Top 10 Appraisal Management Companies

David 2 years ago

They are all dogs with fleas

adrian  2 years ago

What a load of crap. These are the top 10 management companies.

Mark 2 years ago

The top 10 AMC's do not even touch the bottom of 100,000 independent appraisal companys

Bruce T 2 years ago

Real Estate has been of interest to me for many years and I often dream of building a real estate empire someday. So whenever I happen across information such as this it revives that desire to go for it once again. It's a very exciting moment to feel as though it can really happen and who knows, maybe it can. Thanks for the spiritual lift! I really needed it!

Johnny 2 years ago

AMC are the greatest!! The make everything consistent. None listed are the ones I use. Check out ones that are acutally have offices located close to you.

Chris 2 years ago

AMC's are scum. They steal half the fee from appraisers for emailing an appraisal to someone. It is a crock of sh**!

Mike 2 years ago

I couldn't agree more with you. AMC's are scum! The appraisal business is in a downward spiral and has been since the HVCC. Cut fees, more work, etc.

Anonymous/Appraiser NJ 2 years ago

And the job "assignment" goes to the lowest paid appraiser.... so what if they've been in the business a day/week/year. As long as the AMC makes lots of money off the you. It's a sad shame what the appraisal profession has come to. It uused to be a well paying profession until HVCC came into the picture. My six digit income has been slashed down to nill. It is sickening. Lots of great appraisers are exiting the business for good cause. It is no longer an honorable/respectable position thanks to the AMC's who only care about cheap fees and 24 hour turntimes. It's a disaster.

Jim 2 years ago

Appraiserloft?? Very low splits, fees not paid in timely matter. just my experience

loowood 2 years ago

Appraiserloft?? I agree they do not know what they are even doing, takes months and many calls to get paid. One sided message sysytem, they only let you view what they send to you, scammers red flags at everyturn run forest run

Anti: AMC & HVCC 2 years ago

They should be the top 10 crappy AMCs.

AMC's ARE ILLEGAL 2 years ago

Truth in Lending ACT states AMC should tell the truth. They get paid as an appraiser in the HELOC documents under appraisal fee. They are illegal and unethical. AMC are under control of Lender and they are illegal and unethical. They need to charge their own fees instead of getting paid from the appraisers fee. I'm going out of business because the slashed appraisal fees do not pay for the appraisal expenses anymore!

Steve M. 2 years ago

AppraiserLoft and Landsafe should be avoided like the lpague, for reasons of slow payment and horrid fee splits as noted by others.

PCV No More! 2 years ago

Beware of PCV Murcor `reviewers' are actually untrained `checkers' that have been empowered to rate your work! Unbelievably there are staff SRA's opting choose to stand behind these kids' lack of knowledge/due diligence! Simply horrible! Has my 15+yrs industry experience been reduced by these minimally trained monkeys? Simply disgraceful and this firm is owned by a MAI ... Why am I not an SRA? Why pay $100 less a year than the MAI in Institute dues? Such a scam ...

Steve k  24 months ago

PCV I agree are a bunch of untrained idiots. I'm leaving the profession.....Im fed up

cb 24 months ago

What I don't understand is how they can say a they want the appraisal ordering away from someone who makes commission but that does not include a service company. If an appraisal does not reach a value for a service company then they lose the title search fee, title insurance fee, notary fee (they skim all the same as appraisal fees)hud prep, doc prep, recording fees, etc. So they have the most to lose and put the most pressure on appraisers. Service companies compete against each other for more banks so all they have to offer is faster turn time and lower fees and more unnecessary junk in the reports to require from appraisers. Best of all most of the AMC's are owned by the banks. Why won't anyone listen???

Grunt 24 months ago

Check out paid sponsors for this page. Who would you expect to see on here.

Bob 24 months ago

PCv Murcor does not hire experienced appraisers to review If they did they would have to pay more than the $30,000 they pay now. They have made a fortune but not for long they are losing all good will

Rockey 24 months ago

I've been an appraiser for ten years with a company that has been in business for over twenty five years. The company has four state certified appraisers with a full office staff. The emergence of AMC has had the most devastatingly negative effect on quality, honest and reliable appraisals ever seen in our industry. The office staff has been let go, and I'm sure the appraisers aren't far behind. AMC's are a joke.

Dottie 24 months ago

If you're experienced and think all the work is going to newer appraisers, think again. I'm had my certified license less than a year, great resume, applied to at least a dozen AMC's and have not received work from any of them. What a joke!

Patricia  24 months ago

The way to get paid by a AMC that isn't paying is CALL THE LENDER DIRECTLY. That puts a fire in their A--. They really get fired up.

Sizeitup 23 months ago

It is unfortunate that we as appraisers have let the banks and government call the shots and gave so much control to AMC's. So many appraisers have left the industry because of this mess. We need to stand united to fight for our independence. Really what has a AMC done for you, now you have to do extra work, register with several AMC's, manage several sites to for invoices, payments and then you have no control on when you get orders- you are now dependent on someone else. That does not sound like independence to me.

Appraiser & AMC (RIP) 23 months ago

You can take more than half my fee AMC but now I can not afford to pay for mls services,software xsite services, tech support,paper & ink supplies, car insurance, car payment, gas, field cards, deeds, renew state licence, continue education classes, cell pnone, office phone, fax line and now I must say good bye to the appraisal profession but I will not die alone because so will you AMC!!!!!!!

Ray Bennett 23 months ago

If you seek out a reputable national AMC that is owned and operated by appraisers, try Momentum Appraisal Group, Inc. They pay their appraisers very well and provide personalized service. Not that sterile environment you get from these other AMC's. Lenders love their services!

F the AMC's 23 months ago

Way to go Cuomo! How can one person single handedly ruin a great profession? This guy has succeeded! Hey Cuomo, don't you have ownership in an AMC? Hmmmm. Go figure.

Anthony 23 months ago

It seems the majority of the AMC's that I use,I have to constantly make calls and send emails for my money. And if you don't do that you won't receive your payment. Global Appraisal Solutions, now Appraisal Mediation Solutions, LLC.DO NOT DO business with this guy, you won't get paid. He starts a company then, takes massive orders of asppraisals and keeps ALL the money. His name is LARRY HOLZER, type his name in your browser, you can read about this _sshole. And yes there are some advocates out there that will take up for him, but they are few.

Dan 23 months ago

Well, the key to AMC success is to get listed with as many amcs as possible which will give you the ability to pick and choose which orders you would like to complete. The last quarter of 2009 was the BEST in terms of net income with 90% of my work coming from appraisal management companies.

The other key is to get a top ranking appraiser website which will help with your rankings as well. You will get all the divorce and bankruptcy appraisal work in your area if you are ranking 1 in your area for CITYNAME + appraisal and appraiser. Check out San Diego Appraiser and you will see we are always #1. For more details, visit http://www.appraiserwebsites.net for 3 months free hosting.

Bryan 23 months ago

GET FULL FEE ESTATE WORK BY HAVING A TOP RANKING APPRAISER WEBSITE

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET FULL FEE WORK OUTSIDE OF AMC WORK

GET A WEBSITE THAT RANKS!

VISIT: HTTP://WWW.APPRAISERWEBSITES.NET

GT 23 months ago

I thought the whole AMC/HVCC program was supposed to stop appraiser pressure, fraud, pre-comping, and so on and so on. I have been approached more now than before from these idiots wanting pre-comps or the old "if you see something that would effect the value when you get to the house BS, then call us" ***also completed an order that must have came in a little shy because the AMC called to try and pressure another $10k out of me (last order i got from them), BUT they ordered another appraisal on the same house from my old Supervisor 2 wks later just to try and get Their needed value (didn't work this time)..

AMC and HVCC is a J.O.K.E.

Thanks for the Vent....

GT 23 months ago

Ditto on AppraisalLoft slow paying.. I called them after waiting 2 months on a couple orders (last orders) and the lady said "O I have you on my desk" (What???)., and then "they are a little late arent they".. Wasn't this the AMC's biggest selling point to the Appraisers.. You wont have to be a collection agency anymore blah blah blah.. I always got paid upfront before, but Nope can't do that anymore..

Sorry, must not have vented enough above..

Tony C. 23 months ago

Pete & Tom, let me guess, you are trying to SELL us something. Good luck with that.

* Comments are not for Promoting (pimping) Your hubs or other sites.

Roman 23 months ago

People where can we get work?

Jorge 23 months ago

I received 2 orders from Axis and when I finished the 2nd one which did not appraise @ purchase price I was told that I was being removed because I didn't have a 5 year experience & I stoped receiving orders from appraisal loft as well for refusing to complete one appraisal. Appraisaloft

Oregon Appraiser 23 months ago

Appraisal Loft did not pay me for 6 months!!! I had to call over and over again to get to someone. Can you believe 6 months. They have been late on paying every month, yet they call 4 times a day to ask how the appraisal is coming. I complained so heavily that they took me off their list. When I asked why they claim that I was slow! I have been told by numerous people in their office that I was a great appraiser and with good turn times. They are crooks and backwards. I hope they go away.

Cuomo, Jr. 23 months ago

Appraisal loft is slow paying, and after reading the comments above, i am even more worried-i thought HVCC said payment must be sent within the month or huge fine.

Don 23 months ago

I've been appraising for 2 decades and I now make less per year than I used to pay in taxes. I'm surprised LSI(Lenders Service) or who I like to refer to as LSI(Lousy Stupid Idiots) has not been mentioned. The devil looks good next to these annoying, ridiculous, mindless clowns.

Jim 23 months ago

Any suggestions on what AMCS to use in Jacksonville,Florida

AREA???

Mike L. 22 months ago

You all should try Momentum Appraisal Group, their upper management and owners are experienced appraisers plus they pay appraisers well. Lenders really like working with them from a service standpoint. www.MomentumWeb.com

Ivvy 22 months ago

Do a search on Google about Appraiser Loft and payment.....I found it very interesting. I have been waiting four months now for payment on an appraisal & I am ashamed to say what they are paying me after being in business for 18 years! lol

CA Appraiser 22 months ago

THE TRUTH ABOUT THESE AMCs:

#2 - AppraiserLoft: Will stop sending work if you don't comply with their "requests", even if they violate USPAP. They won't pay unless you call at least 3 times (seriously). They send out orders at low fees to all on their list and you have to respond immediately to get the order.

#3 - Streetlinks: Has total idiots "reviewing" reports who don't read and ask for clarification and comments on the most obvious things. Good luck getting an order through the first time.

#5 - Appraisal Management Online: Their website says they are not accepting anymore appraisers.

I think I am signed up with everyone else, but they don't send work...

What to do? WHAT TO DO?????

Mark A Goodwin 22 months ago

You have got to be kidding me AppraisalLoft only took 4 months to pay me for 3 appraisals, yet I had to have them in with in 2 days.

Landsafe was one of the biggest cheats next to e-Appraise-it I hope BOA has cleaned it up. From what I here they can not keep appraiser on their roles.

Valuations lagistics has had so many names it is hard to know who they are.

CA Appraiser 22 months ago

Oh, and #8 SAMCO says they aren't accepting appraisers either.

I feel like friggin' Sherlock Holmes trying to find out who is legitimate, who isn't scamming by charge registration fees, who actually has work in my area, and WHO IS NOT A COLOSSAL WASTE OF MY TIME!!!!!

Seriously, there's got to be a better way....and one of you hacks better not respond by trying to get me/us to buy for $100+ your FABULOUS list of these blood-sucking leeches who won't even send us work.

Ugh!!!

WA Appraiser 22 months ago

Is this for real?? LandSafe is the only company on this roster worth anything. Can I please pay to sign up with some crap company only to get nothing!! LOL

Carrie 22 months ago

I used to receive a lot of work through AMC's Due to the HVCC, and now newly hired appraisers who work for nothing in hopes to receive work. If I want work, I need to come in for a FULL Appraisal @125.00, while the AMC'S are receiving 425.00 or more, recently I have had the home owners angry at me although we can't discuss the amount they sure do bring it up at the AMC'S are receiving at least 425.00 and up. I appraised a town home it was a single story fee simple one bedroom, the lenger charged them 625.00. Let be smart appraisers, I raised my fee's to the value of my time and quality of my work, unfortunitely I am not receiving work, but I also can't aford to work for free it takes time to complete a confident report why not get paid for it.

If we all stand together there is hope.

appraiser wanabee 22 months ago

I want to thank all of you for your comments. I've been considering becoming an appraiser and appreciate hearing honest opinions about amcs and the state of the profession. Guess I'll be looking for a different career! Thanks for the reality check.

Valuation Matters 22 months ago

Sid Som has created this blog to share his views on major (controversial) issues and trends affecting valuation, assessment and property taxes.

Xila 22 months ago

Hi guys, been in the business for 26 years, lost all my clients due to HVCC, have signed up with 2 AMC's only because they claim to pay full fee. But one of them I must warn you against....it is called "Appraiser's Advantage". They charge a hefty up front fee, for one year, and send you nothing. And when you call to find out what is up, they won't even answer the phone or return your calls. Appraisers Beware !! And anyone thinking of getting into the appraisal business, that would be the biggest mistake of your professional life. Run don't walk to any other means of making a living, cause appraising is no longer viable. (with very few exceptions)

Frankie 21 months ago

I most agree with almost everyone's comments I have read. I know that some of the lenders locally have found a way to create their own panel of appraiser's and refuse to use AMC's. Most of the lender's that use the AMC are not happy with them either. I am tired of tring to understand the " English " that they are tring to speak, and sick of then telling me that they need additional information in the appraisal without reading what I have already put in my Summary ( Which is nearly a Narrative now ). I do know that the appariser's that choose to do these LOW Fee Appraisals are crazy. Why work for free? I guess that old saying is true, You get what you pay for. If they think that there have been BAD loans in the past.... Give it a few years and see what happens next.....

