Is appraisal watchdog really a fox?
Ask Miki
Dear readers: Captors of the 24 million dollar watchdog claim it’s alive and well! They’ve posted a milk-carton snap shot that looks as if he’s a junkyard dog with no teeth and whose parentage is in question. Industry professionals are quite certain he’s a “pure-bred” mongrel. The Independent Value Protection Institute (IVPI) was to be created originally for appraisers to contact the IVPI, if they felt pressured, threatened or bribed into situations that compromise their independent valuations and compliance with the federal Home Value Code of Conduct (HVCC). The controversial code of conduct was originally meant to improve accuracy and independence in the real estate appraisal process and to provide additional protections for homebuyers, mortgage investors and the United States housing market. Dear Miki: That dog is no watch dog at all, just a sly fox. I found this at the Freddie Mac Web site: “We are working with the New York State Attorney General, FHFA, Fannie Mae and other mortgage market participants to develop the Independent Valuation Protection Institute. “When established, the institute will offer, among other services, a method for receiving complaints related to non-compliance with the code. In the interim, a Web site is being created to receive and register complaints from appraisers, individuals and entities on non-compliance with the code. The interim institute Web site is currently under development and will be launched in November 2009. The sample complaint form … is now available to preview.” Make sure you follow the link to the “sample complaint form.” This is my favorite part: “Thank you for your submission of a Complaint Regarding Improper Appraisal Conduct as described in the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. You may not hear anything further related to your complaint or the outcome of the resulting investigation. Your complaint will be taken seriously and appropriately investigated.” ~ Cynthia Sulamo, certified residential appraiser, sulamoappraisal.com, 705-2 E. Bidwell St. #228, Folsom
Dear Cynthia: So when the $24 million IVPI watchdog is found, he’s deaf, dumb and eats the complaints too? Someone else is the sly fox here. Tallyho, Cynthia, you’re on the hunt!
Dear Miki: As a non-smoker forever, I find last week’s column “Second-hand smoke lawsuit raises stink” very interesting. I am a resident of Versante, a 55 and older community, and I am wondering if this legal event is happening in my back yard, so to speak. Can you advise, please? ~ EDH Resident Dear EDH R.: The plaintiffs claim, among other things, that “(the) defendants … have … used … their premises in such a manner so as to cause repetitive and copious amounts of cigar and cigarette smoke to emanate from (their) property at all hours ... into plaintiffs’ property, including (the) backyard, … HVAC system, and into interior living areas of (the) home.” Along with you, I’ll bet residents everywhere are sniffing the air while others are investing in smokeless ashtrays or perhaps becoming closet smokers. One of the more interesting takes on the matter is posted online. “Sort of thing one expects for a nation overrun with lawyers. “While the Japanese are making Sony TV’s, Toyotas, and Nikon cameras, we here in the USA are suing one another. “The USA has approximately 30 times the number of lawyers than does Japan. “ For my response and other comments, go to the Telegraph Web sites. I’m sorry I can’t reveal the location, but I suggest — not advise — you call El Dorado Hills attorney David Trapani who represents the plaintiffs. I’m not making a dime and he’s the paid mouthpiece. Ask Miki is a column of opinion. Real estate agent Miki Garcia can be reached at askmikigarcia@yahoo.com.
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Dear Friends:
Got an opinion? Let's have it!
From my cursor to yours,
Miki
Hi Miki
So the junk yard dog shows up just in time for the last quarter play? Come on now, who are they kidding? We are finally seeing the "possible" end of the HVCC and wondering what will be next.
Last week, a House of Representatives panel passed HR 3126 by a 39 to 29 vote to establish a regulating agency for financial products marketed and sold to US consumers which included an amendment to phase out the Home Valuation Code of Conduct. The amendment would allow all originators, licensed or registered in accordance with the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act, to order appraisals directly. Now the bill goes on for a House vote. Are they listening? Or who owes who politically? Either way watching what comes next is interesting.
Thank you for keeping us informed!
Cynthia Sulamo
That's one hungry Dawg! Great article! SM
And thank you, Cynthia, for keeping us informed!
From my cursor to yours,
Miki
Comment emailed to askmikigarcia@yahoo.com:
" You may not hear anything further related to your complaint or the outcome of the resulting investigation. Your complaint will be taken seriously and appropriately investigated.”
Is this an oxymoron....or am I just a plain moron?
I like your style of writing..... pithy yet humorous....
love you
z
Response to Z:
It's an oxymoron that's authored by morons who assume we are such. These guys need a whole lot of OxyClean...too bad pitchman Billy Mays isn't around anymore to do the job.
From my cursor to yours,
Miki
Comment emailed to askmikigarcia@yahoo.com:
Hi Miki,
Sounds to me like the watchdog is nothing but another scam. If the watchdogs don't report back to the people who are making
the complaint, then what is the reason for their existence. Just more lawyers scamming the public. I lived in Japan for over 2
years and I can tell you they do not allow lawyers to scam the public, or anyone for that matter. Sure there will always be those
that will try. However, I don't think the laws in Japan will even allow a lawyer to succeed in practices that scam the public or
anyone for that matter. Too bad our country is too lax in that category.
As for your previous article about second hand smoke; Miki, I can tell you as a former smoker I was always respectful of other
people. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, I stopped smoking in doors. No matter what the weather, if I wanted a
smoke, I would step outside. Even if I was in a persons home, or office where they smoked, I would step outside. I didn't do
this while I was in the military. Back then you could smoke anywhere but the movie theater. Now I live in close proximity to my
neighbor and when she steps outside to smoke, I have to close my windows, and doors so the smoke does not come into my home.
I do not agree with making another stupid law forbidding a person to smoke outside their own home. That is just stupid.
Hope you and your family are doing well.
Sincerely,
Larry "Euby" Eubanks
Response to Larry "Euby" Eubanks:
Thanks, Larry, for asking. I spent time with spunky 84-year-old Mom at the doctor's yesterday, and it turns out she's fine -- just a bit of asthma. Kaiser doctor was curt and received more than she asked from Mom. Mom has not lost her touch nor hearing and she doesn't need glasses but for some stereotypical reason the physician thought she could get away with a snotty 'tude.
As for your opinion, thanks for giving it. You're terrific!
From my cursor to yours,
Miki
Comment received at askmikigarcia@yahoo.com:
AGAIN MIKI, GREAT JOB. KEEP IT UP.
W.MIKLOS
Response to W. Miklos:
You know if I had a choice on whether to be lounging on a yacht off the South of France or writing my column, my computer would be on the ocean floor. Therefore, I am so very pleased that you, an industry professional (appraiser) would submit such a fabulous valuation! Thank you!
From my cursor to yours,
Miki
Comment received at askmikigarcia@yahoo.com:
Hi Miki,
Must admit, I’m getting confused with IVPI, HVCC; what’s in and what’s out and where do we complain to that website that will investigate but not give us the results; talk about an attitude! I do disagree with you; there’s not a fox in the hen house, there’s a family of foxes running the damn farm. Well, you get the idea, Miki; I agree with you and love the way you have with words.
Mary Ann
Response to Mary Ann:
I've looked up the collective words for fox, and what we have is a "skulk" of foxes; a "cloud", "troop", or "company" of foxes; a "leash" or "earth" of foxes posing in "watchdog" fur.
Where the heck is PETA when you need 'em?
Thanks for your comment!
From my cursor to yours,
Miki