience a downturn. As a lender, don't get stuck with a property that's been overvalued by a computer.

6. Whether there is a conflict of interest. Free online home values are often farmed out to real estate agents in your area, who use the service to get your listing when you decide to sell. The best way to do that is to impress you with their confidence that they can get a higher price for your property. If they tell you your property is "worth" the high end of what they believe they can sell it for, the theory goes, you're more likely to sign a listing agreement. With most things, it's best to "under promise and over deliver" — but the opposite is true when you use a free online home value service.
7. What qualifications, designations, experience and education the preparer of the value has. When you work with an appraiser, you can be confident we're highly qualified, ethical and prepared to complete your assignment professionally and with good judgment. Most of the time, you don't know the qualifications of whoever is behind those free online values, and they couldn't compare to an appraiser's if you did. And if you're relying on an automated valuation, you're cheating yourself out of an appraiser's education, experience and expertise.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Appraisal Myths

Some Myths and Realities About Real Estate Appraisals and Appraisers

Myth: Assessed value should equate to market value.

Reality: While most states support the concept that assessed value approximate estimated market value, this often is not the case. Examples include when interior remodeling has occurred and the assessor is unaware of the improvements, or when properties in the vicinity have not been reassessed for an extended period.

Myth: The appraised value of a property will vary, depending upon whether the appraisal is conducted for the buyer or the seller.

Reality: The appraiser has no vested interest in the outcome of the appraisal and should render services with independence, objectivity and impartiality - no matter for whom the appraisal is conducted.

Myth: Market value should approximate replacement cost.

Reality: Market value is based on what a willing buyer likely would pay a willing seller for a particular property, with neither being under pressure to buy or sell. Replacement cost is the dollar amount required to reconstruct a property in-kind.

Myth: Appraisers use a formula, such as a specific price per square foot, to figure out the value of a home.

Reality: Appraisers make a detailed analysis of all factors pertaining to the value of a home including its location, condition, size, proximity to facilities and recent sale prices of comparable properties.

Myth: In a robust economy - when the sales prices of homes in a given area are reported to be rising by a particular percentage - the value of individual properties in the area can be expected to appreciate by that same percentage.

Reality: Value appreciation of a specific property must be determined on an individualized basis, factoring in data on comparable properties and other relevant considerations. This is true in good times as well as bad.

Myth: You generally can tell what a property is worth simply by looking at the outside.

Reality: Property value is determined by a number of factors, including location, condition, improvements, amenities, and market trends.

Myth: Because consumers pay for appraisals when applying for loans to purchase or refinance real estate, they own their appraisal.

Reality: The appraisal is, in fact, legally owned by the lender - unless the lender "releases its interest" in the document. However, consumers must be given a copy of the appraisal report, upon written request, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Myth: Consumers need not be concerned with what is in the appraisal document so long as it satisfies the needs of their lending institution.

Reality: Only if consumers read a copy of their appraisal can they double-check its accuracy and question the result. Also, it makes a valuable record for future reference, containing useful and often-revealing information - including the legal and physical description of the property, square footage measurements, list of comparable properties in the neighborhood, neighborhood description and a narrative of current real-estate activity and/or market trends in the vicinity.

Myth: Appraisers are hired only to estimate real estate property values in property sales involving mortgage-lending transactions.

Reality: Depending upon their qualifications and designations, appraisers can and do provide a variety of services, including advice for estate planning, dispute resolution, zoning and tax assessment review and cost/benefit analysis.

Myth: An Appraisal is the same as a home inspection.

Reality: An Appraisal does not serve the same purpose as an inspection. The Appraiser forms an opinion of value in the Appraisal process and resulting report. A home inspector determines the condition of the home and its major components and reports these findings.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Friday, November 24, 2006

Appraisal Reviews

The Federal Reserve has recently reiterated that " services guidelines.
Appraisal reviews "should determine whether the appraisal or evaluation is appropriate for the transaction, the risk of the transaction, and whether the process by which the collateral valuation is obtained ensures independence and quality," the Fed says.They "should also indicate whether the appraisal or evaluation report is consistent with the engagement letter, which sets forth the scope of the appraisal assignment."The Fed also notes that "some banks supplement routine reviews with post-funding evaluations of appraisal quality for some of their higher-risk or greater-value transactions as a control to assist in detecting valuation problems."
In addition to conforming our work to the forms and guidelines of our review clients, there are four Fannie Mae forms that are generally used for review services, and we can prepare an appraisal review on any of them. They include an appraisal "desk" review, a "field" review, a "short" form and a "narrative" form. Here at Bennett Appraisals, we are experienced in all types of appraisal reviews, review procedures and the responsibilities of review appraisers.