AMC Appraiser 21 months ago

I have had some good experience with a few of the companies on this list. Landsafe has always paid us full fee with good consistent work.

Susan 21 months ago

Jon Katz-District Appraisals- Never paid for 2 appraisals he ordered, checked out the client, they paid District Appraisals in full for the assignments. BEWARE of this scum ball.

chris 21 months ago

The sad thing is that HVCC is effecting banks that were not a part of the crisis

chris 21 months ago

I used to work for an AMC (I hated it). It's true, they are not willing to lower there percentage they want the appraiser to be paid less so they can make the some margins. All I was was a secretary. A lender could have done what I did. Look in the yellow pages, call every appraiser and ask their fee and turn time and award to cheapest and fastest.

I work for a bank now and order appraisals b/c of my experience with an AMC. Fortunately though I get to pick my appraiser based on quality of work (as it should be) rather than best fee and TT. Just my two cents. Not looking forward to when HVCC bites the US in the you know what.

Chaz 21 months ago

Can attest to the fact that Appraiserloft takes a very long time to pay for appraisals. Usually over 60 days and after calling them several times. Additionally, they consistently send over appraisal request to several appraisers at the same time and 100% of the time when I try to accept the file within 60 seconds of the received email, the order is no longer there.

jim 21 months ago

I agree...The AMC's are giving appraisal assignments based on the lowest fee not on who's most qualified. These banks using AMC's should wake up. They think their getting a quality appraisal when nothing could be further from the truth. They are all getting what they pay for. If all the appraisers would stop taking appraisals at reduced fees and stand their ground we could have some impact as a group.

Booger 21 months ago

This has been shit to our appraisal industry. Why dont they do this to realtor, lender, loan officers. Not just the appraisers. Lets play with the peoples salary making the laws. See how they like it.

Joe 21 months ago

I work for a very good AMC. in Ca.

They pay very fast, and fees pre. hvcc.

Pacific Coast Appraisal AMC.(not Pacific Coast).

There is 2 that have similar names but very different, I worked for both. Now only P.C.A.

gUEST 11993321 20 months ago

Appraiserloft sucks!!! It will take you well over 90 days to receive payment and thats if you call on a daily basis.

NC Appriaser 20 months ago

Valuation Logistics was a scam is out of business, the owner will be in jail soon! AppriaserLoft sucks when it comes to fees and paying. They hound you to get the appriasal in a day after the inspectionand you have to hound them to get your $. AMC's are greedy sons of b....ths.

Scott 20 months ago

Ca appraiser you hit it on the head with streetlink. They suck. A bunch of not knowing anything about the appraisal industry bozos. As far as cuomo goes he's an a-hole too. How does one person have the authority to put a complete industry out of business? I promise you his wallet got fat just like all the rest of this knuckle heads that caused this mess.

Dave 20 months ago

How True, all of you! I have done business with streetlinks and I finally asked if they even read my report. None of these companies have anyone that knows the business. It is truly disturbing when the federal government puts an industry out of business, I feel like GM

Almost Gone 20 months ago

Well here I am posting on an appraisal blog. I have been virually unemployed for over a year. And now, last night, I received the notice that Chase is suing me for an appraisal that was completed in mid-2007. The home forclosed a little more than a year later, and sold six months later for about 50% of my appraised value. This they are blaming on me? Actually, before the suit was filed, they filed a complaint with the CA Office of Real Estate Appraisers, OREA closed the complaint with no action. So now JP Morgan Chase is coming after me for the deficit that they incurred after a forclosure sale. I am just baffled at how the California Real Estate Market crash can be blamed on me. I have analyze the data regarding this particular sale, one of the comps used sold at forclosure for an even greater percentage loss, and Chase thinks that I inflated the value. In my opinion, the market inflated the value, and then the market adjusted.

Retired Appraiser 20 months ago

They all suck. I can attest to first hand knowledge that 5 of the 10 are incompetent companies driven only by the profit motive. The fact is they do not even read the appraisal report. One of the ten sent over a list of 25 questions. The answer to each question was clearly stated within the appraisal report. Another of these companies was not content with the fact that we included 5 comparable sales with a report. They sent over a list of 45 sales and asked us to consider each sale. They were promptly reported for trying trying to coerce appraisers to alter a value.

The bottom line is that HVCC was the apparatus that enabled the new AMC extortion business model. If you disagree with this style of business I urge you to short the stocks of the largest (AMC owning) banks. Not only can you profit by shorting these stocks; you are virtually stabbing them where it hurts the most.

Consequently you may see that you can make more by shorting banks than you can appraising.

No Mo AMCs 20 months ago

With regards to the comment from AMC Appraiser who apparently "just loves to work for AMCs".

Either you are paid directly by an AMC to write such a letter or you are the only appraiser in 500 miles. The only way AMCs will pay full fee is if they are forced into a situation where they cannot apply their "race for the bottom" fee competition.

God help you if your Uncle Remos should decide to become an appraiser.

Jim M.  20 months ago

I have been a r.e. appraiser+broker for 30 years and thats how long it took me to get where I am now. I know longer work for the amc's. They call and I tell them to stick it. I represent buyer's and sellers who want to deal with me. I also appraise for third parties (no lenders). I feel young again and have never been happier even in this market.

Johnathan in NC 20 months ago

Been appraising for over 18 years. Like most of you, last year and a half has been a finacial disaster. AMCs, most especially w/o regulations, are the Nephilim of our appraisal world. Maybe there are a few who try, but by far and large, most are deliberately clueless and are not hiring us for our experience and professionalism. I work in an small 2-county area that has manf homes in rural to $2 mil+ custom in gated S/D's to horse farms. We have to be able do it all to appraise in this area. But, same fee and t/t for any kind of property AND if you do not meet the 24 hour deadline due to difficulty of the property, despite having done an honest appraisal the lender can actually use, you get bumped to the bottom of the list till the next person who is now at the top of the list messes up. The banks are upset, the borrowers are upset, we're upset.......AMCs = smileyface! I am involved in 3 other legit businesses in order to keep going because someday, somebody has to come to their senses and somehow mitigate this disaster. I hang in because I do love the work and I'm good at it. But it wont be the geniuses in government who stabbed us through with this. We got pegged as the scapegoats and, as always, it's only the few that deserve that title. As with everything else government is involved in, if they would enforce EXISTING laws on appraisers, lenders, special interest groups and the government depts involved, we wouldn't need be going through this at all.....

As for the "I couldn't be happier" occassional poster...either you've been compensated to say that, you were not getting work prior to the HVCC perhaps due to inexperience and/or you live in a metro area where turn times may be typically faster than normal. But if so, you are evidently not most of us......

Hmmmmmm....maybe a hotdog stand...........

Btw....thanks for the opportunity to mini-vent!

Exodus Appraiser 20 months ago

First of all let me address the two week old post from Joe praising Pacific Coast Appraisers paying very fast and full fee. Those "inepticons" rank amongst the top worse excuse makers I've experienced in my 20 years in the industry. Just a few examples: "You haven't been paid...we're only human", "A family member is sick", "We switched banks and there will be a delay", "Please give me the property address and I'll research your payment, I PROMISE", "Could you resend the property address again". I could go on and on, but I think it's pretty clear. They're AMC Stooges.

Secondly, I have to agree with 98% of my fellow appraisers-bloggers. The regulators have bent us over and drove on us, without a kiss, without flowers, without dinner, without alcohol and without lubrication. Cuomo brainstorms a way to destroy an entire industry, then publically apologizes, now wants to run for governor. You gotta love the system.

Finally, with all the APO, BPO, AVM industry talk, the writing is on the wall. The system doesn't care about fixing the appraiser problem. It's all about what's the easiest way to turn a profit and they don't care how many small business owners, entrepreneurs or families fall by the wayside.

I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist and enough is enough.

Lets fight back 20 months ago

I have been appraising for many years. I am curently in law school to change careers becuse this one is going to hell. The only way I believe we can fight back is to come together and file a classaction lawsuit for unfair business practices. I am currently doing some research and I will let you all know how it goes. If anyone is interested in helping out shoot me an email ss3679@gmail.com

Revolter 20 months ago

Ladies and gentlemen, I am 40 years and have gone back to school again for an unrelated field because of the same issues you are facing. The only solace I take from this is "its not just me". The good thing about this is, we have numbers on our side. Guys we are the actual appraisers! AMC's don't give values. I say let's do something tantamount to a strike. Doesn't have to be an actual strike, could be a protest in Washington, or the class action lawsuit that Lets Fight Back is talking about (I've written down the email address he provided to link up with him). Bottom line is, venting serves its purpose, but now is the time for action. I am from New York and will vote for any candidate that runs against Cuomo; I don't think that not voting is enough. I can be reached at 917-865-2624 or corey_easley@hotmail.com. I am down for whatever! We need someone with some organizational skills to put this effort together so we can have our lives back.

AGREA 19 months ago

Why is it that appraisers keep putting up with the same $h!t an just complain about it on forums? Are you going to strike with AGREA Aug 23-27th 2010? I know I’m tired of these Fu$king emails from PCV and other AMC's for $200.00 appraisals.

Appraisers, we need to stand together and strike together to express to the lenders and AMC's that the appraisers are a vital part of the lending process and that our time is worth more than $200!!

The Association of Georgia Real Estate Appraisers (AGREA) is Rallying at the Georgia State Capital on August 24, 2010 and striking Aug 23-27th 2010.

If you are interested in leading a rally in your state at your state capital please contact us at info@AGREA.org or (678)810-0130 and we will help you get appraisers together in your state.

We MUST to STAND TOGETHER for a fair living wage!

Phil From Nj 19 months ago

I think that the only way for us to take back what is ours is to stop taking orders. We are already under paid so just stand up for what you belive is right. That what America stands for!!!!

Ron 19 months ago

I completed my 40th year in the appraisal profession in March 2010. In fact my family has been involved in the appraisal profession for over 60 years. I have experienced many changes good and bad but the creation of AMC's is by far the worse. I can not believe that any company that is concerned with receiving an accurate valuation of real estate would think that ordering the appraisal through an AMC is the answer. Hiring the cheapest and least experienced and in some cases the same bad appraisers that lenders would not use before HVCC will eventually destroy our profession.

Last week I received a request for a retrospective review at a fee half of my normal fee. In talking to the company ordering the fee, I discovered I was the fourth level of the ordering process. A Large major lender had ordered the review from an AMC who ordered it from another AMC who ordered it from a National Appraisl Company who called me. The problem was nobody wanted to do the review but by the time it got to me the fee and turn around time was down to nothing. The way I calculate it, the fee for the review divided by the number of hours I have in a detailed forensic review amounted to less than what I can make flipping hamburgers. Which right now does not sound that bad.

Josh 19 months ago

Let's give Corey help to defeat Mr. Cuomo running for Governor who has destroyed our Appraisal Profession.Also

help ss3679@gmail.com to file a class action law suite.

This is the American way.

Tim Ventura 18 months ago

Thank you for this awesome top-10 list! My firm has a larger list to assist agents in registration (free, no signup required) at:

http://www.appraisal-management-companies.net

We also have a version for BPO agents at:

http://www.bpo-companies-list.com

Thanks!

Tim Ventura

April Hawk 18 months ago

All Appraisers need to go to the AFI http://appraisersforindependence.com enough with this "I don't care what your fees are, it is irrelevant and you will do it for 70% less" Appraisers finally have a place to go to stand up and get your business back...and yes charge your fees once again.

Oh did I mention the membership is free for Appraisers!

Andres 18 months ago

Keep the pressure on, we will get through this

windysan 18 months ago

Customary and Reasonable.....EAT THAT YOU BLOOD SUCKING VAMPIRE RATS !!

NY 18 months ago

Small AMC's will die in 90 days. Be careful cause ur gonna get stiffed. The big 5 will remain. We will see who, if anyone enforces the law. AMC's are scum and should be paid by the lender if they choose to use AMC's(which they own)

Ben 18 months ago

Some AMC have not been to bad to work for. They pay fair fees and judge assignments on turn-times and accuracy. Appraiser Loft is a cut-rate piece of shit company that tries to keep 50% of the fee while having the most extensive of requirements. Only a very shitty appraiser that can get no work anywhere else would deal with these guys. They pay half of the standard fee if the pay you at all. If you are an appraiser doing work for them, you are not just selling yourself short, you are selling the whole appraisal industry short. They still owe me on two jobs from last year. They make me sick. Today I just got my first order from them in months. Here is a secret. I have no intention of doing shit with this file. Ha ha, fuck Appraiser Loft. Appraiser Loft is not in the Top 10 Mgmt companies. They are hands down, with out a doubt, the worst.

