Appraisers and the Golden Rule

As all appraisers are human, we are bound to make mistakes. I personally have never had a perfect appraisal report, and I think you would be hard-pressed to find a report completely void of mistakes. As a result, it is important for us, as fellow appraisers, to treat one another with respect when it comes to reviewing each other’s work.  

I recently came across a couple of disturbing situations online. An appraiser had posted a report he was reviewing online and proceeded to point out all of its flaws. What made the situation even worse, was the fact that the name and license number of the appraiser being reviewed was left on the report. Not only was the report ridiculed on a public platform, the appraiser was left vulnerable to public criticism. The other situation I came across was similar, except the reviewer was asking Facebook if he should post the report he was reviewing for the world to see. In both of these situations, the reviewer failed to treat his peer with the respect they deserved.

Peer reviews can be a valuable tool in the appraisal world. If we know there is a possibility of our reports being reviewed, we will be more careful in our work. When we as appraisers have the opportunity to step into the reviewer role, it is important for us to treat our fellow appraisers how we would like to be treated if the roles were reversed.

The appraisal review process can be a wonderful opportunity to learn and improve if done right. Constructive criticism can be invaluable. When reviewing your peers, ask yourself how you would like to be treated and seek to build other appraisers up rather than tearing them down. Create a safe space for others to learn and grow as you treat them with kindness and respect.

Of course, that is not to say that reviewer should not do their job. Appraisers who are not  performing their job in an appropriate an ethical manner, should be called out-privately!

For more information on this subject, please download and listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode: 308 – Sharing Appraisal Reports Online

3 thoughts on “Appraisers and the Golden Rule”

  1. There should be some legal recourse of someone posting and accusing another appraiser on social media . What an idiot that unprofessional reviewer is. The issues should have been discussed privately one on one . The appraiser certainly may have done a bad job but that is another issue . I question the character and experience of that reviewer

  2. I am not sure about an appraisers name, but assignment results are prohibited from being disclosed to anyone other than the client without the clients consent. Clearly this “reviewer” was disclosing assignment results. I would hope anyone reading that post would turn the reviewer into the state for a violation of confidentiality and I mean that. I am a live and let live sort of person, and this behavior is deplorable.

    I worked for a time being the party who would order field reviews, probably 1-3 a day for a couple of years. I was also reading and using them as part of my job. It was absolutely amazing how many “reviewers” had no idea how to review a report. Too many think it is an invitation to beat up the original appraiser. Too many think their opinion is superior to another. Too many think there is only one way to develop and form a credible opinion. For those of you who do form 2000 reviews, I suggest you read the instructions pre-printed on the form before you complete the report – it is clear most do not do this. Reviewers who behave in such ways appear incompetent – I mean, aside from trying to get a serious task completed (the need for the review) it’s actually quite comical.

    A competent reviewer understands that there is more than one way to develop an appraisal and just because an appraiser did not do it the way they would have, does not mean they did it wrong.

  3. Good article. There is no doubt there is a lack of respect amongst fellow appraisers that should be improved. I complete reviews and I agree that just because you don’t like the “style” of the report, opinions are to be respected when disagreed with. It’s a tough concept but I think we can achieve a more positive outlook as an industry. Get Smart Appraisers, not arrogant.

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