We understand what makes a quality appraisal and what the most common deficiencies are, especially in our home market. At the same time, we are professional enough to recognize that our competitors in our market are capable of doing a good job! The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) govern appraisal reviews as well as appraisal reports, and you can count on us to ethically evaluate appraisal reports performed by others. Those others may be reviewing our work, too!

In short, here at Bennett Appraisals, you can rely on our independent judgment, because we offer professional, objective, ethical appraisal review services for our clients.Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Monday, October 30, 2006

Assessment Appeal Services

Most localities determine your property tax burden based on an ad valorem assessment of the property's value. Sometimes, as a property owner, you get an unwanted surprise in the mail telling you your taxes are going up, and sometimes it may seem as though your assessment is too high.
Often, matters like this can be resolved with a phone call. However, if after discussing your assessment with your local taxing authority you still feel as though your property was overvalued, a professional, independent, third-party appraiser is often your best bet in proving your case. That's where we come in.
There are as many different procedures for appealing assessments as there are property taxing districts, so it's important to enlist the help of a professional appraisal firm that's experienced and trained in the ins and outs of your particular jurisdiction.

Please note: It makes sense to do your own research before determining whether to go forward with a property assessment appeal, especially before you make the decision to hire a professional appraiser. However, according to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), we are not allowed to take "shortcuts" -- i.e., your research -- and use it on its face as part of our independent evaluation. When you hire us for an assessment appeal, you're commissioning an independent, third-party professional appraisal report. As such we do our own evaluation, beginning to end. If you're right that your property has been overvalued, an independent report such as ours will be even more persuasive than any other evidence you can marshal on your own. But it depends on our ability to do the work independently.

Sometimes, you will have a hearing on your assessment appeal and will need for the appraiser you've hired to testify on your behalf. Be assured that at Bennett Appraisals, we are able to professionally and persuasively testify at appeal hearings. Browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Residential Appraisal Services For The Bellingham Home Seller

HOME SELLER SERVICES

If you are planning to sell your home, it might be a wise decision to make a small investment in a professional appraisal. Unless you study real estate values on a day to day basis, like a professional appraiser does, it's difficult for you to get a handle on real estate values. We aren’t talking about how much you have invested in your home, how much you paid for it, or how much you want for it. We’re talking about the true market value of your home, which could really pay off for you in the long run!

SELLING YOUR HOME FSBO
More and more homeowners today are choosing to sell their homes FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and foregoing the help of a real estate agent. Selling your home by this method can end up saving you a potential “hefty” commission (industry average is 5-7% of the home’s selling price). Plus many FSBO sellers feel that they have more control in the process of selling their home since they’re in essence making all the rules. But selling your home on your own will require a significant amount of "homework" if you're going to do it right. One piece of advice that is consistently given by the experts in selling your home FSBO....Do NOT "Overprice" Your Home! It's very hard to be objective about your own home because of your emotional attachment to it. A professional appraiser is objective and will tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear.

PRE-LISTING APPRAISAL
If you’re working with a real estate agent to list your property, more than likely they’ll provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that lists selected sales in your area as one of the first steps in determining what to set as the “Listing Price". This step is vital if you're going to maximize your profit and minimize the home’s time on the market.

But even if you're working with the most experienced real estate agent, it's probably in your best interest to have an "objective" third-party's opinion of value prior to signing a Listing Agreement. And that’s where we come in. We can provide you with a pre-listing appraisal so both you and your agent have an accurate description of your home's features and a detailed analysis of the most recent and similar "comparable sales" or as they're commonly called, "Comps". In addition to helping you set a realistic selling price so your home will attract buyers, a professional appraisal can:

Be a very valuable negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer
Impress buyer’s with written proof of your home’s condition inside and out
Make you aware of problems and eliminate last-minute repair hassles that might delay a closing
Decrease the chances of unknown problems that cause sales to fall through
Eliminate the wait for the buyer or their mortgage company to get the appraisal done on their own

Many people are surprised when they find out that the market value of their home is much more than they thought, so investing in a professional appraisal actually allowed these people to receive several thousand more dollars than they thought they would when their home was sold. Others have an inflated opinion of their home's value and an appraisal helped them to realistically price their home in order for it to sell. An overpriced home will not attract buyers, which means no offers and no closing and that you have wasted valuable time, money, and efforts.

CONSULTATION
Maybe you feel like you don't need an "appraisal" but you'd still like some help gathering local property and sales data. Our reports help you to make an informed buying decision. We understand the complexities of buying a home and know what you are going through and will do our best to make it easier for you by giving you a high quality, professional appraisal that you can depend on!

When you order an appraisal report from us, you can expect. . . .
Prompt response to your initial inquiry: We will give you personalized information for your particular appraisal need. Just tell us your situation and we will make suggestions. Quick turnaround time: Typically one week or less from the date the request is received. If you've chosen to receive a copy of your appraisal or consulting report via the Internet (EDI), you'll receive it within MINUTES of its completion.