Robert 18 months ago

Jon Katz. District appraisals. Still waiting for payment from 2009. I don't think they're in business anymore, anyone know if they are? Feel free to email me appraisals@stny.rr.com

Thanks

Steve 17 months ago

Does anyone know who runs Streetlinks Appraisal Management Company? Try Nova Star. I don't think Nova Star is in business anymore, but Nova Star was one of the biggest subprime lenders in the country. Isn't that a good match.

30 Year Appraiser 17 months ago

I've been appraising for 30 years and I can tell you that AMC's hire the CHEAPEST, MOST INEXPERIENCED, BRAND NEW, GOOFBALL SKIPPY APPRAISERS they can find. They take the $400-$500 appraisal fee (PAID BY THE HOMEOWNER), and steal more than half of this fee for simply FORWARDING AN EMAIL TO THE LENDER. They are lowlife, dirty, vampire, scumrats.

Steve 17 months ago

I would like to say a few things regarding the turn times for invoices to be paid by these AMC's. Prior to becoming an appraiser about 7 years ago I was a purchasing manager for a medium sized manufacturing company. I had a monthly budget of between 2.5 million and 3 million dollars per month. I would spend between $500,000 and $750,0000 dollars per month with the suppliers. If the large supplies did not receive payment within 45 days they would close our account and put us on COD. Keep in mind our parent company was a major corporation that was traded on the NYSE. I really don't think any major industry in the country has standard payment terms going out much more than 45 days. Keep in mind most of these payments are a couple of hudred dollars. Most of the AMC's that we deal with collect payment up front, so they have payment prior to ordering the appraisal. I think holding appraisers money over thirty days is just wrong. The AMC's should pay a late charge if payment goes over 30 days. That should be the law that is enforced by the local appraiser board for the state. The AMC's are getting away with it and in some cases putting appraisers out of business.

Tom 16 months ago

To the general public: If you need an appraisal done right, call a local appraiser with many years of experience. These AMC's are simply a warehouse designed to handle mass voumes of appraisals for lenders. They typically use the least experienced appraisers who are willing to work for peanuts, and usually do crappy work. You get what you pay for!

Rob Tames 16 months ago

Good day all,

I have been involved in lending and finance for the better part of 20 years. Father is a builder, Mother sold RE. I have owned a mortgage company and have dealt with appraisers across this great country. All of the comments above are valid concerns that any business person should understand.

Due to market conditions my partners and I closed our mortgage company and I made the decision to help build a different kind of AMC.

Below is a list that differentiates us from so many others.

- Our executive team is made up of mortgage professionals averaging 20 years experience each.

- We have no contracts and no set up fees for lenders or appraisers.

- We pay the appraisers in our network 100% more than the current national average. 75% of all fees collected are paid directly to the appraiser.

- We select our appraisers on three criteria: Proximity to the subject property, tenure as an licensed appraiser and ARC grade point average.

- We employ both DE underwriters and certified appraisers to complete our QC process and when helping to clear collateral conditions, appraisers will speak directly with appraisers or underwriters.

- We provide very clear instructions and you will always be able to reach someone on the phone with questions or concerns.

If you're interested in gathering more information, please visit our website at www.etecams.com, click on the "Request Information" button and one of our staff will contact you.

For those of you that mentioned "there has to be a better way"; there is.

Please call me directly with any questions and or concerns.

Best,

Rob Tames

eTEC Appraisal Management Solutions

480-251-2598

rob@etecams.com

abacadab 16 months ago

Just sent to the CEO of Streetlinks:

To have a management company not dictated by B of A or Wellsfargo, etc. was suppose to be a new start of things. Now, we are being fazed out with your ridiculous demands and BS w/ less pay.

I need you to realize if there are no appraisers. You do not have a company! Right or wrong?

You can rub elbows w/ Wells or B of A. At the end of the day, your screwing America. The land that you live in. You get that right?

I know exactly what you buggers are doing. Back to S & L days.

Ya know what.... GO FOR IT!! In the long run your only screwing yourself. Unfortunately, your so short sighted, you can't see it.

Congratulations on being apart of bringing down America for your own monetary needs/ wants.. GOOD FOR YOU!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEGACY!!

Disgruntled Appraiser 16 months ago

Why do I have to BEG for Appraiser Loft to pay me for my work. I am expected to give daily updates and do ridiculous revisions within hours of the request. BUT...do they feel a need to pay me??? NOOOOOOO! I have to ask! And ask again. It usually takes 3-4 asks and 3 months to get a check. And at least one in the process they say, "The check has been sent." Bull! I have to ask again, then it might actually get sent. I am ready to call THEIR clients and let them know what a horrid company they are. We need to find a way to get our industry back. These AMCs really stink!!!!!

Joseph McCarthy 15 months ago

One AMC stands tall among the rest as the top scumbag: StreetLinks! If you are booked and you need to decline an order; chose to decline these guys.

Lenny 15 months ago

LOL, just spent an hour registering for one on this list and lost in the 21 page application it says, "Fee is 60% of what borrower pays for the appraisal". This is fair? What a joke.

Eric, a broke appraiser. 15 months ago

Appraisal managements companies. I have been an appraiser for 20 years. We do have a voice but its not a majority vote. But rather a collective voice of individuals. Government will not listen to individuals. We as appraisers should have held a stop on all appraisals until we got someones attention? Collectively we should have found a voice in the form of revolt. Why Have we worked so hard for all of the years to become independant only now to have AMc's and Hvcc's calling our shots and controlling our financial futures?. No thats thats been said, It almost seems unconstitutional that we cannt be paid directly for there services. With the weight of the appraisal in the financial transaction, tell me truthfull that and appraisal is not worth a minimum of $1000.00 (typical sfr).Why should we accept 1/2 our fee (150-250) for more work?. Being an owner of a business use to mean woring being dedicated, long hours, time management, Paying fee's, always explaining our work, accepting excalating fees from data companies and mls, taking courses, fighting OREA's and then battling to get paid. REVOLT. If we dont do appraisals, AMC's dont get paid, Loans dont get funded and the whole system get a shock. We as appraisers must have a voice. We need a smart attourney to represent us all in a major Class action lawsuit against lawmakers, follwed by us Holding a stoppage on all work?. Immediately. I can gurantee things will change. Lets stop them from sharing or Pennies...send comments to valueguy1@aol.com, need ideas to get this lifted off of the ground..Appraisers Voice.

Ron - Appraiser 15 months ago

I to have been in the business since June 6, 1983 and in my own business since 1987. BIG BROTHER IS HERE, thanks to this administration socialism is a truisim for RE Appraisers. I have friends in the National Mortgage Brokers Assoc and we lost the vote by 5 under the Obama congress. I have no idea what to do than to agree with refruiting work from AMCs which I do not except work from. THe banks established the liar loans with no underwriting or verification of employment guidelienes. They made the loans and we get blamed for the default. THEY RECEIVED THE BIG BAIL OUTS FROM THE GOVERMENT, ABD WE WERE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.

I employed 15 appraisers and office staff until April 31 2009, my phones were still ringing. May 1st they stopped. I NEVER THOUGHT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WOULD PUT US OUT OF BUSINESS.

Joe in Jacksonville 15 months ago

I've been in this business for 16 years. Spent first 7 with my supervisor then went on my own. Had 4 full time appraisers and a staff person. Had a really great staff and actually bought an office condo so we would have a place to put everyone. That was until 2 years ago. Now I work out of my home which is going into foreclosure and so is my office. Cuomo, you SUCK. You fricking egg head. How one person can screw up a whole profession is beyond me. I do work for these fricking amc's which I know is wrong but have no choice. For that, I am sorry to my fellow appraisers. My low fee is $245. I wont do them for less although they pressure me all the time. This could have been avoided. All they had to do is place a fee on the HUD statement for management fee seperate from the appraisal fee. Easy fix. Pay the customary fee of $350-$400 depending on the type of appraisal and back off our fricking fee. I can't afford to go back to school. I have a disabled child at home so my wife can't work full time either. I love this industry though and am sticking with it. April 1st 2011 will be my drop dead date. If they dont change my fee's at that time I will have to figure something else out. Again to my fellow appraisers, sorry about working for these f'rs but I have no choice. I hope you understand. Anyone open to help move? I have about 90 days before Im getting kicked out of my house. Cuomo Your an a-hole.

Team Leader looking to assist with Appraisal Orders 15 months ago

William Guinon Jr.

Sales Team Leader

(248) 220 2360 ext.319

WGuinon@ClassAppraisals.com

www.ClassAppraisals.com

• Completes orders in 3-5 business days

• Open from 8 am to 7pm est. ( extra 15 hrs per week we work compared to competition )

• Clean up crew works Ever Sunday

• Every call is answered by a Real person

• Every Appraiser is State Certified and FHA Approved

• Our QC Dept. staff are all Licensed appraisers

• Our QC Dept. reviews EVERY SINGLE REPORT!

• Per company request we may tailor our QC Checklist to better suit your needs

• We use appraisers that are extremely close in proximity that are experts in that specific area

• Extremely user friendly website to order and view status on pending reviews

• Superior customer service repensentives

• Over 14,000 approved appraisers on our network to choice from

Devin 15 months ago

These top 10 are terrible. You should add companies like Guideline AMC and LSI on this list. These others are fee pirates. Guideline AMC and LSI are FULL FEE.

Do some research and don't just post the top 10 biggest companies. Try asking us what the top 10 BEST AMC are.

www.GuidelineAMC.com or www.lendersservice.com

Howwie 15 months ago

LSI is not full fee unless $265 per URAR is full fee.

John Grier 14 months ago

You guys that are complaining about slow/no pay for these piece of crap AMCs - I don't feel the least bit sorry for you. I have been appraising for 35 years, and MIGHT have been stiffed 2 or 3 times over 35 years. What you do is CALL THE LENDER (the amc's client). Remember they've already paid for the appraisal. If that doesn't work, CALL THE BORROWER. If that doesn't work sue the borrower in small claims court. WORKS EVERY TIME. You might not get any more work from that AMC; but, IT DOESN'T MATTER. Don't spend your time and money working for ANYONE who doesn't pay their appraisal bills.

John 14 months ago

I have found AMCLINKS to have the best network, split and professional staff that know what they are doing. I only accept from them now.

Lacey 14 months ago

I have been in the appraisal / lending / amc world for almost 15 years. The appraisers on here are correct, the big AMC's take so much of the appraisers fee and have a very inexperienced staff that 99% prior to getting their job had no clue what an appraisal was. Working with AMC's that are lender owned completely defeats the purpose of an AMC. I have moved on to a smaller AMC and could not be happier. The appraisers get over 85% of the fee they are respected and can call into my company and talk to anyone on staff and have a conversation that makes sense. The reviewers are all some sort of appraiser (certified, licensed, trainee) and have 10+ years expierence. We are appraiser owned and operated and the big guys need to take note!

And for the appraisers not getting paid, no need to call the lender all you have to do is let the AMC know that you are calling HUD to notify them. HUD will shut down any AMC that collects a fee for an appraisal and does not pay the appraiser.

Appraisal Managment Companies 14 months ago

The sad facts is that AMCs are here to stay and appraisers have to make a decision on what companies to work with and which ones you should not. The companies that will attempt to milk every ounce of work out of you and pay the bare minimum must be avoided so that they will eventually go out of business.

The key is to get a good list of appraisal management companies and go through the entire list and sign up to all of them. Go back in after you are approved and make sure everything is correct and that you have your coverage properly set up. You will be amazed by the number of companies that approve you and that you have no coverage area set up. Without this, you will get no orders.

By signing up to a bunch of appraisal management companies, you will eventually get on their approval list. Make sure to send high quality reports and don't deliver quality based on the fees you are paid. If you provide the same high quality across the board on all appraisals, your fees will increase and you will get calls to complete more orders with fully negotiable fees.

Also, by signing up across multiple AMCs you will be able to pick and choose the work you receive and get the best orders, with the best pay and the type of assignments you enjoy.

Good luck out there!

Appraiser_Jack 14 months ago

Reality check - (unfortunately)

Having just read every posting on this site, I've come up with following answer: maintain your fees and professional conduct.

It's not hard. You know what your experience and knowledge is worth. Many other professionals in the country do it. Why are we different?

I had an AMC contact me stating that the "typical" fee in my area for a 1004 SF appraisal was $225. I responded by stating the median fee in this area was $300 - $325, in many cases higher.

The response was this: "appraisers in your area are providing "quality" appraisals at a fee of $225" (canned response). Even with cutting our expenses, we all know this is not possible given the recent changes/guidelines we must adhere to (Unless someone is cutting corners).

As someone wisely posted earlier, there are AMC's out there that will respect your professional knowledge. I've only found a few and even they don't pay according to HUD guidelines. The government will not help us because they are not in our shoes. They don't know what we are going through. Our professional organizations can't seem to get us out of this situation. I'm actually a little surprised that we have come to this with no repurcussions. So it's up to us. Stand strong and never forget what you're skills are worth. It takes many hours of experience to know every aspect of even a specific market. No AVM can do that and some AMC employees might not know all the nuances involved in an appraisal assignment.....

I'll never give up, things will change.

Jack

Erik Nelson 14 months ago

This top 10 list is a joke.

The top 2 in the Midwest are Lendervend and Guideline AMC.

The others listed are hacks!

www.appraisalzone.lendervend.com

www.guidelineamc.com (login if accepted)

Lendervend site is better, but Guideline AMC service is superior. I dropped all other AMC in my market and went with these two. Guideline has Certified Apprasiers that always take my calls which is a plus. I am so sick of the other big AMC's wanting top of the line work for bottom pay. I suggest asking appraiser who the real top 10 AMC's are...

