The Appraisal Update: The Official Podcast of Appraiser eLearning

Bryan discusses the brand-new FAQ from Fannie Mae with a representative of Fannie Mae, Mr. Bryan Swartwood III. We dive deep into the just published July 2022 FAQ, which can be found at the following link:   https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/30266/display Listen in as the two Bryans highlight the questions and also dive into some questions that aren't on the sheet. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our...

Our valuation team recently had a drive-by assignment and was prohibited from interviewing the property owner as it was in default services. There was little information available. What we could find provided conflicting property characteristics. Pressure continued from the AMC and they never provided what we requested. Listen in as Bryan pulls in two administrators from his team to discuss how th...

Josh Walitt, owner and lead consultant with Walitt Solutions, joins Bryan to discuss the AARO (Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials) conference and the things they learned that will impact veterans, trainees, and aspiring appraisers.  🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:  /appraiserelearning ✅ GET your APPRAISER CE here: appraiserelearning.com 🔥 STAY INFORMED wit...

Host Bryan Reynolds talks about the Competency Rule for appraisers. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:  /appraiserelearning ✅ GET your APPRAISER CE here: appraiserelearning.com 🔥 STAY INFORMED with daily news and updates on The Appraisal Buzz: appraisalbuzz.com 📱 Follow us on socials: AeL's Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/appraiserelearning/ AeL's Instagr...

Bryan Reynolds,  trainee appraisers Sierra Alden and Kelsey Randall, and supervisory appraiser Pat Felvey talk about new events for aspiring appraisers, trainees, and supervisors at appraisal conferences. They offer a play-by-play of trainee events at the most recent Appraisal Summit and Acts Conference and dive into what’s ahead for future events.  🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch the...

Tim Wilmath, a Florida Certified General Real Property Appraiser, transitioned from an independent appraiser to the assessor’s office thirty years ago. He is now stepping back into his former role as a boots-on-the-ground appraiser. Listen to his take on how things have changed in the profession over the last three decades. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:  /appraiserel...

Bryan sits down with Lisa Desmarais, SRA Vice President, Appraisal Issues of The Appraisal Foundation to discuss the current edition of USPAP 2020-2021, which has been extended through 2022, at least. They dive into the current 7-Hour USPAP Update Course, exposure drafts (including the third exposure draft of USPAP), and The Appraisal Foundation's weekly podcast, "Appraiser Talk."...

Host Bryan Reynolds and his guest Dave Towne dig deeper into the continuing need for actual human appraisers doing traditional appraisals — including in-person inspections and complex analyses — despite the proliferation of hybrid and desktop appraisals. And he suggests some tangible ways appraisers can adapt to new conditions in the marketplace, become more efficient, and make themselves ever mor...

Bryan brings in Dave Towne to discuss his recent newsletter article, " Appraisal ‘Reimaging.’" It's about how we can use existing tech to speed up our traditional appraisal processes  — and remain essential players in a changing real estate industry. Listen in as Bryan and Dave dig into hot topics like ANSI,  desktop and hybrid appraisals, the requirement to inspect neighborhoods, a...

In our HUNDREDTH(!!) episode, Bryan celebrates by talking to a new listener who happens to be an employee. Her dad, a chemist, is now interested in the appraisal profession after hearing more of what his daughter is doing. She recommended he start listening to this podcast to learn more about the appraisal profession.  One night, her husband visited her mom and dad and has since begun listening as...

Bryan's guest is Timothy Evans, SRA. Tim shares his background and his appraisal experience as well as how he has diversified his appraisal office. He stays busy, and many of the services he provides are considered “interest rate safe." In other words, if the rates go up he should still have plenty of work. Listen in to learn more about this special listener.  🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube...

Bryan has big news!  But before sharing the big news, Bryan talks to a new listener after receiving a nice email.  Have you ever binged watched a TV or Netflix series? What about a podcast? Timothy Evans, SRA says he did just that with my podcast. Bryan makes a surprise call to this new fan to talk about it.  The big news comes after a quick chat with appraiser Tim. Here is a hint……..ANSI Roadshow...