Appraisal and consulting reports formats to suit YOUR needs: When it comes to appraisal and consulting, "One size does NOT fit all!" We offer a variety of report types and delivery methods. Express mail too slow? We can deliver your report attached to a standard email, or notify you of an Internet site to download your report, the MINUTE it's completed!
Quick response to follow-up questions: Our reports are clearly written, understandable, and meet or exceed the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice that governs the appraisal practice. If you have any questions regarding your appraisal, after you've read the report, we encourage you to email or call us!

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valley, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Friday, October 06, 2006

Bellingham WA Estate Appraisals, Bennett Appraisals

Estate Appraisals

Settling an estate is an important and sometimes stressful job. As an executor you have been entrusted to carry out the wishes of the deceased as swiftly and exactly as possible. You can count on us to act quickly and with sensitivity to the feelings of everyone involved.
Attorneys and Accountants rely on our values when calculating real property values for estates, divorces, or other disputes requiring a value being placed on real property. We understand their needs and are used to dealing with all parties involved. We provide appraisal reports that meet the requirements of the courts and various agencies.

Settling an estate usually requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. Often, the date of death differs from the date the appraisal is requested. We are familiar with the procedures and requirements necessary to perform a retroactive appraisal with an effective date and Fair Market Value estimate matching the date of death. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.

All too often, people do not fully appreciate the need to have a detailed real estate appraisal prepared in support of the numbers being used in documents filed with revenue authorities.
Opinions of value used in documents filed with the revenue authorities should be supported by a detailed report as to how the appraiser arrived at his conclusions. Such a report will certainly demonstrate to the authorities that the numbers used are well founded and substantiated.
Having a professional appraisal gives the executor solid facts and figures to work with in meeting IRS and state agency requirements. It assures peace of mind to everyone concerned because we are there to stand behind the appraisal if it is challenged.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valey, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Bennett Appraisals PO Box 5961 Bellingham, WA 98227-5961
Phone: (360) 746-0224 Cell: (360) 990-7296 Fax: (360) 838-0634
Bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Bennett Appraisals Bellingham WA, Using The Latest Technology

At Bennett Appraisals, we utilize the latest in Appraisal technology. We strongly believe that effeciency is of the highest importance to both our business and yours. Here are some examples of how today's technology is benefiting us both:
1. Laser measuring-produces extremely accurate building measurements. Saves time on inspections, translating to better turn around times for our clients.
2.The latest and greatest Appraisal Software, online ordering, online updates of report progress, EDI report emailing with sure receipt verification.
3. High quality digital cameras with SD memory cards.
4. GPS navigation
5. Bluetooth enabled cellphones so we are always available for our clients. Bluetooth allows for wireless headset communication.
6. Wireless internet laptops, for complete appraisal portability.
7. Pocket WinTotal for PDA's with Pocket Apex. This reduces time and increases accuracy by allowing information to be input once into the PDA upon inspection, then connected with the main computer appraisal files back in the office.

Bennett Appraisals serves the following areas: Anacortes, Alger, Bellingham, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Cain Lakes, Concrete, Ferndale, Fairhaven, Geneva,Glacier, Lynden, Mount Baker, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, Sehome, Silver Beach, Sudden Valey, Sumas, South Hill and all of Whatcom & Skagit Counties

Bennett Appraisals PO Box 5961 Bellingham, WA 98227-5961Phone: (360) 746-0224 Cell: (360) 990-7296 Fax: (360) 838-0634
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E-mail: bennettappraisals@comcast.net
Website: www.bennet4appraisals.com

Monday, October 02, 2006

Bellingham Appraisal: 5 Steps to Faster Turn Around Times

Five Steps to Faster Turn Around Times

If you worked with appraisers ten years ago, you know how much technology has changed since then. What you might not realize is that there have been many developments in technology and e-commerce that have improved turnaround times on appraisal assignments. We're taking advantage of them. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speed up the process?

Here are some suggestions.

1. Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
3. Are you letting us know up front any details about the property that might make it unique? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area — for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
4. Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Some homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house and look around and make notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.
Hearing from you — someone they've been working with on their loan — a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
5. Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of your report's status? Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up to the minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.

Bennett Appraisals www.bennett4appraisals.com PO Box 5961 Bellingham, WA 98227-5961Phone: (360) 746-0224 Cell: (360) 281-7289 Fax: (360) 838-0634
bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Friday, September 29, 2006

Bennett Appraisals Now Serving the Bellingham Area including Whatcom & Skagit Counties.