D. Biehl 13 months ago

Do you know of any profession that you can give a service, not get paid for 60 plus days, pre-pay all the upfront fees to get the work, and then split the profits with unlicensed middle men or the lender who owns the appraisal management company.

Even one Lender/appraisal management company that hires appraisers to harass the appraiser in the field to coerce a certain value. If that appraiser succeeds in getting the field appraiser to change what they want him to, the employee of that comany gets paid on that file. Sounds HVCC compliant to me. Its one of the countries largest paper buyers. I know this because this bank appraiser told me this is how he get paid. Who do I tell? The hotline for the Bank that owns this company? I just stopped doing the work.

This profession is a joke. We need to have representation. Management companies have to go.

Its like paying the Mafia for our licenses and the ability to get work. You pay Guido, you get work. But, only at a discount, 60 days later.

PissedOffAppraiser 13 months ago

PCV Murcor reviewer harrassed me to make a sales price. Once I refused to submit to thier demands, no payment. I kept all email transactions. Can we can do anything about it? If anyone knows were we can go for help please email me. Steve@Steelepruitt.com

Andre in Cali 13 months ago

This is to PissedOffAppraiser. If I were you, I will let them know to pay me asap (within a reasonable time, what ever that means to you). And let them know you will report them to the Department of Real Esate (hopefully they're in your state), and that you will place a mechanics lein on the property, and will see them in court, and will notify the broker, real estate agent, and the buyer. No threats, just let them know that you are aware of your options. Good luck!

SoCal Appraiser  13 months ago

Etec is also a slow payer. I saw Rob Thames comments. They could not be farther from the truth. I did apprasial for them in September and after 90 days and numerous emails and phone calls I called the borrowers. Their excuse was a screw up at accounts payable. Don't let his cooments fool you.

San Diego Appraiser 13 months ago

Happy New Year! Hopefully we will see some big changes for 2011, but there has been so many in the past 5 years, I am actually kind of afraid of anymore changes!

Keep working hard out there, work off a good list. If you are having bad experiences with AMCs, make sure to post them to appraisers forum. If you have not signed up to at least 20 AMCs and need work, then sign up to more AMCs.

If you don't have any internet presence, work on that to get estate work. Good luck out there!

Fort Myers Appraiser 13 months ago

I have found few AMC's who pay a customary fee. I am on several lists, however get few orders as I refuse to lower my fees to their level. Doing reports for Landsafe is rediculous. They call me on occasion for more difficult assignments, their flunky's can't handle. Rels stopped sending me orders in 2005 because I rejected an order full of fraud. I rarely hear from them since. Again only on assignments their flunky's can't handle. There is a certain point where we need to say no. I didn't work so hard for my certification with a goal of minimum wage. I know the time I spend on a report exceeds the average, but in order to produce a good report, time is needed. Most AMC fees do not cover the time involved in a quality report.

Colorado Appraiser 13 months ago

You guys have to check out VTS (value trend solutions). They are an AMC, but before your cringe, the company was started by 3 appraisers. They pay regular fees and I get a check every two weeks guaranteed. They also protect the appraiser from those ridiculous "value reconsiderations." From an appraiser's perspective, they are the absolute best AMC. I think they are nationwide. Do yourself a favor and look them up.

Mike Nolls 13 months ago

These companies only care about commissions and stealing from experienced and needed appraisers. Check out our appraisers group @ http://www.orangecountyappraising.com and get direct to appraisers who have been in the area for over 20 years!

Mike Abernathy 13 months ago

Instead of being mad at AMC's, why don't we discuss what created the need for them - our colleagues. If there weren't so many appraisers just hitting values to keep their clients happy, there would be no need for HVCC or any of that mess. Unfortunately, many appraisers are extremely unethical and this is the reason why the AMC niche has been created. Obviously it sucks for appraisers that there is now a third party involved, but I am actually one of the few that believe it will keep undue pressure in check. Also, "Colorado Appraiser," (if that is your real name) is right on about value trend solutions. I get a little work from them, and I have to say that they have been a pleasure to work with. They really look out for the appraiser and pay a full fee.

scott 13 months ago

I had to go back to my previous profession because of these low paying crooks. The beauty of my situation is that I am appraising on weekends and I refuse any low paying assignments. We as appraisers need to stand together and demand higher fees.For those of you who are working for beer money I hope your happy. Its a great feeling to tell these people to go pound sand.

ChicagoAppraiser 12 months ago

I finished (3) reports for StreetLinks. R U N!! Horrible! They pretty much wanted a 'Narrative' out of the 1004's. I was amazed at the type of stips. I refused the corrections and requested to be removed from rotation. They DID pay for the reports, though. I had written that $ off, but it came.

PA Appraiser 12 months ago

For too long, Landsafe was my bread and butter. Fees weren't terrible and they had decent turns times. I've been approved with them for five years and just found out that they knocked me down 2 tiers without so much as a phone call. Report in question was a short sale "listed on 6 beautiful acres". Pulled all my comps ahead of time based on Subject's MLS and public record info only to find out once at the property that the six beautiful acres were straight up a mountain and the agent conveniently forgot to list the active freight train tracks that literally went through the front yard! Needless to say, I had to scramble for comps and the report was a train wreck (no pun intended) which Landsafe did not like and didn't even give me the opportunity to further explain myself (even though anyone with half a brain and common sense that could read would have understood as it was all written right there in the appraisal). I didn't see any work from them for weeks and just thought work was slow across the board but finally made a phone call to double check and it was only then that I was informed that my tier rating had been lowered. So in other words, they offer the work to the first two tiers of appraisers and then if any of it sucks so badly that it's not accepted, THEN it's offered to the lowly third tier. AND if I want to dispute their findings, I can but if they are found to be accurate (who from Landsafe is willing to disagree with Landsafe's own review appraiser?) then I start my 90 day "punishment" over from the date I dispute it!! So I'm screwed either way! Gotta love those AMC's. I can say however that Landsafe has consistently paid me on time, every time (within 2 weeks of the completed assignment).

San Diego Appraiser 12 months ago

Joseph you are right. StreetLinks is at the top of the list of Scumbags. I turned down a 1004D on a 120+ day old appraisal and the so called appraiser on staff lied about what I said and got me kicked off their panel. I think he was jealous because I was making $75 dollars for it and he is making minimum wage. Or maybe not. To top it it off LSI and Streetlinks grades you. Their appraiser's don't read the reports, you have to remind them to read with almost every correction request, then prior to submitting the report you have to check multiple boxes of "supposed errors" in pervious reports. Stating that you have read that you should mark the PUD box a million times! Time consuming and ridiculous. I feel like I'm in 3rd grade again.

Midwest Appraiser 12 months ago

These comments have been very helpful, especially for weeding out the bad AMC's. Does anyone out there have any good suggestions on where to find the good AMC's? I think most appraisers are leery to tell others which AMC's are good, as they don't want others to take away there business. And I totally understand that. Any suggestions or lists would be helpful to all. Thanks!

Lubbock Appraiser 12 months ago

Business from local lenders is always preffered to dealing with AMCs. Spend your time develping relationships locally including small banks that do interim financing where HVCC rules dont apply. http://www.thelubbockappraiser.com

ChicagoAppraiser 12 months ago

If you don't know, Lendervend has stopped EMail prompts. You have to log in for work through the 'Sqiggly.'

So much for the 'Capture' GMail account I set up three weeks ago...But that's fine.

Also..Everyone relax! With the increased educational requirements, AMC's, and seasonal fluxuations, there are very few people seriously considering this profession. If you have to have 2 years college just to take a sniff at possibly making $80 to $100 K...Why would you not just finish your BA and double your income in another job. There might be 3,000 residential certified in Chicagoland and I feel this year's RE-licensure will prove even less. Hang in there and produce GOOD reports.

kevin litchke 12 months ago

48 hr and appraiser loft owe me money still, for appraisals completed this summer! I would like to know who voted these companies in the top 10

Sean in VA 12 months ago

I am 29 years old and have been an appraiser for 6 years. I made 47k this year and have never made over 57k since I started. I work for an appraisal company who gets their orders from the AMC's. So when we get an order for $230, I only receive $147.50. I work for them all- RELS, BofA, LSI, Corelogic, Eappraiseit,etc...I have never been more broke and more frustrated. They pay so little, require a 2 day turn time, expect us to take original comp pics which can sometimes take hours extra on the road, and then come back with correction requests after we complete an order complying with their 8 million guidelines. As of today, I get more correction requests than actual new orders. One AMC, Corelogic, threatened us that if we don't meet their 90% turn time rating and their "1st close percentage" we won't get orders....Corelogic sent me 7 orders in December....how can i live on 7 orders a month? And then they threaten us? What in the world is a "1st close percentage?" I am a great appraiser and am about to go work on a horse farm because the only way i'm getting screwed there is with a screwdriver. The truly sad part is that when I average the total time it takes to turn in an assignment from leaving the door to the transmission of the report to all correction requests satisfied is around $10 per hour. I have a friend who is a manager at Starbucks and she pulls down $70,000 a year and I struggled to make 47,000 and I'm the one in the real estate profession....she serves coffee....that is TRULY sad.

Downeast Apraiser 12 months ago

I work for several AMCs I give my fee up-front they can eather accept it or not, makes no difference to me.

david foster 12 months ago

pcv murcor will drop you for not making a phone call 5 times a day. They don't pay fair splits either.

ASTREL JOSUE 12 months ago

HOW CAN APPRAISER SIGN UP WITH YOUR COMPANY?

Jeff Chandler 12 months ago

Who stated these were the 10 best Companies? These are the 10 worst!!!!! Landsafe....they should be put in jail. As usual, this e-mail is simply a paid advertisment from these 10 Companies and has not experience in the field!!!!!

Jim  12 months ago

Appraiserloft is a lousy AMC. You have to call them six months later because they still haven't paid. Yet, they want YOU to Call THEM every single dayuntil the report is done. Haggle over fees. No respect for the appraiser and the cost of doing business.

Wa State appraiser 12 months ago

I have been an appraiser for almost 20 years and trying to decide whether to stick it out or learn something else. I received 6 orders last month. My house was foreclosed and I'm down to sharing a car with my wife. I use to think I have the best job in world to one of the worst. Who would want to get into this profession?

Jason 12 months ago

Started in 1990. Did work for LSI back then when I started out. They paid $175 for a 1004. I was forced like many of us to get back on AMC lists and give up all my clients. Guess what LSI pays in this market for a 1004? $175. I guess the cost of living up there in Pennsylvania doesn't go up or they know there is always a garbage appraiser around willing to do the job for that. Ridiculous pretty much sums it up. Unless you are a new appraiser use to a fee split with your boss or a bad appraiser that can't get work anywhere else, who wants to work for that when you've been paid $350-$400 for the last 15 or so years. Like I said, been here since 1991. Never black-balled, never had a complaint filed, never investigated, never fined, never anything. And for that, I've dropped from a $110k income per year to a $25k income per year, lost my house, and lost 2 cars. My daughter is a high school senior and made more money than I did last year waiting tables. Hey Cuomo! What did I do to deserve this?? I'm tired of working for nothing, fighting with uneducated AMCs, and competing for work with appraisers that shouldn't have a license in the first place. I held out as long as I could but that was the final straw for me. You all have one less appraiser to compete with for work. This appraiser is officially out. Good luck guys. By the way, I have personal experience with 7 of those 10 and they are all garbage. And good luck getting AppraiserLoft to actually pay you without waiting 4-6 months.

doug 12 months ago

never posted a comment on line, 20 + years here in southern ca. had a small shop ( 6 full time, 1 part time.) all gone, subprime background things were good. read most of the comments, looks like we all have been reading each others mail. no light at the end of the tunnel if you ask me. anyone doing any second opinion desk reviews from home/office? if so let us know.

doug

Appraiser in NC 12 months ago

I saw the "feel god" AMC comments from Mr. Rob Thames. I have an order I did the appraisal on in the summer of 2010 which has yet to be paid. I had 9 past due invoices (8 have been paid). I only got paid on after a month and 1/2 trying to collect and had to threaten to call the lender, all borrowers involved, FHA, and the NC Appraisal board. I am down to the last one left which ETEC has acknowledged they do owe me the reduced fee I invoiced them. I have left several messages for the owner, Mr. Brannon Ogburn, with no return phone calls. His VM will not even take any more messages. VM indicates it is full. It just really got to me when I saw this posting from someone employed by ETEC!

Super Dave 12 months ago

After dedicating over half my life to this profession and maintaining a perfect reputation as a trusted and well respected public servant, I am at my wits end! After losing several clients to dis-honest, unethical hack appraisers who would hit any number requested (at least I got the pleasure of watching those idiout clients eventually go out of business), I was forced to sign up with a large AMC.

I have worked almost exclusively for one of the biggest AMC's in the country (I won't mention the name since big brother is always listening) for the last two and a half years. During that time I have watched the fees drop further and further a the same time that the work hours increased more and more. Being paid less and less for more and more workhours eventually has its breaking point and I think I am just about there.

