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 Honesty and Integrity: Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc.
We consider our job as a profession. The rigors of becoming a licensed appraiser have increased more than ever before. So it goes without question in this day and age that real estate appraisal can certainly be called a profession as opposed to a trade. As with any profession we have a strict ethical code.
We have many obligations as appraisers, but above everything we answer to our clients.
Typically, in residential practice, the appraiser's client is the lender ordering the appraisal, and often the appraisal is ordered by a third party the lender has hired in order to maintain independence.
Consequently, appraisers are typically restricted to only disclosing information to their clients, so as
a homeowner, if you would like to obtain a copy of an appraisal report, you generally should request it from your lender.
Other responsibilities include accurate sums appropriate to the scope of the assignment, acquiring and keeping an adequate level of competency and education, and the appraiser must conduct him or herself as a professional. Here at Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc., we take these ethical responsibilities very to heart.
Appraisers may also have fiduciary responsibilities to third parties, including homeowners, sellers and buyers, or others. Those third parties normally are defined in scope of the appraisal assignment itself. An appraiser's fiduciary duty is restricted to those parties who the appraiser is aware of, based on the scope of work or other written parameters of the assignment.
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Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc. has an established track record for producing appraisals with the highest of ethics. To learn more, contact us. |
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There are also ethical duties that have nothing to do with clients and others. For example, appraisers must backup their work files for at least five years - something else Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc. makes a part of their standard routine.
Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc. holds itself to the industry standards and mandates set in place for professional behavior. We refuse to accept anything less from ourselves.
Accepting orders based on contingency fees is not something we can consider.
In other words, we can't agree to do an appraisal report and collect payment on the contingency of the loan closing.
Anyone should be able to see that fabricating a property's value to achieve a bigger fee is unethical!
We just don't do it.
Finally, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (or simply "USPAP") clearly defines unethical behavior as the acceptance of an assignment that is contingent on "the reporting of a pre-determined result (e.g., opinion of value)", "a direction in assignment results that favors the cause of the client", or "the amount of a value opinion" as well as other situations. We diligently follow these rules to the letter which means you can be assured we are working hard to get you an accurate home or property value.
As soon as you engage Allstate Appraisal Associates, Inc., we'll make sure you're getting the professional service you deserve along with the honesty and integrity we're known for.
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