January 8th, 2009 categories: Mortgages
A lender I’ve worked with in the past sent me the following yesterday afternoon regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s change in how appraisals will be ordered:
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Change the Appraisal Process
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will implement a revised Home Valuation Code of Conduct beginning May 1, 2009. In an attempt to increase the reliability of appraisals, the revised code builds on existing seller-servicer guidelines and will apply to lenders that sell single-family mortgage loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
One major difference in the code is that lenders will be required to order appraisals from one central clearing house, which will in turn select an appraiser. The down side of such a process is that lenders will have little to no communication with the appraiser, which means there won’t be an opportunity to have a discussion or touch base with appraisers before they go out to appraise the house. The new code is intended to help assure that borrowers, home buyers and secondary mortgage market investors receive fair and independent property valuations.
In some areas, lenders have already implemented these changes, and in the next few weeks and months, more will have to begin the process.
I understand the reasoning behind it is to ensure there is no behind-the-scenes talking between the lender and the appraiser to influence the appraiser’s final price valuation, but all this is going to end up doing is increase the length of time it takes to close on a home (as well as probably raise appraisal prices because of lack of competition). I vote a big no for this one.
Additional Resources:
Federal Housing Finance Agency’s News Release
Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Valuation Code of Conduct
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