My modest condominium is soon to be foreclosed, I sold my drums, my guitars, my amps and finally, my congas. I have no assets left and now, I have been informed that the fees are being dropped further. $148 for a full 1004 - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME ! I am told by my AMC that I cannot decline an order and I have no input into the fee required to do a competent job. It is madness.

We should all go on strike April 1st if these shyster AMC money grubbn bastards don't follow the law and pay us our REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY FEES ! This is ridiculous ! It has come to the point of unfair business practice and our profession has been decimated.

I used to love my profession, now I am trying to figure out what my next career will be. Ugh

Appraiser in NC 12 months ago

I am posting this as an update to my prior post about ETEC. It appears I have been paid for the last one of the batch I referred to in my previous post. I don't love the company or any AMC's for that matter and probably wouldn't do business with them again, however, for the record, I have been paid all that I was due from ETEC.

I don't understand why we can't have an appraisers guild or union? We really need to get this reasonable & customary fee straight!

David 12 months ago

O.K. guys,

It seems like the National Association of Realtors can get laws passed because there such a big loby. We don't have anyone supporting us, RIGHT? So why the he-- don't we Unionize. I don't like unions but the foundation, ASB, AQB, not even our own State Boards care if we make a living or not. I drove all day on time for LSI to see a house way up in the mountains in Idaho. When I got there the home wasn't even on a foundation. I notified LSI and they didn't even pay for my mileage or time. The next time something similar happened, I went ahead and did the appraisal. I submitted a completed report to them. LSI wanted additional information, so I spent more time on the subject through county records. Then they sent me a cancellation for the appraisal and said they cancelled and were not going to pay any of my fee. NOT a Dime for running all over and doing what they requested. If we don't stop this will all be out of work. And by the way, I've just read here that appraisers say they are doing a 1004 for $150.00. ARE YOU FLIPPEN NUTS!!!!!! A degree in college, Trade courses, Two to three years training, Computer programs, Paper, E&O insurance, And driving your car in the ground for minimum wage. You are the ones who are driving our fees so low because you dumb asses are the ones wroking for nothing. YOU are killing our industry and giving the AMC's just what they want. So let get orginized and stop this before we're all broke. A lawyer (parctice of Law). A doctor (practice of Medicine), Appraisers are guided by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal PRACTICE. How long do you think Doctors and Lawyers would put up with this if this kind of thing was happening to their profession? Not very long. Difference is they are orginized, WE ARE NOT. When was the last time you shopped for the chepest operation?, or shopped for the chepest legal advice?. I rest my case.

David ID. 12 months ago

I with Super Dave,

I wonder what would they do if we all went on strike for just a couple of weeks, in this economy? I bet they would start listening. It's hard enought to get a bank a loan in this market. I'm with you Dave, Unfortunatly on of these dumb asses that posted here would go ahead and do the work and screw it up. What do we have to loose? The realtors don't like us because we ( mess up their over inflated prices) Lenders like Country Wide don't like us either for the same reason. We NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!

Mid Atlantic Guy 12 months ago

AppraiserLoft - good for volunteers. If you need to get paid avoid at all costs! We're waiting for payment for work completed 4 months ago. No one in their "accounting dept." is available to take phone calls. There has to be a sea change very soon to keep self respecting individuals in this profession.

Don 11 months ago

I stopped working for AMC's years ago (even before HVCC).

WHY? READ ALL of the above comments...WHY would one work for low wages (or no wages) and have to fight to receive one's compensation?

Appraisers ARE their worst enemies. Independent to a fault. The fault ..willing to accept work at unacceptable compensation.

I receive calls from AMC's frequently. They asked if we ever have worked with AMC's. YES, but noted that I do not negotiate my fee. End of conversation.

I remove lenders from MY 'approved list of lenders' for lack of compensation ..AND other reasons... it IS a 2 way street!

There are fewer and fewer local lenders (banks) that have created their own 'firewall' so that THEY can order their own appraisals on rotation from their own appraiser fee panel (one recent call from an AMC, the AMC rep came out a stated that the law REQUIRES use of an AMC....I laughed then advised them to send me the LAW that STATES a lender MUST use an AMC...it is just what THEY, an AMC, want you, the appraiser, & a lender to think). WHO are 'behind' most of the AMC's...APPRAISERS!!

I have been an Independent Fee Appraiser for roughly 20 years. I am not a 'grandfathered' realtor / banker turned appraiser. I do NOT hold a Realtor's license and never have (what a 'conflict of interest'... that's another conversation...). If one opportunity starts to sour (such as other independent fee appraisers making low compensation 'acceptable'), then there ARE other opportunities out there. If I am not compensated for my work, then I will look for other opportunities (isn't this 'normal' in the workplace?...If one works for someone and is unhappy about pay/work environment, does one not start looking elsewhere?).

IF appraisers ALL worked together for REASONABLE fees (yes, that means, WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WILL ACCEPT A FULL APPRAISAL WITH FULL LIABILITY FOR $125? If YOU said 'yes' then YOU are the 'problem'!), then the AMC's would have no choice BUT to PAY REASONABLE FEES (remember what the AMCs are charging for an appraisal,$400-600 per appraisal?...the MARKET accepts THOSE fees. An appraiser accepts $125? IF EVERY APPRAISER JUST SAID 'NO', THEN WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING A COMPENSATION 'PROBLEM').

APPRAISERS ARE THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES.

Just say NO !

California Apprsr. 11 months ago

I agree with ALL the complaints. The fees are low, turntimes are ridiculous, and do the lenders using AMCs realize that AMCs DO NOT have local MLS data and thus actually provide NO QUALITY CONTROL in terms of VALUATION. It's disgusting and I often wonder if the AMC problem will ever be exposed to an audience other than appraisers. These companies shake us down for 1/2 or more of the fee and provide no value-added service. All parties to HVCC approval should be ashamed of themselves for destroying the appraisal industry while giving the power to AMCS who have dimished the quality and accuracy of valuations significantly. IMPEACH COUMO for starters!

NJM 11 months ago

I have spent more time than I had anticipated reading through all these posts. I was in process of pulling comps for the morning's appts and suddenly felt a bit dizzy and desperately tired. I am not by far the picture of health but I am in tune for my age, I suppose. Well, in retrospect it appeared to me that I am just plain exhausted. Here's the deal. I DO get steady work from some of the names on the above list. I am able to barely make ends meet. I don't come here to complain about my fees after 11 years in the business exclusive in appraisals of blood, sweat, tears etc. I come here to ask myself outloud why I am putting myself in an early grave for this. I work about 20 hours a day on most days. Most of that time is comprised of actually preparing the appraisals. Before you say, "this jerk is rubbing it in our faces that he's busy", hold on. For you see, those 20 hours consists of the following. Get up early, pull comps for the day, usually no more than 2 appts a day, get on the road, pump regular gas in the car @$3.75 a gallon I borrowed from my girlfriend (my lincoln was repossed last year and have not been able to afford a cheap used car yet (at this point would hold my chin up high if I could afford a 2 door mini compact honda), get to the appt, do the inspection, get hassled into giving the borrower an immediate response on value on the spot (happens nine out of ten times-don't worry Holloywood would be proud to see my over-acted insincerity in my fake apology for not being able to do that-then deal with stupified looks from the borrower who wonders if I am a joke for not telling him the value on the spot-anyway), take comp photos (fun getting chased by homeowners thinking you are spying on their daughters or wives-a colleage of mine was acutally chased into a speed chase on the highway by an agressive homeowner after he took a photo of the front of his house for comp purposes), fun-fun limited comps in our aftermath market zig zagging all over town for the best comps, drive back, face traffic (recently traffic was rated the #1 reason for heartattacks over cocaine, heroin, caffeine, adderall, sex and happiness), finally get home (office is now my basement apt-my wife kicked me out of my 2 story mini-mansion last year she just got tired of me-that house is in foreclosure by the way-don't worry for me luckily I found someone who kind of likes me; you know the girl who lent me the car in which I put the cheapest possible gas); sit in my office chair-the seat part is now shaped like my ass from sitting there for so many hours sometimes I ask myself if this is what its like to be in a wheel chair); once ass hits that chair it only gets up for an ocassional head call. Now-long story short, its about 3-4 pm by the time I get back in the, ahem, "office". Once I begin the process ie scope of work, analysis, neighborhood understanding, etc, etc, etc, blah blah bla-blah, and once the appraisal is signed sealed and delivered it is-here it is folks the climax- 5 freakin' AM! I only browsed a little porn-sometimes I don't browse any porn at all. Joking aside people, forget the porn comment-sorry, is there something wrong with me? Why does it take me sooooo many hours to write an appraisal. For 165? Lets see. Thats around 13.75 an hour. Its better than kmart but not as good as target-around my part of town these 2 establishments have distinct differences in appearance, quality of clientele you may encounter, and service-not sure how it is elsewhere. Anywho, those jerks get to sleep a full 8 hours. That's what I am complaining about. Sleep. In other words, time=the most valuable substance in the world. Why am I doing this? Lets revolt. Hold hands in like in that grinch movie and sing holy songs singing "pay what we're worth, so I can sleep, and buy a honda, a 2 door, minimal rust please". You know, I mock because there is a whole lotta complainin' and no action. Stop relying on other organizations and boards and politicians to work it out for you. This is not going to pan out on its own, trust me. DO something, damn you! Do something! Right now!

JAL 11 months ago

Anyone having trouble getting paid from ISGN/Fiserv/GAC -Fees have always been low but recent merger with ISGN makes it impossible to get straight answer regarding payment- any suggestions

EPIC No More! 11 months ago

Epic Real Estate Solutions - have had to hammer these #$@^&'s for fees - Wondered why I started refusing assignments - when I explained that I haven't seen payment since mid 2010 to date they claimed they would research, no result - Once prodded again they claimed payments went out some unknown address, but haven't been cashed so `we'll stop payment and reship' - this has happened three times [interestingly same excuse each time] figure a 1099 will be sent elsewhere sometime in July!

Steel 11 months ago

NJN, I have to hand it to you. You make the case against AMCs better than anyone before you.

Working 20 hours a day at $165 a pop using a borrowed car and operating out of a basement apartment. I'd guess you don't have the best data sources either. Probably borrowing a Realtor's MLS access for data and I guess data confirmation doesn't happen. Figure, the worst that can happen to you is that someday you might get disciplined and lose your certification but then again that doesn't really seem like a big deal. In fact, it may bring you some relief.

For anyone on the federal regulatory side who sees these postings I think they provide a clear illustration of what the HVCC and AMCs have brought to collateral valuation. Its pretty ugly.

David  11 months ago

I have looked over and over the comments posted here and have decided one thing. I'm tired of the crying, even mine own post and the other posts here. It's up to us. So what I'm proposing Is for someone smarter than myself to start a movement to get organized. We can control our own future. But WE also need to get everyone to get on board. I do reviews, and some of the HITTING VALUE appraisals I have seen it the last year and a half have been unbelievable. Five miles to fins a custom home when there were ten similar speck homes with in a block of the subject. These are the same A-holes who are doing the $165.00 1004 appraisals. Problem is the board in my state requires you sign the complaint. Well I haven't so far but I'm sick and tired of these so called appraisers running a (what use to be a honorable career, in the mud. So I'm going to start turning the dumb asses in, might be a bad idea. But these are the same idiots that are destroying our future. Does anyone know who and how to start a association of someone who has some gonands tat could start an association? We have so many people that we all know that are appraisers. So my idea is lets get a way to get other appraisers like us involved. All cross the U.S. Get a web site so we can belong to that has one agenda. GET THE WAGES WERE WORK HARD FOR) Then we won't have to watch our futures go down the crapper. Anyone have the gut to get it started? If not, I don't want to hear any more of your crying. Let do something. We can break the AMC'c if they won't work with us. So who is INTERESTED??????? Lets get our own Boston Tea party Started. If not, Quit your damn crying. We can't do it on our own indivudially, But we can if do it together. And for the appraisers getting $165.00 for a 1004 full appraisal, you are not invited! WE Are goine to BURRY YOU. Any takers? Who's going to start this. Low fee appraisers need not apply, You have already shown your colors. And this site is a good place to start. So tell yoiur fellow appraisers about this and let them see the posts. Then askeed them if they are intrested in changing things. You could go to the ASB website and get ALL the appraiers Names, E-Mail or phone #'s from all over the U.S. get them intersesed. If not we desirve to go down. If you like the IDEA, Please let me Know and we'll all start from here.

FML 11 months ago

How about we start a FACEBOOK PAGE?

How about we start a web page that people can list comments similar to this that we can use for the news.

We could post things like our old income and new income, post things about how we are treated by an AMC. Post up to appraise it cost money, then it costs money to send the appraisal, then we give the AMC part of our cut.

How about we post up stories of all the people that have lost their home, are down to one car, have no food to feed their family.

How about we post up how the economy sucks so bad right now even if we wanted to leave with a degree there is nothing out there.

How about someone in a high place say something.

Hey who wrote the bill after HVCC sunset? Was it the guy who has several homes with zero interest???

Sam 11 months ago

At the fees appraisers are getting paid they have nothing to lose. By the time their work gets investigated and they get disciplined the economy may have righted itself and they can move on to a more lucrative career and the AMC just plugs in another low baller.

Since AMCs pay such low fees and have a monopoly on the work the appraisal license is virtually worthless. There is no incentive for an appraiser in foreclosure, working out of a basement apartment with his girl friend's car and borrowered Realtor's MLS access to do credible work. He is simply buying time.

