Copy of Home Appraisal?

[Doyne]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

I had my home refinanced in the summer and paid for a home appraisal in connection with the refinancing. I am trying to get a copy of the appraisal from the appraiser. I spoke with him twice and he promised to send a copy, which he never did. Since that time, I have attempted to contact him on numerous occasions, both by phone and by e-mail, but he is not responding. Do I have a legal right to get a copy of the appraisal?

[Shay-Pari'e]

Originally Posted by Doyne

What is the name of your state? Maryland

I had my home refinanced in the summer and paid for a home appraisal in connection with the refinancing. I am trying to get a copy of the appraisal from the appraiser. I spoke with him twice and he promised to send a copy, which he never did. Since that time, I have attempted to contact him on numerous occasions, both by phone and by e-mail, but he is not responding. Do I have a legal right to get a copy of the appraisal?

Get the copy from the lender that refinanced.

[seniorjudge]

Q: Do I have a legal right to get a copy of the appraisal?

A: Yes.


[url]http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/real_est_app/reacomp.htm[/url]

[moburkes]

Yep. Right in that large package of loan papers that you signed was a form for you to fill out if you wanted to get a copy of your appraisal. It might be too late, though, since a time period is specified on the papers (at least they are specified in OH). The appraiser would have to "recreate" a copy of your appraisal, and that might be why they are taking so long.

[HUD-1]

Get a copy of the appraisal from the lender. The appraiser's client is the lender and I dont think the appraiser is supposed to disclose anything to anyone except their client.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by HUD-1

Get a copy of the appraisal from the lender. The appraiser's client is the lender and I dont think the appraiser is supposed to disclose anything to anyone except their client.

Eh?

Maybe it's just my neck of the woods, but appraisers go out to the house and won't start till they get their check from the homeowner.

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by seniorjudge

Eh?

Maybe it's just my neck of the woods, but appraisers go out to the house and won't start till they get their check from the homeowner.

Just you and the parish. MANY, MANY, MANY appraisals are done with the presumption/assumption (which is the correct word?) that they will get paid at closing. But, HUD is correct. Any appraisal that I've seen lists the lender as the client, so they can be an impartial 3rd party. If the homeowner/potential homeowner is the client, then they may have a "reason" to falsely pad the appraisal. Know what I mean?

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by moburkes

...If the homeowner/potential homeowner is the client, then they may have a "reason" to falsely pad the appraisal....

Frankly, Scarlet, I am SHOCKED!!!

[Shay-Pari'e]

Originally Posted by seniorjudge

Eh?

Maybe it's just my neck of the woods, but appraisers go out to the house and won't start till they get their check from the homeowner.

It has to be your neck of the woods Judge, because there are many times that the lender actually hires the appraiser.

[Ozark_Sophist]

Just had our property reappraised through our local bank in connection with a real estate transaction. There is a "firewall" of sorts between our loan officer and the appraiser. They cannot communicate directly, so the bank has a designated appraisal person as the go between. This is for proper ethical and legal considerations (per the loan officer). Our appraiser email his report to the bank appraisal person who then delivered a copy to the loan officer. The appraisal includes "The lender/client may disclose or distribute this appraisal report to: the borrower..." So, if similar language applies (from "Fannie Mae Form 1004"), it would be best to get a copy of the appraisal from the lender.