We are a leading provider of real estate valuations for the mortgage lending marketplace. We have a proven track record of reducing lenders time, efforts and costs in managing the appraisal process.We currently service the Greater Bellingham area including all of Whatcom and Skagit Counties
Primary and Secondary Mortgages
Mortgage Refinancing
Employee Relocation
Private Mortgage Insurance Removal
Estate Planning
Divorce Settlement Our investment in training and technology has helped our customers greatly reduce their workload. By offering on-line appraisal ordering, coupled with automatic report status updates and electronic delivery of the final product, we are able to eliminate the run around and phone tag hassles associated with this process. And since this process saves us money as well, we can keep our rates competitive with anybody in the industry.
Short Turn-Around Times
Highest-Quality Appraisal Reports
On-line Status Reports
Electronic Ordering and Delivery
Competitive Pricing Through this web site, you can perform a number of tasks. Ordering an appraisal is just a click of a button away. Or, spend some time and find out a bit more about the appraisal business. The more you know, the better decision you can make. And check back frequently, as our content is always being updated.

Bennett Appraisals
Jeremy Bennett, Certified Residential Appraiser
4 Tumbling Water Ct
Bellingham WA 98229

360-746-0224
360-838-0634 Fax
www.bennett4appraisals.com
email: bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

A Few Good Reasons To Get An Appraisal

REASONS TO GET AN APPRAISAL
Every year, countless people in the United States buy, sell or refinance their own slice of the American Dream. Most, if not all, of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. It has become an understood and accepted part of a real estate transaction. "Let's bring in the expert and make sure we're not spending too much on this property."
But is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other times when the services of a certified, licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? You bet.
PURCHASE OF A HOME
One of the most important issues involved in purchasing a property is developing an opinion of what it's worth so that you can make an informed offer to purchase. A professional appraisal report performed by a qualified, state-licensed appraiser can provide you with an objective, third party opinion of a property's current Market Value. And for the small price of this service, you can give yourself "peace of mind" prior to making an offer to purchase that you're offering a fair price for the property.
REFINANCE OR GET A HOME EQUITY LOAN
If you need to consolidate bills, have a college tuition to pay, or just want to tap into the equity of your home, you'll need a new loan, which oftentimes requires a new appraisal of the property. PMI REMOVAL
Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is the supplemental insurance that many lenders ask home buyers to purchase when the amount being loaned is more than 80% of the value of the home. Very often, this additional payment is folded into the monthly mortgage payment and is quickly forgotten. This is unfortunate because PMI becomes unnecessary when the remaining balance of the loan - whether through market appreciation or principal paydown - dips below this 80% level. In fact, the United States Congress passed a law in 1998 (the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998) that requires lenders to remove the PMI payments when the loan-to-value ratio conditions have been met.
Many appraisers offer a specific service for home owners that believe they have met the 80% loan-to-value metric. For a nominal fee, the appraiser can provide you with a statement regarding the home value. Some will even take the next step and help you file a challenge with your mortgage company. The costs of these services are very often recovered in just a few months of not paying the PMI.
DIVORCE SETTLEMENT
A divorce can be a particularly traumatic experience for both parties and is often further complicated by the difficult decision of "Who gets the house?". In most divorce cases, the Court won't usually force the parties involved to "buyout" the other party's interest but it may however order the sale of the home so each party gets an equal share of the equity. Regardless of the situation, it's a good idea to order an appraisal so both parties are fully aware of what the true market value is.
If the parties want to sell the home, they'll have a better idea of what price to set. And on the flipside, if a "buyout" is the chosen option, both parties will feel like they've gotten a fair assessment.
ESTATE LIQUIDATION
The loss of a loved one is a difficult time in life and settling an estate from a death, or probate, often requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.
Unlike many wealthy individuals, the majority of Americans do not have dedicated estate planners or executors to handle these issues. Also, in most cases, a home or other real property makes up a disproportionate share of the total estate value.
Here too, an appraiser can help. Often the first step in fairly disposing of an estate is to understand its true value. Where property is involved, the appraiser can help determine the true value. At this point, equitable arrangements can more easily be arrived at among disputing parties. Everyone walks away knowing they've received a fair deal.
RELOCATION
We understand the stress involved with an employee relocation. We take great care in establishing a convenient appointment time for the appraisal inspection. During our thorough inspection, we encourage relocating employees to provide input on the positive attributes of their property along with information about any recent sales or listings in their neighborhood that they want considered.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO ADD VALUE
Before you decide to sell your home, there are several decisions to be made. First and foremost: "How much should it sell for?" But don't forget there may be other equally important questions to ask yourself such as "Would it be better to paint the entire house before we sell it?", "Should I put in that third bathroom?", "Should I complete my kitchen remodel?" Many things which we do to our houses have an effect on their value. Unfortunately, not all of them have an equal effect. While a kitchen remodel may improve the appeal of a home, it may not add nearly enough to the value to justify the expense.
SELLING A HOME
Whether you choose to sell your home on your own or use the assistance of a real estate agent, a professional appraisal can help you make a better educated decision when determining your selling price.
Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. It's easy for them to step in and give you the information to help you make your decision. Appraiser fees are based on efforts to complete the report and not a percentage of the sales price. So seeking a professional appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price.