CN 11 months ago

Just in case any of you are wondering if AppraiserLoft has gotten any better over the past year, it hasn't. They ask that you do not send in an invoice with the property as your payment is automatically generated after 30 days. Well, this is an absolute lie. After 2 months of constant calling and sending emails to the address they insisted we send them (for appraisals that were 4 months old), the last email we received said "we will send out the check as soon as we can." No joke, word for word. Then we are told the check had been sent out on the 8th of February. We get it the 16th with a postmarked date of the 15th. Suspiciously we get this check a day after we threaten to take our debt collection to the next level. Not to mention their 250.00 fee for an FHA appraisal on a 3,000 sq. ft. house. Funny that they expect YOU to do what you're supposed to do ON TIME, but they don't return the favor. Really not worth the time and frustration.

Bob 11 months ago

Appraiser Loft is the worst at paying. CN is right they havent changed. I got an email stating check was "already sent". It was for appraisals done 5 months ago!!!

JAL i just got called from ISGN to get added to their roster. Maybe I'll pass if they dont pay on time either. They also want a background check that looks like I have to pay for.

Tom 11 months ago

I read many of these threads and agree that moast AMC are terrible.

I do like Guideline AMC and Lendervend. I work in Wisconsin and they are picky who they hire (must be certified and have great references), but if accepted these are great. I've worked more for Guideline than Lendervend, but they are good. I get $375 for most FHA and $300 for Cnventional and these are starting points. I dont gouge my clients and I give great service.

I f you are reading this, maybe try and find a lender using Guideline or Lendervend or an AMC like this and ask for a referral.

My top 3 are as foillows:

1. Guideline AMC

2. Lendervend

3. LSI

Good luck

David 11 months ago

Anyone ready for a class action lawsuit? AMC's are not paying reasonable and customary. Not even close. As for LSI being good. O.K. I'll give you that they pay fairly fast. But the low fees are pathetic. But they hound you daily for an update when you already have an apointment set. Then if they don't like the value you gave on your appraisal they want you to find more comparables, active listings and anything else they could use to try to get you to up the value. I know because I use to do work for them. THe law already says reasonable and customary. They are already violating the law, and were are the ones who are held accountable not them.

Arkansas Appraiser  11 months ago

Ive pretty much worked soley for AMC,s for the first 5 years in the business and still maintain alot of thier business. Ive learned which ones are crap and which ones are Ok(as there are no really good ones). LSI is the best one I think. It may only be because there is not alot of other appraisers in my area that use them so I am getting a good fee/split. Appraiser loft is terrible, the take foreevr to pay so I quit using them. Eapprais it... I gave them up the first time I got called by a a call center in India trying to explian a crazy Q/A issue to me. Finiti is worse than LSI about the calls,email, and even Faxes. I am on the list with most of my local banks and get a steady volume from them, but LSI still sends the most. I do dislike the AMCs but they are here to stay and we all just need to learn how to manaage them and not let them take advantage of us by crappy work,low fees, etc

Appraisals for N California 11 months ago

They are all garbage! Throw them out with the baby and the bath water too. I am tired of working for them. I am maintaining my license but I have had enough. AMCs must go!

MB Appraisal 11 months ago

Etec Appraisal Management Solutions late payments have become a problem in our office. We have left over 20 voicemails and emails with no response from Etec for the current balance of over $1,100 past due. I warn all other appraisers to be careful with dealing with this AMC or to avoid them all together. We are now going to attempt to contact Etec's lenders directly to get some resolution. I will update this posting with any new developments.

David, Idaho 11 months ago

Well today I've pretty much seen it all. Not only did I get a order from a appraisal management company today for a reduced fee, But now they have another company that sends and tracks the orders that I have to make a credit card payment to before I can upload the order. Now I'm getting nailed twice for an order. This crap has got to come to a stop.

BP 10 months ago

GUESS WHO WAS HUD SECRETARY WHEN HUD LETTER 97-46 WAS WRITTEN THAT ALLOWED 3RD PARTY FEES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE APPRAISAL FEE. THIS SINGLE HUD LETTER, WRITTEN BACK IN 1997 HAS DESTROYED OUR INDUSTRY. BY THE WAY ANDREW CUOMO WAS THE HUD SECRETARY WHEN THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN. HE ALSO WAS FORMER LEGAL COUNSEL TO AN AMC. FOLLOW THE MONEY AND THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS BE EXPOSED. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN WHITE COLLAR CRIME THAT WAS PLANNED OVER 14 YEARS AGO. OUR LEVERAGE IS DECLINING EVERYDAY AS THE BANK-OWNED AMC'S ARE HIRING LIKE BANDITS TO CIRCUMVENT PAYING C&R FEES. WE JUST GOT LANDSAFE'S UPDATED FEE SCHEDULE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE FOR NYS AND THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME FEES. THESE AMC'S FORGIVE MY LANGUAGE ARE SCUMBAGS. I AM GOING TO KEEP MY LICENSE CURRENT BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME I HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING AND UNFORTUNATLEY IT WILL HAVE TO BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN APPRAISING SOMETHING THAT I HAVE ENJOYED FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS.

BDK 10 months ago

After reading these comments I am scared. As an appraiser you should be able to write and spell. At least look it over for errors. Keys stick but my goodness. 23 years in the business and too old to start over. Our industry is going down the tubes due to lack of leadership. I will not accept fees I made in 1985. I lose work but someone is there to fill the void. I hope to keep afloat until wiser minds are in charge and realize that the big 4 banks are calling all the shots.

Pat 10 months ago

I have been dealing with PCV Murcor for almost 10 years. This year (2011), I am told that on top of knowing the area I am being asked number of times I appraised in the town last 6 months and number of times I appraised in the town 12 months.

David Idaho 10 months ago

PCV Murcor is junk. I quit working for them two years ago. They kept wanting more and more but wanted to pay less and less. And they called me constantly. But today I was told something all appraisers should be aware of. I have worked for a particular AMC for a few years now and had no few problems with them, and a lot of orders. Although they didn't pay reasonable and customary fees either but it was better than nothing. Well, at the first of the year my work from them stopped. Not one appraisal request. So I called to ask why, as I was told by them I was one of their favorite appraisers. Well, My assigner told me that they were only using the lowest fee appraisers so they could show a lower customary fee when the new law takes effect in April. So the AMC'C are going to use their lowest fees to show that is reasonable and customary. What a bunch of crap. The assigner told me if they kept using me the average dcustomary fee would be higher and their goal is to get the fees as low as possible. Can you believe this garbage?

East Coast Pro 10 months ago

It astonishes me that there are appraisers actually working for the likes of 1)LSI the QA company staffed by form filler rejects under intense pressure from their supervisor to find a problem, any problem with your appraisal, 2)AppraiserLoft the "we pay 4-6 months from date of inspection with $ received for our most recent orders" company; and 3)StreetLinks, well.....here's a paragraph from Business Week:

"Take NovaStar Financial (NFI) in Kansas City, Mo. A large subprime lender during the housing boom, NovaStar was disciplined by three states—Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington—for such infractions as employing unlicensed brokers and charging unlawful fees. Without admitting wrongdoing, the company paid $5.1 million in 2007 to settle similar allegations in a class action brought on behalf of borrowers. After its mortgage business collapsed, NovaStar morphed into an AMC last year by acquiring another company and renaming it StreetLinks National Appraisal Services.

OptionJohn 10 months ago

If the name Steve Haslam sounds familiar, he is NovaStar's former chief of retail lending. NovaStar Financial, a large subprime lender during the housing boom, was disciplined by three states — Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington — for such infractions as employing unlicensed brokers and charging unlawful fees. Although admitting no wrongdoing, the company paid $5.1 million in 2007 to settle allegations in a class action brought on behalf of borrowers. After its mortgage business collapsed, NovaStar morphed into an AMC last year by acquiring another company and renaming it StreetLinks National Appraisal Services

KEVIN 10 months ago

DOES ANYBODY WORK FOR OR HAS DONE WORK FOR APPRAISAL BROKER LLC THAT CAN GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT ON THE QUALITY OF THIS AMC?

Sean from VA 10 months ago

I love the fact that some of you can get your fees from AMC's for $300 or more, but aren't we all forgetting about the young stiffs out there, including yours truly, that work under an appraisal company, that takes more than half of that $300 fee from the AMC? It's great they send us the work but from a $400 appraisal fee to start it goes to the AMC at $230 and then when I get the order it's down to $130...In addition, I get just as many correction requests as I do orders...I have not sent in a perfect appraisal for the last month according to the AMC's...and the guidelines to adhere to are almost insane....I heard Target was hiring midnight stockers.

Arizona Dan 10 months ago

Take it from a guy who was complaining on these message boards just 6 months ago...SIGN UP WITH VALUE TREND SOLUTIONS!!! They are awesome. As long as I get my work done on time, they give me as much work as I want. They pay full fee and pay me every two weeks for all completed files. They really are the exact opposite of everyone's complaints above...

jermyn 10 months ago

Months ago I vowed not to accept assignments that were not paying between $330 and $400. I stuck to my guns and one company raised their fees. Somehow I am managing to hang in there, but work is so slow in coming in I worry a lot.

Minnesota Buck 10 months ago

From what I have read from all the responses, you have to stick to your guns, yes it is tuff but for the quality of work required and to maintain your professional statis as an appraiser. STICK TO YOUR FEES, ANY ONE WORKING FOR LESS THAN $400 / APPRAISAL IS NOT DOING THEM SELF JUSTICE. YOU ARE WORTH IT AND IF EVERYONE DID THIS IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL.

NEXT TIME YOU WORK FOR LESS ASK YOUR SELF IF THE AMC WILL BE BY YOUR SIDE WHEN YOU MAKE AN ERROR, WE ALL DO SOONER OR LATER.

DISCLOSURE 10 months ago

OF ALL THE DISCLOSURE THAT IS REQUIRED IN THE REALESTATE INDUSTRY. HOW ABOUT THIS??

WHY IS IT AMC'S ARE CHARGING $500-$600 TO THE BORROWER AND CALLING IT THE APPRAISAL FEE?

I THINK THE APPRAISER IS JUSTIFIED IN COLLECTING HIS FAIR SHARE OF THIS ($400) AFTER ALL HE HAS THE LIABILITY & THE TIME AND THE RESEARCH INTO THE APPRAISAL.

Carlos 10 months ago

I'm not sure what the complaint about LandSafe is. I did about 80k of work for them in 2010 and they always pay me within one to two weeks. The fee is anywhere from $280-$355 and pretty much hassle free. Could be better, but it is what it is. Good luck to all of you.

Mark 10 months ago

Hold out for $400? I think that's crazy. I'll do work for anything above $300. Sure it is less than I am used to, but the amount of work I get is staggering. I'm on pace to make about 100k this year...