Judging from the emails that have been rolling in, some appraisers are not at all happy with Fannie Mae’s recent decision to change their appraisal guidelines regarding measurement.  In case you missed it: Effective April 1, 2022, according to Fannie Mae, “Appraisers must follow the 2021 ANSI Square Footage-Method for Calculating - ANSI Z765-2021- when measuring, calculating and reporting the gros...

Do we all need an attitude adjustment for the New Year? Someone much smarter than I am once said, “Things aren’t as bad as you think.” That said, the opposite is likely also true: things aren’t as good as you might think. Either way, we as humans could do a whole lot better at appreciating what we have. Complaining comes easy.  When we receive a revision request, we prepare for a fight. Could we c...

Do they have a bag full of Christmas goodies for appraisers? Well, they DO have something coming to us. Or at us, depending on your point of view. Bryan talks about some big changes Fannie Mae is sending our way regarding measurement standards. He concludes with a big THANK YOU to folks who checked on him after the recent horrific tornadoes in Kentucky — and tons of gratitude to all those who have...

As an appraiser, do you check appliances when conducting an appraisal inspection/observation? What if it's an FHA assignment? After all, we need to assure the appliances are operational. So if you don’t test them, how do you confirm they work?  Listen to Bryan’s most recent experience in navigating this very scenario. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:  /appraiserele...

Are you meeting the needs of your clients? Are you turning down work? Most appraisers are so busy they can’t keep up, even with working extended hours, weekends, holidays; and their vacation (if they ever take one) has become a working vacation. When is the last time you took vacation without packing your laptop to handle some work while vacationing?  If we can't keep up and meet the needs of...

We were taught (and continue to teach our kids) that practice makes perfect. Is that even true? Is there such a thing as perfection? Maybe we should be teaching our kids, and reminding ourselves, that practice makes better. The same goes for us real estate professionals. The real estate market isn't perfect. Appraisers aren't perfect. Even USPAP isn't perfect. In fact, it actually s...

Do you have your Halloween costume ready? Maybe you don’t need one if you are a ghost. Are you an appraiser ghost?  Many appraisers are apparently becoming ghosts, which can be a frightful thing for the clients they serve and the communities in which the service is provided. Can you be disciplined for being an appraiser ghost and engaging in ghostly activities?  Bryan isn’t afraid of an appraisal...

Do you do hybrid appraisals? What if the person doing the inspection part was an appraiser? Instead of doing the desktop appraisal part of the hybrid, would you be interested in doing the inspection? Listen in as Bryan sits down with Arizona appraiser Dave Park, who is focusing on the inspections part, to supplement his income as he nears retirement. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch th...

Create a Win, Win, Win strategy by bringing on helpers. This podcast is designed for trainee appraisers or wannabe trainees. What can you do to stand out from the crowd?  Bryan brings two Houston, TX aspiring appraisers into the hot seat for trainee talk. Listen in to their recommendations of what courses to take (and in what order) and creative ideas to find just the right supervisor to get you o...

What will happen if appraisers can’t service this overwhelming demand from their clients, because there just aren't enough hours in the day?  Is it time for a new disrupter in the appraisal profession? Something along the lines of Netflix, Carvana, Red Door, and Zoom?  Listen in as Bryan hosts guests Mark Walser and Josh Walitt to talk about what might be considered the Next Big Change. Hint:...

What is functional obsolescence and external obsolescence? Why are they called obsolescence? After all, physical depreciation is considered deterioration instead of obsolescence, so why isn’t it called physical obsolescence? Finally, what’s curable vs. incurable obsolescence and how does an appraiser ascertain if something is curable or incurable?  Listen in as Bryan examines these items to answer...

Appraising can be a thankless job. Bryan extends a sincere thank you to working appraisers, supervisory appraisers and nice appraisers willing to give back. Please consider thanking a fellow appraiser for their hard, sometimes unappreciated, work.  Let’s all be kind to one another. A kind word to someone will make their day and likely make your day as well. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to w...

Are you tired of Netflix, Zoom meetings, and remote working? If so, I have some good news. Appraisers and users of appraisal services are coming back together.  There is something great coming to Vegas, and it's by and for appraisers. Listen in as your host Bryan Reynolds sits down with Joan Trice and Jim Morrison to discuss their exciting conference coming to Vegas in September 2021.  🔔 SUB...