Monday, June 12, 2006

The Advantages Of Getting An Appraisal Prior To Listing Your Home

Pre-Listing Appraisal Services
If you’re working with a real estate agent to list your property, more than likelythey’ll provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that lists selected sales in your area as one of the first steps in determining what to set as the “Listing Price".This step is vital if you're going to maximize your profit and minimize the home’s time on the market.
But even if you're working with the most experienced real estate agent, it's probably in your best interest to have an "objective" third-party's opinion of value prior to signing a Listing Agreement.And that’s where we come in. We can provide you with a pre-listing appraisal so both you and your agent have an accurate description of your home's features and a detailed analysis of the most recent and similar "comparable sales" or as they're commonly called, "Comps". In addition to helping you set a realistic selling price so your home will attract buyers, a professional appraisal can:

Be a very valuable negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer
Impress buyer’s with written proof of your home’s condition inside and out
Make yourself aware of problems and eliminate last-minute repair hassles that might delay a closing
Decrease the chances of unknown problems that cause sales to fall through
Eliminate the wait for the buyer or their mortgage company to get the appraisal done on their own
Many people are surprised when they find out that the market value of their home is much more than they thought, so investing in a professional appraisal actually allowed these people to receive several thousand more dollars than they thought they would when their home was sold. Others have an inflated opinion of their home's value and an appraisal helped them to realistically price their home in order for it to sell. An overpriced home will not attract buyers, which means no offers and no closing and that you have wasted valuable time, money, and efforts.
Improvements to add valueIn addition to “how much?”, there may be other important questions to ask yourself before listing your home. Questions like ''Would it be better to paint the entire house before we sell it?”, ''Should I put in that third bathroom?'', ''Should I complete my kitchen remodel?'' Many things which we do to our houses have an effect on their value. Unfortunately, not all of them have an equal effect. While a kitchen remodel may improve the appeal of a home, it may not add nearly enough to the value to justify the expense.We can step in and help make these decisions. Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in what amount the house sells for. Our appraisal fees are based on efforts to complete the report and not a percentage of the sales price. So a professional appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price.

http://www.bennett4appraisals.com

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Introduction To Bennett Appraisals

We are a leading provider of real estate valuations for the mortgage lending marketplace. We have a proven track record of reducing lenders time, efforts and costs in managing the appraisal process.

We currently service Clark and portions of Cowlitz and Skamania Counties and we will be expanding to Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties later this summer. Here is a list of the appraisal

services that we provide:

*Primary and Secondary Mortgages
*Mortgage Refinancing
*Employee Relocation
*Private Mortgage Insurance Removal
*Estate Planning
*Divorce Settlement


Our investment in training and technology has helped our customers greatly reduce their workload. By offering on-line appraisal ordering, coupled with automatic report status updates and electronic delivery of the final product, we are able to eliminate the run around and phone tag hassles associated with this process. And since this process saves us money as well, we can keep our rates competitive with anybody in the industry.


*Short Turn-Around Times
*Highest-Quality Appraisal Reports
*On-line Status Reports
*Electronic Ordering and Delivery
*Competitive Pricing


Through our web site www.bennett4appraisals.com , you can perform a number of tasks. Ordering an appraisal is just a click of a button away. Or, spend some time and find out a bit more about the appraisal business. The more you know, the better decision you can make. And check back frequently, as our content is always being updated.

Bennett Appraisals, Certified Residential Appraiser(WA)

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Appraiser Ethics

Appraisal is a profession, and appraisers are professionals. In our field as with any profession we are bound by ethical considerations.

An appraiser's primary responsibility is to his or her client. Normally, in residential practice, the appraiser's client is the lender ordering the appraisal to decide whether to make the mortgage loan. Appraisers have certain duties of confidentiality to their clients -- as a homeowner, if you want a copy of an appraisal report, you normally have to request it through your lender -- obligations of numerical accuracy depending on the assignment parameters, an obligation to attain and maintain a certain level of competency and education, and must generally conduct him or herself as a professional. Here, we take these ethical responsibilities very seriously.

Appraisers may also have fiduciary obligations to third parties, such as homeowners, both buyers and sellers, or others. Those third parties normally are spelled out in the appraisal assignment itself. An appraiser's fiduciary duty is limited to those third parties who the appraiser knows, based on the scope of work or other written parameters of the assignment. There are ethical rules that have nothing to do with clients and others. Appraisers must keep their work files for a minimum of five years.