The Appraiser with No Voice 9 months ago

My story is just like most other appraisers. I have been in this business for 15 years and I have a 4 year college degree. When I started my business, my minimum fee was $275.00 with my average fee being $325.00. Occasionally I worked for AMCs with fees typically between $250.00-$275.00. I would only work for the lower fees if I had extra time on my hands which was almost seldom. I built my business with hard work and dedication. After about 4 years, my local clientele list was numerous and my expensive internet advertisement finally paid off. Appraisal fees from approximately 2000-2009 were typically $350.00 to $400.00 unless complicated assignments in which I received additional fee. While busy, I never accepted more work than I could handle. I had an office with a secretary and the most trainees I ever had were two (no appraisal mill here). With the implication of HVCC in May of 2009, I lost 95% of my business. I had to let go my dedicated hardworking staff. I moved my office to my house. I got on the AMC lists that my clients used but never got an order. It was only until I became desperate enough to lower my fees from $350.00 to $200.00 (attempted at $325, then $300, then $275, then $250, then $225 with no success) that I finally started receiving work. I also learned how to get work from sitting at my computer refreshing my screen every few seconds in an attempt to get orders by accepting the quickest (LandSafe/Bank of America). Considering that I spend approximately 10 hours per assignment, I can only handle four USPAP-compliant and lender-specific-requirement appraisal reports a week while raising two children as a single parent. So figure the math here...after monthly taxes, gas, E&O insurance, software, MLS, business operating expenses, the profit amounts to receiving low-income wages. StreetLinks pays me $200.00 a report. LandSafe/BOA pays me $260.00 a report but I receive only the leftover, complicated assignments that their staff appraisers reject. They advertise their orders (quickest to click it, gets it) via AppraisalPort which costs the appraiser $10 to upload their completed reports. I can't get an AppraiserLoft or PCV Murcor assignment now since they are sent via blast emails where again the quickest to click it, gets it. Most of these assignments are accepted by appraisers paying for a software that catches the assignment almost instantly. Their appraisal fees are $200-240. Well thanks to AMCs, I am broke. I am foreclosing on my beautiful home that I raised my two precious children since they were 2 months and two years old. I have already foreclosed on two investment properties. I can't pay my credit cards so I endure the harassing phones calls every day repeatedly for 10-12 hours. I am 44 years old but I am continuously having to borrow money from my retired mom who is 74 years old. I buy food from Angel Food Ministries, my kids eat free at their schools, I constantly have to call the utility companies to extend due dates, my cell phone has been disconnected twice this year, my family has no health insurance, the tires on my 10 year old car needed to be replaced eight months ago. I have absolutely no idea where I will go when the bank kicks my babies and me out of our beloved home. Even worse, I currently will be using my 13 year old daughter's birthday money to pay for groceries, Easter candy and gas while I wait on checks for appraisal reports I completed over a month ago. Most people say (including my mom), just get another job. I could but regardless most jobs in my area pays $15.00/hour or less and under 40 hour work weeks. So realistically I am making what the majority of others are making in my community. The unemployment rate in my city is slightly over 10%. There are so many people, some just as or more educated than me, looking for a new career. If I could just get a heartfelt message out to anyone who will listen it would be just to do the right thing. AMCs, pay your appraisers accordingly based on customary and reasonable fees. You all found a loophole with the Frank and Dodd Act. You and your overpriced attorneys are all still laughing at us underpaid, desperate appraisers. Banks and mortgage companies, please don't use AMCs unless you know they are paying appraisers customary and reasonable fees. Do you even have to go through an AMC for your appraisals? I receive some full fee orders via Alamode's Mercury Network. If AMCs are used, pay them a standard fee for their services, but make sure the appraiser is getting paid accurately and separately from the AMCs fees (BTW, $350.00 is a standard appraisal fee which can be verified by calling any appraiser in the phone book). Streetlinks, LandSafe, PCV Murcor, AppraisalLoft are the AMCs I have dealt with. All of these AMCS have taken advantage of the HVCC which believe it or not, I was happy at first to hear about. You would not believe the harassing phone calls and emails from many disgruntled loan officers (mostly non-local) I dealt with when I couldn't make their high values. That was okay though because when they blacklisted me I was able to solicit back then and I was independent to work elsewhere. When HVCC went into effect, I thought AMCs would just add another $100.00 for their services and pay the appraisers their customary fees of $350.00 and everyone would be happy. Yes, the homeowners would pay more but it was necessary to make sure appraisers were appraising with no pressure. AMCs did tact on their additional fees but then they got greedy and instead of hiring the most competent, experienced appraisers they hired the most willing to accept the lowest fees and quickest turn times so their profit margins would increase. I do realize we live in a harsh and unfair world, but I am just so tired that the rich keep getting richer off the backs of the common American. We are all being taken advantage of, not just appraisers, since every one of us who works pays taxes. We, the taxpayers, bailed the banks out in our attempt to recover from the recession but the people with the little voices still suffer. If all the little voices all pulled together to create one bigger voice, then maybe, just maybe, we will be listened too. STOP THE GREED! Also visit AppraisersForum.com for additional reference of these Top 10 Appraisal Management Companies who more than likely paid to get listed as top 10. There is a petition to sign for anyone who is supportive of appraiser independence and their inability to work independently unless they accept low fees and quick turn times. Homeowners who used any of these Top 10 AMCs and any AMC and have a story, please do tell. We need more than just the appraisers stories since the petition is not just about making more money but mainly about utilizing the most experienced and geographically competent appraisers when valuing your homes in today's market. While desperate appraisers like myself do take on such assignments, it is only until we are fortunate to get hired by decent AMCs paying customary and reasonable fees or get out of the profession altogether leaving the work to young and inexperienced appraisers cutting corners to get out as many appraisals per week so that they can support their minimal and carefree life styles.

Broke 9 months ago

AMC's are a joke. CoreLogic actually lowered there fees on April 1. They actually pay a call center located in India to call shop for LOW fees and turn time. Yes 1/2 of our fees hard at work. The middle man is getting rich and the Appraiser is going broke. Lets see, Financial institutions and Realtors are still getting there full fees or percentages and the Appraiser is the one to suffer. What about the banks that have there own internal AMC they are raping us.

What happened? 9 months ago

It appears I have made the mistake of starting my own appraisal company this year. After seven years of experience I have applied to about 20 of the "most reputable" amcs, particularty the ones I have had a long service with and those recommended on this page (avoiding the ones with the most negative feedback). After a month I have not received one reply except 'if there is any interest or openings we will contact you'.

SoCalAppraiser1 9 months ago

Appraiserloft Net 30-45 was bad enough in this economy where orders are scarce and fees are way too low. Appraiserloft is now over 60 days past due. They promised to process a check last Thu. 4/28/2011, but I got no confirmation e-mail (their standard practice), and I haven't received a check in the mail. Anyone else having this problem?

OhioApprzr 9 months ago

My question is...where has the work gone? All year work has been steady, last week it dropped off like a rock. No work coming in from anyone. HUD work has stopped, AMC work has stopped, ALL work has come to a halt with no explanation.

Anyone have any answers?

OhioApprzr 9 months ago

SAMCO AMC

Shives Appraisal Co.

Check it out, you may see some similarities between the 2 companies.

Joe Blow 9 months ago

AMC's will hire my gardener to complete the assignment just as long as my gardener is the cheapest....that way the AMC can skim the most fee off of the top!

Travis 9 months ago

I've been in business as an appraiser for 24 years. Until HVCC, I never worked with an AMC. I didn't need to as I built a solid reputation for accurate, ethical, fast and reasonably priced appraisals. In the past year I have started working with a number of the big AMC's in order to keep working. The fees that are being paid are less than I charged when I started out. There's more work and less independence. The lack of respect from the real estate industry for appraising is dumbfounding for me. I'm 47 now and have no idea what to do for a living. Just venting, but there's got to be a better way!

Bob White 9 months ago

Just saw the letter from, eTEC Appraisal Management Solutions. I warn you, do not do any work for this company. You will not get paid for your appraisal. Thats as simple as I can put it!!!!!!!!

PeeOwed 8 months ago

I have dealt with Appraiser Loft for a few years and have always had to bug them about payment. Recently it has gotten worse as I have not received a check in four months and am owed almost $4000. I have left messages with their accounting department and sent four emails.

In the last voicemail and email I told them a complaint would be filed with the Division of Finance and Corporate Securities and I will contact the lenders they use and advise them not to use them as them as well. Might have ruined my "relationship" with them but, as a friend of mine put it "if they aren't paying you they aren't a client."

Abas 8 months ago

I have very the same problem with appraiser-loft they did not pay me for almost 3 months and the bill is getting bigger and bigger anytime I try to talk to them nobody is there and after they get back to you they come up with some es-cusses like sorry she was sick or she is gone or some kind of lie

nyappraiser 8 months ago

To Ohioapprzr - I see the same thing here - all of a sudden the work has stopped !! The interest rates are the lowest ever and yet there are no appraisal orders. Could someone please explain what is happening ? When you call the AMC there only response is it is very slow ?

RE Appraiser 8 months ago

An AMC cannot "manage" appraisers if they do not have any! If you work with AMCs "YOU" are part of the problem. I have been an appraiser for over 30 years and do not work with AMCs, so I know it can be done! Good luck with the AMC work!

Jo Ann donahue 8 months ago

Thanks for all the above information. I am finally slow and have applied to work for amc's after 18 years of dealing with direct lenders. The above information is really an eye opener.

G-Man 8 months ago

So who are these appraisers that are quick on the draw for accepting $200 assignments? Is that really all you need to make???? If one of you quickies reads this why don't you tell us your story? Why work so cheap?

Knkb 8 months ago

Is this list the top ten AMC's who made money? Because it appears AppraiserLoft has made their money by not paying the appraisers! Basically the AMC takeover is a form of big business taking down the mom&pop shop with government legislation paving the way. Instead of governing and detering the few bad apples, corrupt appraisers and lending institutions(Countrywide,etc.) -Easy way. They decide to turn it all upside down with a haste made conduct code of detrimental proportions. -Hard way. The business module we appraisers work in was basically changed 90% overnite. It appears the appraiser has taken the brunt of the decisions from the lending fallout, as always the smallest guy gets hit the worse. Lower fees, increased data demand, less time allowed, increased costs all around(gas,ins,comp,lic) for an appraisal report. I may not get to hear "Why did your appraisal come in so low"(Let's not kid it still happens) but now I get to hear "Why did your appraisal deviate from the 20+ pages of Lender (unrealistic) guidlines" of which 95% have nothing to do with USPAP or FHA. Just need to point out all the requested commentary with a crayon for the 5 minute audit reviewer of my report which took me 5+ hours to complete. It seems like the goal is to make martket valuation into a rigid formula of which it will never be. Early on I was told appraising is an Art not a Science, and it holds true! Maybe if we note in the addendum, this appraisal is a work of Art, we can get a deserved reasonable fee?

-I have worked for a few of the AMC's and have over 10+ years experience.

AppraiserLoft got me too, ripoff!

Streetlinks has a lot of guidlines but pay like clockwork.

Landsafe lowered their fees in my area.

48Hr Network sounds like an issue, I never worked for them but good luck if you get a complex assignment with that timeline.

I'm on with a few others listed but have never received an assignment?

-I hear good things about LSI but they want $125 for applying? Get you going in the door.

Home buyer in IA 8 months ago

I just changed lenders because my original lender ordered my appraisal through Streetlinks... It took over two weeks to get the guy out there and when he showed up he was a jerk. After he badmouthed my potential home, I told him not to bother completing the appraisal because I wanted a professional to appraise my future home and biggest purchase. Turned out I had to pay for it anyway...

I changed to a new lender that used GAMC, which I think was Guideline AMC. THe apprasier was AWESOME. She knew the market and the neighborhood. Shesaid GAMC wsa the only AMC she would work with. I asked why... She said she gets paid more, shesaid the staff was "extremely nice" and she said she could talt to an appraiser when she needs help or has questions. She said the President actualy called her for aphone interview.

My house rocks and my appraiser rocks. Her name was Claudia.

-Charles

~A~ Secretary 7 months ago

It has been a rough rough year....refreshing LandSafe like a compulsive gambler. Chins up though all, things can only get better from here :) OPtimism is all we have left.

The One 7 months ago

Anyone complaining: check out Value Trend. They rock and they actually stand behind me when the client disagrees with my value.

driveangry9000 7 months ago

Well I've been working with Solidifi for about two years now and I'm very impressed by the fees they offer,as well as the fact that they treat me like an independent contractor. No intrusive micromanagement with incessant phone calls just straight forward work. They expect the appraisers to be responsible for themselves and stringently review the work. They pay FULL FEE which has been almost impossible to get from most of the AMCs including Streetlinks and Appraiser Loft around these parts.

We have to stand up for our profession or these thieves are going to wipe us out. I don't think AMCs are good for the appraisal profession. I think we've been duped and screwed into a corner due to the "Boom" when alot of our bretheren "rubber stamped" out of whack appraisal work. Due to that situation, I think the lenders realized our profession was not organized and dove for the soft spot. Now they have alot of us by the throats.

Bill from New York 7 months ago

As many of the AMC's go out of business (25 states have passed legislation, 12 are pending), start to calculate how much you stand to get stiffed for. Once you do, look up "Preferential Payment Clause" and re-calculate. That will be the only time that you, as an appraiser, will be glad you got paid as little as you did.

David North Carolina 6 months ago

What is going on with the AMCs. Don't hear alot from the street. Are there many closing down?

Ralph Pittsburgh, Pa 6 months ago

eTEC Ams. Please note this company id out of business!!!!

Charleston Appraiser 6 months ago

PLEASE do NOT do business with AppraiserLoft. They "guarantee" payment to appraisers within 30 days but NEVER pay anywhere near on time. The accounting department's phone # goes straight to voicemail, and messages and emails aren't ever returned. They collect appraisal fees up front, and hold the money for as long as they can to collect interest...all while the person who actually did any work is left with nothing. APPRAISERLOFT IS THE SCUM OF THE APPRAISAL INDUSTRY!!!!!

SCOTT 6 months ago

Just got off the phone with appraisaloft, I was told I am taking USPAP too Literial... when I advised a compliant would follow to OREA I got a supervisior who said I missunderstood the CSR, the pendleum is swinging back to apppraiser side , when this market turns DUMP the bad AMC, they will die a slow death.

If your an appraiser, understand the profession is losing appraisers faster than I have seen in 25 years, Just FIRE appraiallot as a client. Also I billed the client when invoice reaches 45 days I only had to do this once and now I am paid in 30 days.

bob 6 months ago

Anyone heard of AXIS AMC?

Do they pay on time

Cee Cee 6 months ago

AXIS wants you to sign a agreement to take lower than customary or usual fees. I was told by a AXIS rep that I need to agree to the lower than customary fees while they decide if you are going to communicate with them. They also want you to communicate if the property is not going to appraise at the purchase price so they can pay you a trip fee instead of for a whole appraisal as this will their client money. Wait a minute doesn't that sound like I just gave you an appraisal. Appraisers need to watch who they get in bed with. This company could cost you your license if you're not careful.

Ryan 5 months ago

In accordance to the complaints about AppraiserLoft... The were in debt to me up to 5 1/2 months and over $3,000 until I looked up the client's president and emailed him letting him know that I had not yet been paid by Appraiserloft... He gave me the Vice President of the company's name and email address. I emailed her and told her who I had talked to (the President of their client's company) and she took care of my payments within a month's time... Her name is Michele Chochrek and her email is Michele@appraiserloft.com...

DL 5 months ago

I'd love to see a list of Top Regional Appraisal Management Companies. Check out http://www.firstchoicenorthwest.com - they're the best I've come across for the NW Region.

