Skip to main content

Ask the Online Experts: How did the Internet first get started?

Mar 29, 2001

Using the Standards for Measuring Residential DwellingsRobert Moorestandards, appraisal, ANSI, As our industry continues to rebound from the turbulence experienced in late 1998, many lenders have been faced with the difficult challenge of operating in an increasingly competitive market that offers a decreasing level of loan quality. The appraisal review process is one area that seems to highlight this challenge the most. While many lenders in our industry have successfully relied upon additional software to improve the appraisal review process, some have struggled with this issue and have improperly attempted to base loan decisions on supplemental reports that provide inferior data (i.e. drive-by appraisals, field reviews, etc.). The fact is, the ability to apply a more uniform standard to appraisal analysis has become an increasingly daunting task. Many in our industry agree that the appraisal review process is a combination of both art and science. However, the surprising fact is that we still see many inconsistencies with the supposedly more objective part of this analysis, or the scientific and technical applications of the appraisal review process. To illustrate the point, in April of 1996 with little fanfare, a voluntary standard was adopted for measuring and calculating the gross living area of detached and attached single-family residential buildings. Although approved two years ago by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), use of the guidelines is not mandatory, and they have yet to be embraced or promoted by participants in the real estate professions. ANSI functions as the coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system. The intent is to ensure that the size of single-family homes is measured in a uniform and consistent manner by tax assessors, Realtors, builders, architects, and appraisers. While professional organizations representing each of these groups (and others) participated in the formulation of these guidelines (ANSI Z765-1996), differing techniques for measurement and calculation of square footage are still being utilized. This has proven confusing to the consumer, the ultimate end-user of this information, and has prompted an increasing amount of litigation. Why can't anyone comparing the blueprints of two new homes be able to tell which one will truly offer the most usable living space? Can the judge resolving a tax appeal dispute feel confident that an appraisal report in evidence will reflect the same data as a public (Town Assessor) record? Shouldn't the prospective purchaser of a residential property expect that an enclosed porch or finished basement area will not be included in the listed square footage of the dwelling? Interaction among real estate professionals must become more meaningful and productive, allowing the comparison of "apples to apples." Readers of this article have significant influence in the lending and real estate industries. Why not begin a grassroots call for the universal application of the ANSI standards? Make adherence to these simple guidelines a requirement for all of your clients and vendors. By standardizing key information which we deal with on a regular basis, we not only improve the way we do business, but foster consumer protection at the same time. Robert Moore is a Corporate Appraiser for Mortgage Lenders Network USA, Inc. He may be reached at (860) 704-6239.
About the author
Published
Mar 29, 2001
More from
Tech
Navigating The Future Of Marketing Technology

Take inspiration from these tomorrow-oriented improvements and see how they could be adapted

Mar 18, 2024
Women Of Tech 2024

Honoring Women Of Mortgage Technology

Mar 18, 2024
Manually Scrubbing For HMDA Compliance? It’s Time To Automate

Investing in digital transformation systems provides a significant advantage over “wait-and-see” institutions

Feb 26, 2024
From Figure Eights to Mortgage Rates

From Team USA’s grace to financial services’ embrace, Matthew Blackmer draws parallels from his past to the future

Jan 31, 2024
Commissions Alert: Pop Your Profits And Don't Leave A Penny On The Table

Lenders need better tech to help homeowners unlock $20 trillion in tappable equity

Dec 21, 2023
The Road To Success In 2024

A loan servicer’s perspectives on the year ahead

Dec 18, 2023