We only perform to the highest ethical standards possible. We don't do assignments on contingency fees. That is, we don't agree to do an appraisal report and get paid only if the loan closes. We don't do assignments on percentage fees. That is probably the appraisal profession’s biggest no-no, because it would tend to make appraisers inflate the value of homes or properties to increase their paycheck. We don't do that. Other unethical practices may be defined by state law or professional societies to which an appraiser belongs.

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) also defines as unethical the acceptance of an assignment that is contingent on "the reporting of a pre-determined result (e.g., opinion of value)," "a direction in assignment results that favors the cause of the client," "the amount of a value opinion," and other things. This means you can be assured we are working to objectively determine the home or property value.
You can be assured of 100 percent ethical, professional service.

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Bennett Appraisals
1695 N 9th Street Washougal, WA 98671
Phone: (360) 844-1195 Cell: (360) 281-7289
Fax: (360) 838-0634 E-mail: bennettappraisals@comcast.net
Website: www.bennett4appraisals.com

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Estate Appraisals

Settling an estate is an important and sometimes stressful job. As an executor you have been entrusted to carry out the wishes of the deceased as swiftly and exactly as possible. You can count on us to act quickly and with sensitivity to the feelings of everyone involved.
Attorneys and Accountants rely on our values when calculating real property values for estates, divorces, or other disputes requiring a value being placed on real property. We understand their needs and are used to dealing with all parties involved. We provide appraisal reports that meet the requirements of the courts and various agencies.
Settling an estate usually requires an appraisal to establish Fair Market Value for the residential property involved. Often, the date of death differs from the date the appraisal is requested. We are familiar with the procedures and requirements necessary to perform a retroactive appraisal with an effective date and Fair Market Value estimate matching the date of death. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.
All too often, people do not fully appreciate the need to have a detailed real estate appraisal prepared in support of the numbers being used in documents filed with revenue authorities.
Opinions of value used in documents filed with the revenue authorities should be supported by a detailed report as to how the appraiser arrived at his conclusions. Such a report will certainly demonstrate to the authorities that the numbers used are well founded and substantiated.
Having a professional appraisal gives the executor solid facts and figures to work with in meeting IRS and state agency requirements. It assures peace of mind to everyone concerned because we are there to stand behind the appraisal if it is challenged.
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Bennett Appraisals 1695 N 9th Street Washougal, WA 98671Phone: (360) 844-1195 Cell: (360) 281-7289 Fax: (360) 838-0634 E-mail: bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

5 Steps to Faster turn Around Times When Working with an Appraiser

If you worked with appraisers ten years ago, you know how much technology has changed since then. What you might not realize is that there have been many developments in technology and e-commerce that have improved turnaround times on appraisal assignments. We're taking advantage of them. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speed up the process? Here are some suggestions.

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
  2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
  3. Are you letting us know up front any details about the property that might make it unique? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area — for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
  4. Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Some homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house and look around and make notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.
    Hearing from you — someone they've been working with on their loan — a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
  5. Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of your report's status? Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up to the minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.

http://www.Bennett4Appraisals.com

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Relocation Appraisals

Time is money. This is never more true than when you or your company need an appraisal of your "old" home when you're relocating to a new area for work.
When you put your "old" home on the market and take advantage of your employer's relocation assistance, you're interested not in the "fair market value" of the home, but its anticipated sales price, typically as soon as possible -- usually not to exceed 120-180 days.But the need for speed doesn't mean the relocation appraisal is a more simple matter than your average lending/mortgage appraisal. Quite to the contrary. It entails special expertise, training and skills on the part of the appraiser or appraisal firm you select.

When we perform a relocation appraisal, we consider recent closed sales but also competing listings in the area as well as pending sales. We offer a forecast of the likely sales price you can rely on, considering the dynamics of the neighborhood at the time of the relocation. All relocation appraisals are reported on the standard ERC Residential Appraisal Report form, the industry's accepted relocation appraisal format.

If you're a relocation services company in need of a local appraiser, look no further.Our professional relocation appraisal service is backed by our superior service, turn time, and knowledge of the market. Whether you're an employee or a service company seeking a relocation appraisal professional, please browse our website to learn more about our qualifications, expertise and services offered.
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Bennett Appraisals 1695 N 9th Street Washougal, WA 98671Phone: (360) 844-1195 Cell: (360) 281-7289 Fax: (360) 838-0634 E-mail: bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Mortgage Applications down

