We are an appraisal firm in NJ with 4 associates in Northern NJ, Middlesex in the center of the State, Monmouth County and Atlantic County. Our phone number starts with an area code 973. When we call to set up an appraisal we often get a message machine. The contact person will eventually call back after we leave several messages just to let us know that it is not their responsibility. It is the other agent's responsibility. I have been several times in the middle of a non professional argument regarding who is responsible to open the door for me. The ping pong game often ends with "Can you come on Thursday when the home inspection is done?" Slightly selfish isn't it? We often ask to see the contract since we are supposed to analyze it per FNMA. Getting it from the lender delays the completion of the appraisal, especially with large lenders working with appraisal management companies. I love the " I have been in the business for 30 years and never had an appraiser ask me for a contract". What can I say? you wasted 30 years, or maybe I am a bad appraiser. The second line of offense is " Your phone has a 973 area code, do you know the area?" Sorry Madame, I am too cheap to buy a magic jack for $30 with a 609 area code. I do appraise in the southern NJ area. In return for this lack of courtesy I often get help. The agent will hand me his favorite listings because he knows the market best. Now it depends, if it is a sale I will be handed the highest listings in the market regardless of comparability. In northern NJ, they will hand me Manhattan comparables. fortunately, they don't have an MLS in Manhattan. How interesting? When the appraisal is an REO or short sale the comparables are the lowest in the market. In the first instance the subject is the Taj Mahal, in the second instance, the roof is leaking and the basement has water etc. You know the gig. It is so ironic that we sometimes appraise the same 2 family dwelling in some of the urban areas in Northern NJ for a short sale, handled by the same office that sold it in the first place and we were the appraisers then. We were given all the reasons why it was worth $600,000 then and why it is worth only $250,000 now. Few years ago if we did not value it at $600,000 the agent complained to the lender and  we lost our job. I had an agent ask the buyer to complain to the bank that I was rude. I never met this buyer. This is the epithomy of lack of ethics.

The HVCC is a poor attempt to solve some of the issues that were mentioned above. The cost is great to appraiser, realtors and the consumer. As often happens, the bad apples hurt the ethical and courteous agents and  the good appraisers.

What do you think?

I think that you need to do your JOB.  With that said, I see your JOB as:

1) Contacting homeowner/realtor in timely manner.
2)Obtain purchase agreement. (needed for purchases---30 years or 2 months in biz)
3)Appraise said property to the best of your ability.
4)Deliver apprisal in timely manner.

That's what I think.

Most would think that real estate agents would understand the appraisal process, however that is not typically the case.  Most arrive at their estimate of market value differently than an appraiser.  This is part of the reason that there are so many overpriced listings on the market. 

Even that 30 year real estate veteran (who may of only had one year of experience 30 times) needs to be educated as to what is required in this current market place.  It's not much different than the heavy equipment company I worked for many years ago.  There were three departments - sales, parts and service.  Most of the employees in a given department had nothing good to say about the other department and yet the entire operation depended upon each doing their job.  We each need to appreciate the work and challenges the person in the other "department" faces.  So as Bob V-G says, we each have to do our job.

You have one appointment at one house.  As a Realtor have to meet the gas,  electric, and water companies,  the termite and home inspectors,  the smoke detector inspector,  the locksmith, the board-up guy, the trash-out guy,  the police when there’s a break-in, etc.  So, if I ask you if you can make it the same time as the home inspector I don’t consider that selfish.  I consider it good time management.    

In my 25 years as a Realtor I have been asked twice to bring a copy of the contract since most appraisers already have the appraisal on their clipboard. If you did your job correctly you would not have to worry about getting a contract from the Realtor.

Why would Realtors have to give you comps since, hopefully, you are doing your job and pulling your own comps.   In the old days appraisers wanted comps from the Realtors.  Then they didn’t want comps.  Then they wanted comps.  Make up your mind.  Do you want us to do your job or do you want to do your own?  I don’t care.  Just make up your mind. 

My office phone, after hours, is call-forwarded to my cell so I miss very few calls and callers rarely get an answering machine.   I get calls at 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, seven days a week.  Ever try to reach an appraiser 24/7?   Ever get an appraiser to go out on a Sunday?  Ever call an appraiser wondering why he’s had the file for a week and still hasn’t called for an appointment?  Whether I’m the listing agent or selling agent I meet every single appraiser.

Let’s not even talk about the appraiser who, last week, wanted me to meet him at the property because he was “too afraid to go into that area.”   If I can go into these vacant houses without a body guard and you can’t then perhaps you should not be appraising in these “bad areas.”   (I’m a 5’ tall female Realtor by the way and I go it alone.)  How about the appraiser who couldn’t find the lockbox because it was on the front banister and not the front door knob so he told the bank he couldn’t gain access because there was no lockbox.  (I had to email a photo of the lockbox to the bank. )  Or the appraiser who couldn’t find the basement because access was not from inside the property.  Or the appraiser who didn’t see the 1x4 holding up the sagging 40’ main beam .  He also didn’t notice the way the entire house tilted and over-appraised it by 100k. Of course there was the appraiser who was sent to appraise a  4 unit (3 apts and 1 store) but was afraid to go inside because there was so much damage. He told the bank he could only gain access to one apartment.  Fortunately for me, the trash-out crew was there and they sent me an email stating the appraiser showed up, peeked in, and left.  The bank had to send another appraiser.  Total time wasted: 3 weeks.

If you’re looking at throwing stones, Sir, aim at your own house.