Phil 5 months ago

Streetlink...not recommandable in Palm Springs area! our renovated place has been appraised $5000 less than same goods non renovated! Definitly not understanding of the market!!!

Chris 4 months ago

You should check out aasolutions. They don't charge you for a list. They sign you up with the AMC's. You get like 6 new AMC's per month for less than $30 bucks.

They also have the auto-accept service for the ones that email blast.

rainmain 4 months ago

My question is where is the leadership in the appraisal industry. Lenders have to have appraisals. They need use. There is strength in numbers so why don't we "unionize" and have a voice. I know it sounds like a perfect world but if we all banded together we could dictate what we wanted. If they did not meet our terms / negotiated rates then no loans would close. See how fast they would meet our terms then.

BETSY 4 months ago

My top AMC is Collateral Management

http://www.collateralmanagement.org

Valueman 4 months ago

First Valuation is a nationwide real estate valuation services company that provides collateral valuations by licensed and certified real estate appraisers. Our service includes managing a panel of fee appraisers and performing the administrative and quality assurance elements needed to process and fulfill the highest quality individual appraisal assignments.

Patrick 4 months ago

AppraiserLoft is officially on my Blacklist. I do not have time to continually try to collect payment for work I've done for them 5 months ago. If you work for AppraiserLoft don't expect to get paid unless it's been 4+ months and you've called at least 3-5 times for payment.

Andrew 4 months ago

I also had a lot of problems with AppraiserLoft. They would wait 4 to 6 months to send me a payment. Never again!

I had to switch to CollateralManagement.org

Unlike these other AMC companies, they pay on time and have good customer service.

Marc 4 months ago

I worked in QC for Nations Valuation Service and we were all temporary help. I have never had an appraisal class and when I wanted to they would never let me have tiime away to do so. I never got pass working for $12 and hour as they said they could not afford to pay more than that for the review work. We have to review 8 reports an hour to make quota or we got fired. I hated it and moved on. Blood suckers...not one person in there was a licensed appraiser.

John 4 months ago

Due to Appraiser Loft being #2 on this list, the ENTIRE list is not credible. OBVIOUSLY NO APPRAISERS were interviewed for this list! This is simply a commercial for these companies. Appraisal Loft is the WORST AMC on the planet! If ou have done ANY work for them you know that they are filth and should be in jail and out of business! Even I know this and all it would take was to make a phone or email to the first appraiser that EVER worked for them and an ENTIRE can of worms would have opned up and would know that this is the 2nd AMC by this owner. He should be in jail and penniless!

socalappraiser1 4 months ago

So far, Streetlinks is the best payer. They pay within 30 days by ACH directly into your bank account. Their website is a bit combersome (prior to appraising, I was in IT for 20+ years, most recently as a web producer, producing web based business applications so I know of which I speak). I have had a few QC corrections or questions that could only come from someone without an education in real estate appraisal, but not many.

Scott D 4 months ago

TOP 10 WORST PAYING AMC'S! Appraisal Loft pays twice a year! DO NOT WORK FOR THESE SCUM BAGS!

OH Appraiser 4 months ago

This top list is bogus! I worked with a few of them and they never pay on time!

I've been dealing with http://www.CollateralManagement.org/ and so far they are the only AMC which I can't complain about.

Julie A 4 months ago

Appraisal Loft owes me $1,180 for appraisals I did back in June 2011. It's now Oct. 2011 and they keep telling me your check is being sent out next week...RIGHT! They want the appraisal report back to them in 3 days but not the same when it comes to paying you. STAY AWAY FROM THIS AMC!!

Joe joe 4 months ago

I said before we should strike no one listens. we should join the wall street farcus.

BHO Must Go! 4 months ago

www.eValuationsDirect.com does it correctly. I get paid my regular fee directly from the client. No fuss, no muss. All this complaining about low fee's? If you do your job, communicate your report correctly, READ YOUR REPORT BEFORE SEND IT, eValuations Direct will see that your paid for it. Per disclosure guidelines, your invoice is to be seperate anyway from the managment services. Appraisers own and manage it. Easy work in my market areas and paid within a week. Hey, complainers, don't ruin this one for us too causing the HVCC. Do your job, don't sell your integrity, and you won't have to settle for lower fees.

socalappraiser1 4 months ago

I do my job, and I take pride in it. Appraiserloft is into me for $10,000 now. $5,300 of it is due now or up to 75 days past due. I have no problem with appraiserloft's fees. They've been very open to increasing the fee whenever I've asked. They say the problem is their accounting system which they have scheduled to replace in Nov. this year. All of this is well and good, but all 20,000 of their appraisers are human beings and I would hope professionals. We need to get paid according to appraiserloft's own rule which is Net 30 days. Without appraiserloft, my workload would be minimal, certainly not enough to sustain a livelyhood. They keep me working 24/7. I just need to see the fruits of all my hard work. Oh yeah, and pay my obligations. Kinda hard to be an appraiser if you're homeless.

john 4 months ago

just a side note ...appraisal loft supposedly closed its doors....were all screwed !!!!!

socalappraiser1 4 months ago

Yes, they closed their doors on Friday. Let all their employees go saying they would be paid this week, but they won't. Outgoing message at their offices said they were closed in observance of Columbus day yesterday, but they've never been closed on a holiday before. I'm done, I'm going to lose my house after working for 2 years to get a modification.

Debbie 4 months ago

I'm owed about $2,000 from AppraiserLoft. Is there any way to get paid?

Oscar 4 months ago

Most of the appraisers I know stopped working with appraisal loft a few months ago because they never paid on time and now they close shop. How ironic! They still owe me a few hundred dollars that I doubt I will ever get paid on.

I started using http://www.collateralmanagement.org because they are one of the only AMCs who I actually don't need to run after in order to get paid. Hopefully Collateral Management continues doing business the same way.

salvo 4 months ago

Appraisal loft lied and kept me hanging for the $5,500.00 they owed me in service fees. Annette in accounting lied straight out saying the check is definetly in the mail. .thank god i got suspicious and stopped taking orders..Now, like others, Im screwed and behind on my mortgage as I was depending on this, really...who do we go after now for our hard earned money, andrew coumo, congress, dodd-frank or the senate?? ..As appraisers, we knew this service would require taking money before the finished product was delivered..we are forced to go through AMC'S AND FORCED TO WAIT ON OUR FEES....THANKS Andrew coumo, congress, senate, dodd frank and hvcc...you have all done a great job ruining families just like yours. Remember Karma sucks!

Bryan 4 months ago

I was able to get a great list of appraisal management companies at http://www.appraiserincome.com

The key here is to COUNTER OFFER all orders, do not request low paying amc orders!!! If you counter everything at a customary and reasonable rate to include additional fees for UAD, 1004MC and all the other changes that have affected the industry in the past few years, you will find that you will make a LOT more money and work a LOT less!

COUNTER ALL OFFERS / WORK LESS / GET PAID MORE!!!!

Appraiser no longer by choice 3 months ago

Ahhh. Corelogic. You remember - the AMC being sued by the FDIC. The company that spearheaded low, fabricated "customary and reasonable" fees. Appraisers beware! They will throw you under the bus for any infraction. This appraiser regretfully forgot a necessary comment (as did their trusty reviewers.) After the client noted the missing comment an officious representative from Corelogic called me and threatened disciplinary action for this USPAP offense. Never did he ask for a revision or pretend to work "with" the appraiser to rectify the situation or note the track record of accurate work completed for his company. Fellow appraiser - you have read this and are now apprised of the business practices of Corelogic. Proceed with caution and accept orders from this group only at your peril!

pissed off 3 months ago

I have been in the industry for 22 years. I am so fed up with this f'ng AMC's...More work, less fee. More trouble..It seems there is a federal labor hiring quota of blithering idiots that needed to be filled and they all landed jobs w/amc's. I have some clients who pay good fees and don't give you crap. I have other clients who pay 1/3 t0 1/2 half less, but the crap out of you multiple times a day for updates, etc...and then come back w/the most ridiculous revision requests...and wonder why I don't do there work first!!! LOL .. one here - KA - is the worst...theyt keep you so damn busy w/there stupid update requests that you spend so much time on their website giving incessant updates that you can get the g.d. file done to begin with...anybody do work for proteck?...alot of citibank stuff comes through them...they want so much, for less, that i will now start given blood, urine, and stool samples w/all reports as they will probably request those also sometime soon.

Valuequestor 3 months ago

By my count four of these "Top Ten" Rip off artists are now out of business....and not because they were paying appraisers well. hint hint. What bs

Scott 3 months ago

If anybody out there is doing any appraisal for under 300.00 you are working for beer money. Call the AMC's that you are currently working for and tell them you will not complete another order for under 300.00. If they will not agree to that then tell them to kiss your ass on State and Madison and move on.

socalappraiser1 3 months ago

Anyone get ripped-off by Appraiserloft and know how to get them to pay you now? I read that the AMC's have to be bonded, anyone try contacting the bonding agent?

howard hill 3 months ago

try RBH AMC. HOUSTON AND MISSOURI CITY TEXAS. PAID WEEKLY.

Benjamin Brunner 3 months ago

It's unfortunate to see so many good appraisers being forced to exit the industry because they are not being paid what they are worth. My company, Nationwide Property & Appraisal Services, takes a different approach...We are selective with those that we work with, but once signed on, the appraisers are paid a fair wage and on-time! We also only use licensed appraisers and knowledgeable underwriters to review the reports, each of which are manually reviewed prior to delivery. I am not one to say bad things about another company, as I can only speak for what we do and will not do. That being said, our appraisers are happy (testimonials to prove it), our clients are surprised when they experience the level of service we provide, and we are fully compliant with all applicable laws and requirements. Nationwide is proud of its reputation and will continue to provide this same level of service to each new client and appraiser we work with. Find me on Twitter or LinkedIn and I would be happy to provide you with additional information.

Oldappraiser 2 months ago

Those of you that work with the AMCs' allow them to continue in business and kick our collective azz. Find other clients and tell the AMC to take a hike. It will not take long before they will be history. We will just have to suffer for a little while. We can put a stop to this if we want too! I do not work for them, join me!

Bella 2 months ago

Appraiserloft is the worst AMC, their fee split is low and then they don't pay within 30 or even 60 days. I have to sent them e-mails after 60 days of non-payment and then I don't get any reply and it takes forever to get paid. I have an appraisal from 08/11 which I have not been paid on yet.

socalappraiser1 2 months ago

In case anyone in the appraising world is still not aware. APPRAISERLOFT.COM IS OUT OF BUSINESS! If they owe you money, you will not get paid... EVER! I'd like to find a lawyer and register a class-action suit against the principals of the company, all of the management team! The closed owing a combined untold Millions to their vendor appraisers (the weakest parties in this business structure). Their explanation was that the GSE's were slow in paying them. they're actually try to blame Freddie and Fannie for their failure to pay. Last time I looked, it isn't the GSE's that pay the AMC's, it's the lender/client/borrower, and they pay at least half up-front, before the order is assigned. Someone walked off with Millions, and I want a forensic account to go over every bit of their business operation. I'm starting a facebook page "appraiserloft shafted appraisers", please go their and become a friend. This will be the start of defining the class!

Anon 2 months ago

If your owed any money by an AMC check out this webarticel very interesting. http://www.workingre.com/workingre/Collecting-AMC-

Mike NY appraiser 2 months ago

You guys should also look into http://www.bestappraisalmanagementcompany.com

Sam 2 months ago

Good reviews.

LV Appraiser 8 weeks ago

I told LSI over 1 month ago that I could not complete REO appraisals in UAD format any longer for $225. They said "can you wait 1 to 2 months.We are trying to collect more money from our lenders.We have had alot of appraisers tell us the same thing and our business model just can not handle everyone getting an increase at the same time." REALLY??? What about our business models!! My business model can not drive out to a property, inspect it,add all of your additional requirements and return it within 24 hours for $190 to $225 a report.I notified them that I can no longer wait for an increase(it's not good to be pissed off the whole time your working on the report).It's $300 or nothing.Of course I have not heard one peep out them since then.Why??? Because there are appraisers out there still doing the work for $190 to $225.Stop for one minute and think...at that price you are working for free or close to it.We must take a stand together. Business model??? Heck...they were retaining $170 on an order they were paying me $190 for.Wake up people. Don't work for free.We must unite or we will be working for peanuts forever. Oh...forgot~I do not miss the 9 phone calls and emails a day either.Now I have time to devote to my paying customers and give them high quality appraisals (like it's suppose to be).Just say "NO" to LSI.

Joe 8 weeks ago

This list was made by an idiot. Some of these companies have gone out of business or have been charged with fraud. Proof that the author has no business making lists.

Catherine 6 weeks ago

Appraiser Loft is now out of buisness and never paid us for the final work we did for them.

Williams and Associates 4 weeks ago

How can you list Appraiser Loft as a top AMC when they cheated appraisers accros the country of millions of dollars? They owe us thousands for completed appraisals that they werre paid for by the lenders.

Tom 4 weeks ago

Hands down, THE BEST AMC is The Appraisal Hub. Personalized service, great rates, nationwide. Owned and run by Appraisers. Check them out at: http://www.theappraisalhub.com

Ralph 3 weeks ago

Out of all the AMCs I use the only one that pays me consistently on time and has the best payouts is Collateral Management. You should look into them. http://www.collateralmanagement.org