REO Appraisals

The term "REO" is industry jargon meaning "Real Estate Owned". This generally means real estate whose ownership has reverted back to the lien holder. The financial institutions currently servicing the loan typically request the vast majority of REO appraisals. They now have collateral on the books that needs to be disposed of. In most REO appraisal requests, we are asked to provide three or more values. The lender typically is interested in the "as is" value of the home as it sits at the present time. They are also interested in the cost of any needed repairs and the value of the property "as if repaired". Some clients request a quick sale value as well as a fair market value.

The complexity of the values associated with REO appraisals requires significant skill and market knowledge by the appraiser. Additionally, REO appraisals may present some rather unique access challenges. Most of the time REO properties have been abandoned by the owners and are now vacant. Since they are often un-occupied, some of these properties have been vandalized and may be hazardous to enter. Some are no longer locked and secured. A few, particularly in the winter, have picked up some "un-authorized occupants", both human and otherwise. In any case, the REO appraiser must be ready for almost anything when making his site visit.

Oftentimes, we asked to perform "pre-foreclosure" appraisals. These appraisals present special challenges, as the properties are generally occupied and the property owners or tenant may be unwilling to allow an appraiser access to the subject property. In these instances, we can perform an "Exterior Only" appraisal, providing you with the information necessary to make reasonable property disposition or work out decisions.

Occasionally a disagreement arises concerning a lender's past disposition of an REO property. The value of the subject property may be disputed. Was the original appraisal utilized during the loan origination process potentially fraudulent or misleading? A retrospective appraisal may be needed. A retrospective appraisal is an appraisal with an effective date as of a date in the past. We have the data, expertise and tools necessary to properly perform your retrospective appraisal. Should you need an expert in the courtroom, we can help you there too. See our qualifications as an expert witness.

We have the experience necessary to provide professional REO appraisals that stand up in court. We are regularly called upon to act as experts in many real estate valuation issues. Our appraisals are completely independent, impartial and objective. Our professionalism is unmatched. Here at Brubaker and Associates, we have the experience and knowledge to properly handle the special dynamics associated with REO appraisals. Feel free to browse our website to learn more about our unique qualifications in Houston area REO appraisals.

" Will every appraiser on my property come up with the same value?" It would be unlikely that ten different qualified appraisers would come to the exact same value conclusion. The ten different values should however be within a relatively tight range of values. This assumes that the appraisals were all done at the same t... [ Read more ]