[This is Part 3 of a series on Appraisal Modernization] “Appraisal modernization” is a crisp way to describe needed change. But what is really needed? To consider this question, in part 3, we must look at underlying motive. If we only look at the surface solution stuff, like “hybrid appraisals” we may be distracted from […]
In Part IV, we continue our quest for modernization of appraisal. In Part I, we clarified that an appraisal is an opinion. We figured out that opinions don’t modernize well! We also saw that market price may or may not be true value. And that clients of all types need more than a historic point […]
What is “Appraisal modernization”? (This is part 5 in an ongoing series on Appraisal Modernization. Part 1 starts here.) The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is seeking input to “create a more streamlined and accurate collateral valuation process.” It also wisely recognizes that new regulations “could have negative unintended consequences.” Said director Mark Calabria. While […]
The FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) wants input on modernization in the world of housing finance. A big change. Human response to change is – resistance. A natural human first reaction is anger. Change is first seen as a threat. “Who are they to disturb my nice comfy world?” That threat of loss triggers us. […]
For modernization, we must note how coarse are the choices available to the loan originator: AVM, appraisal, hybrid, waiver, evaluation. Each choice involves different, but pre-set steps. There is little flexibility. It is not a continuum of analytical depth. To compare valuation systems to each other, we must look at the parts of the analysis, […]
How about “loan conditions”? Clients only need a value in order to quantify risk. Is this scary? Editor’s Note: This post is an intersection of Modernization and Risk. There are only three uses for knowing value: 1) collateral loss, 2) investment gain, 3) equitability. Historical value may only be relevant to #3. Loss or gain […]
I was curious about what is “critical race theory”. I didn’t understand what it was about. The Sunday paper article – yes, I still read the morning newspaper every morning . . . seemed to summarize CRT and the oblong political football it seems to have become. Why critical? Why Theory? And what does this […]
We have heard a lot about “modernizing” the appraisal process, particularly from the GSE’s (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). What is clear, is that the path is not clear. The GSEs, pressing for an improved valuation product, are in a difficult situation. On one hand, they are supposed to cooperate. On the other hand, they […]
Modernized Appraisal is a necessary part of coming lending regulation. Some think old methods are just fine. Others think advanced quantitative methods are necessary. What to do? Most of us started out learning about things like median, mean, maximum, minimum, and even standard deviation. “Descriptive statistics” they called it. Our teachers also showed us pretty […]
Modernization means bring in modern methods. What are they? Why aren’t they here? Is it really that hard? We have big financial resources. We have motive. We have huge organizations in place. And we have regulatory clout! Appraisal is just one type of valuation, done by super-regulated, licensed appraisers. Competing valuation products, like AVMs (Automated […]
The word “modernization” has a meaning different from what I thought. It seems to depend on who is using the word. To me, it just meant “get with it!” To our GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), it means something special. The dictionary definitions and explanations focus on the social and even political aspects of […]