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2006) - The Mortgage Bankers Association(MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the weekending January 27. The Market Composite Index - a measure of mortgage loanapplication volume was 626.8 - a decrease of 5.1 percent on a seasonallyadjusted basis from 660.5 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, theIndex increased 9.1 percent compared with the previous week but was down12.1 percent compared with the same week one year earlier.The seasonally-adjusted Purchase Index decreased by 8.0 percent to 435.7from 473.7 the previous week whereas the Refinance Index decreased by 1.5percent to 1747.2 from 1773.9 one week earlier. Other seasonally adjustedindex activity includes the Conventional Index, which decreased 5.9percent to 924.7 from 982.6 the previous week, and the Government Index,which increased 5.3 percent to 129.9 from 123.4 the previous week.The four week moving average for the seasonally-adjusted Market Index isup 3.3 percent to 625.2 from 605.0. The four week moving average is up 1.0percent to 452.7 from 448.3 for the Purchase Index while this average isup 6.1 percent to 1666.0 from 1570.0 for the Refinance Index.The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 43.0 percent oftotal applications from 42.8 percent the previous week. Theadjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 30.5 percentof total applications from 29.5 percent the previous week.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Bennett Appraisals Serving SW Washington

Bennett Appraisals Serving SW Washington
Bennett Appraisals is a locally owned and operated Residential Appraisal Service.Typical appraisals include single family residences, multi- family properties (2-4 units), and residentially zoned vacant land for mortgage lending purposes.Other services provided are valuations for divorce, partnerships, tax assessment review, estate planning, zoning, employee relocation and cost vs. benefit analysis.www.bennett4appraisals.comBennett AppraisalsJeremy Bennett, Certified Residential Appraiser1695 N 9th St, Washougal, WA 98671cell: (360) 281-7289fax: (360) 838-0634

Why Hire A Technologically Advanced Appraiser?

We all know them. The guys with pounds of silicon hanging from their belts. Every new gadget that has hit the market in the past 10 years has done time around their waist. Call them geeks. Call them nerds. Call them what you will, but by all means, give them your appraisal business. Why? I'm glad you asked.Appraisers are, by far, the most technical agents in the real estate world. By necessity, they have been drawn into the digital world at a pace not seen by their colleagues. The appraisal process is one that lends itself to technology. And technology has paid significant dividends to those appraisers who have invested in it. These dividends are shared with the appraiser's customers, in the form of shorter turn-around times and a much better final valuation report.OrderingLet's start at the beginning. Millions of real estate transactions are processed each year in the United States. Almost all of them require some sort of appraisal. Technology has allowed savvy appraisers to reduce the amount of work their client's need to order, track and receive appraisals. In the past, the primary mode of interaction between an appraiser and his clients was the telephone and fax machine. Clients would send requests via fax, and then often follow it up with a phone call to make sure it was received. Tracking the progress of the appraisal meant more phone calls - a disruption for both the client and the appraiser.But the modern, technologically advanced appraiser has a better method. Using tools like this web site - complete with the ability to order appraisals on-line - allows clients to shave valuable time off the process of ordering and tracking appraisals. Technologies like a la mode's net.X network are advancing this concept even further, giving its users the ability to not only order appraisals, but track their progress all the way until delivery. No more annoying games of phone tag!Data GatheringThe appraisal process is nothing if not a data intensive process. Appraisers spend a lot of their time gathering both specific information about the subject property and general data about the local market and developing trends. Once again, technology has stepped in to help appraisers. In the past, the home inspection process has been the time consuming and difficult. To top it off, appraisers then had to come back to the office and transcribe their field notes into the appraisal file itself. No longer.Today's digital appraiser has several tools that can aid in gathering data in the field. Starting with tools like a la mode's Pocket TOTAL, appraisers are eliminating the duplicate data entry problems of the past. Tools like the Leica Disto Laser meter are making the measurements more accurate. And software like Apex's PocketApex allow the appraiser to sketch the house on the fly. All of this means that the appraiser can get the report done and delivered to the client in a fraction of the time it once took.On the other side of the data gathering coin is the general data. The Internet has revolutionized the ability of appraisers to get quality data in a fraction of the time it once took. Where once an appraiser would spend hours finding the right location maps and then rubbing on decals, the modern appraiser gets his maps with a few mouse clicks, complete with location markers. And flood maps? Likewise just a few clicks away using services like a la mode's FloodSource. Standardized addressing, accurate postal coding, census tract information, are all at their fingertips. This ensures that the final report is as complete and accurate as possible, requiring fewer call-backs and revisions. A real money saver for busy appraisal clients.Report deliveryThe report is done. Now how is the digital appraiser going to leverage his investment in technology to improve the delivery process? Modern appraisers have forsaken the old print-and-snail mail route for a much more efficient electronic delivery system. Utilizing Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) files, an appraiser can deliver a complete, multi-page report, complete with digital photos and maps, through simple e-mail. Now, instead of waiting for the daily mail, or paying for expensive courier services, appraisal customers can simply log into their company email system and retrieve all the appraisals at one time. Without wasting and paper printing the appraisal, it can be routed to the appropriate loan officer or title company in the blink of an electron.More advanced organizations are leveraging a la mode's net.X network to not only order appraisals, but also to manage the delivery process. Before an appraisal is ever delivered, this cutting edge technology reviews the report and ensures that it meets certain guidelines. Have enough comparables been used? Has the appraiser included a statement of limiting conditions? These items can be checked automatically and the appraiser notified of the deficiency without the client ever getting involved. Now, when the final report is received, the client can be sure the appraisal meets all the basic criteria. Once again, costly follow up and revisions are avoided, lowering everybody's cost of doing business.Digital WorkfileIt would be wonderful if appraisers could complete a report, deliver it and never worry about seeing that document again. But one of the purposes of an appraisal is as a legal document outlining the condition of the property at the time of sale. So appraisers must keep their reports for 5 years, allowing them to recall any appraisal at any time to either defend the valuation or to be used in other legal proceedings.Here again, the digital appraiser leverages his investment in technology to improve service. By storing every aspect of the appraisal - notes, sketches, supporting documentation and calculations - along with the appraisal, the professional is able to retrieve that report at any time within the five years and recall just what that report was about. And this data is not stored in boxes stacked 5 deep in some rented warehouse. Instead, the digital appraiser uses technology like a la mode's Digital Workfile to electronically include all supporting documents as part of the appraisal file. These files are stored securely on searchable media, such as a la mode's Vault, where the appraiser can find them in a fraction of the time required in the past. This helps appraisal clients by giving them immediate, virtual access to any appraisal they've ordered within the past 5 years.These are just a few examples of how technologically advanced appraisers are improving the business workflows of their customers. Investing in the right software, services, gadgets and gizmos allows the appraiser to deliver reports quicker, more efficiently and with higher degrees of accuracy. All of which helps keep the appraiser's costs down, and save his clients time and money.
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Bennett Appraisals 1695 N 9th Street Washougal, WA 98671Phone: (360) 281-7289 Cell: (360) 281-7289 Fax: (360) 838-0634 E-mail: bennettappraisals@comcast.net

Greenspan replaced by Bernanke

The Senate Tuesday confirmed Ben S. Bernanke as the chairman and a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Fed said late Tuesday.
A private swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Federal Reserve Board.
The confirmation took place on Alan Greenspan's last day as head of the Fed after helming the bank for 18-and-a-half years.
Bernanke, chairman of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers since June, joins the Fed at a time when the office has been raising rates consistently and the housing market appears to be normalizing or perhaps heading for a slowdown.
The Senate approved the former Fed governor by voice vote after a short debate, Reuters reported. He won high praise from both Republicans and Democrats, according to Reuters.
Bernanke will be sworn in on Wednesday for a renewable four-year term at the helm of the U.S. central bank, along with a 14-year term on the Fed's board.
Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, called him a "solid, thoughtful" person who is well qualified for the job, Reuters said.
"He is erudite, he is smart," Schumer told Reuters. "And he is one of those rare people who has made monetary policy his life's work."
Many supporters, as well as financial markets, have said they find comfort in Bernanke's promises to adhere to Greenspan's approach to monetary policy.
One Republican, a longtime critic of the Greenspan Fed, opposed the nomination, Reuters said. U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky said Bernanke failed to show enough independence on the Fed board and complained the central bank suffered from "group think," media reports said.
The 52-year-old Bernanke served at the Fed for nearly three years before he moved to the White House.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Fed Proposes Guidelines on Non- Traditional Mortgage Products


Fed Proposes Guidelines on Nontraditional Mortgage Products

The federal banking and credit union agencies have proposed guidance on residential mortgage products that allow borrowers to defer repayment of principal and sometimes interest. According to their December 22 release, the agencies are concerned that these practices can present unique risks that institutions must appropriately manage. Included in the guidance is language concerning third-party origination, including that “if appraisal, loan documentation, or credit problems are discovered, the institution should take immediate action, which could include terminating its relationship with the third-party.”

The proposed guidance was issued by The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration. In it, they discuss the importance of carefully managing the potential heightened risk levels created by these loans including: assessing a borrower's ability to repay the loan; recognizing that certain nontraditional mortgage loans are untested in a stressed environment and warranting strong risk management standards as well as appropriate capital and loan loss reserves; and ensuring that a borrower has sufficient information to understand loan terms and associated risks.

The full guidance is available at www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/bcreg/2005/20051220/attachment.pdf

There will be a 60-day comment period on the proposal starting from the December 22 publication in the Federal Register. Since the agencies will jointly review all of the comments submitted, a single submission suffices. This can be done via the Federal eRulemaking Portal, located at www.regulations.gov by following the instructions for submitting comments. Include “OCC” and “Docket Number 05-21” in your comment. You can also visit the OCC Web site, www.occ.treas.gov, click on “Contact the OCC,” scroll down and click on “Comments on Proposed Regulations”; or send an e-mail to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov; fax to 202-874-4448; or write to Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, S.W., Mail Stop 1-5, Washington, DC 20219.