OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Maintaining the health and safety of our clients, employees and our communities at large is of the utmost importance to our company. As situations surrounding COVID-19 continue to evolve, Metro-West Appraisal also remains committed to ensuring that we keep our clients’ real estate transactions moving forward by producing reliable, fully compliant appraisal solutions and alternative valuation products. 

Business Continuity Considerations

Clients can rest assured that the Metro-West team is fully operational nationwide, serving clients with high-quality reports and record-low turnaround times. We’re taking extraordinary measures to incorporate proper precautions to conduct home appraisals in a safe and secure manner, including: 

Home Appriasal working from home

COMPANY-WIDE POLICIES

Implementing company-wide policies and procedures in place that ensure business remains fully-functional in an event of a pandemic.

WORKING REMOTE

Employees are working remotely as localized executive orders and health circumstances dictate.

COMMUNICATION

Failsafe options are in place to ensure essential lines of communication and technology remain active and online.

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STAFF APPRAISERS
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MAJOR METRO MARKETS
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DAYS-PER-AVERAGE APPRAISAL REPORT TURNAROUND
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HOURS POST-INSPECTION FOR APPRAISAL DELIVERY

Lender/Client Considerations

Our valued lender clients can be assured that Metro-West staff appraisers are following the latest COVID-19 mitigation guidelines established by local governments and GSEs, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Furthermore, our service team is actively working toward maintaining low turn times and fees to secure you with the best possible due date.

  • Please contact your borrower before the appraiser schedules the inspection appointment to establish that no one in the household has knowingly been exposed to COVID-19 nor is anyone in the house currently sick.
  • Explain to your borrower that during this time period, the appraiser will be changing typical inspection protocols to minimize risk.
  • For instances where in-person appraisals are still required, we’ve ensured lenders that no one is conducting an appraisal who shouldn’t be – based on their recent travel, interactions, health symptoms, etc.—while understanding and following all CDC guidelines.
  • In cases where lenders are allowing alternatives to an interior inspection by the appraiser, Metro-West is fully capable of performing exterior and desktop appraisals that can be supplemented with the latest homeowner led inspection technology that aides in a fraud reduction. Regardless of the scope of work, Metro-West will provide an accurate valuation with the highest level of professional service.
  • Per Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and certain portfolio lenders’ we ask that you communicate with our team if exterior inspections are permitted on an order.
Working from home - Metro-West Appraisal

Appraiser Considerations

Safety for appraisers who are still conducting business is our chief concern. As lenders continue to add leniency to enable more desktop and alternative valuation products, we’ll ensure that our staff appraisers are aware of these options.

Metro-West has administered several communications to our staff appraisers in return for adherence and mitigation of any risks:

  • Appraisers will contact entry contacts prior to the appraisal order to determine that no one in the household has knowingly been exposed to COVID-19, nor are they currently ill.
  • Appraiser will re-confirm prior to scheduled appraisal that no changes in the health of the persons providing property access have transpired since initial outreach.
  • Persons providing property access will leave all lights on and doors open prior to inspection.
  • Appraisers reserve the right to request documents ahead of time that provide support for legal descriptions, dimensions, easements and measurements to be included in the appraisal report—including home improvements and surveys.
  • All staff appraisers will wear Personal Protective Equipment per CDC guidelines while inspecting the home, including face masks, gloves, eye protection, hygienic shoe covers, and a supply of hand sanitizer and not touch any surfaces, door handles or light switches.
  • Homeowners are expected to maintain social distancing while the inspection takes place.
  • If there are any concerns at a property, appraisers will contact the Metro-West support team immediately.
Appraiser working from home

Homeowners: What To Expect At Your Appraisal Or Closing Appointment

New Home Owners

During these extraordinary times, we’re taking extraordinary measures to ensure your real estate appraisal is completed in a safe and secure manner. To make these precautionary measures as effective as possible, we need your support.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

CONTACT BY APPRAISER

The appraiser will contact you to schedule the inspection and ask about your health or recent international travel. We respect your privacy and don’t need any personal details, but if you think you may be sick, or if you’ve visited an area with active outbreaks, please let us know and we’ll happily come back at another time. 

APPRAISER ARRIVAL

When a Metro-West appraiser arrives, they’re going to ask to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet, and they will not shake your hand. This isn’t because they’re unfriendly, it is because they’re following CDC guidelines to maintain proper safety, which includes wearing PPE such as face masks, gloves, eye wear, hygienic shoe covers and sanitizer. 

COMPLETING REPORT

Were eager to get your appraisal report completed for you as quickly and easily as possible, but our primary commitment during this time is to keep you, our team members and our communities safe. 

Resources

Fannie Mae
Department of Veterans Affairs
HUD Homes
The Appraisal Foundation

Webinars/Podcasts

State of the Industry: 2021 and Beyond, Ushering in the Biden Administration

Metro-West Appraisal has assembled an all-star set of panelists to analyze “The State of the Industry: 2021 and Beyond, Ushering in the Biden Administration.”

Watch: State of the Industry: 2021 and Beyond, Ushering in the Biden Administration

The Supply Chain Reaction

How long should we expect supply chain issues to persist, and how can builders, appraisers and realtors collaborate to develop effective approaches?

Watch: The Supply Chain Reaction

Business as (Un)usual: Addressing Appraisals in the COVID-19 Crisis

The current pandemic is shaking up the appraisal industry. Do you know where to go from here? Every day it seems there are new policies, or a new breaking story related to COVID-19, so we’re here to help appraisers during this difficult time. Watch our Webinar and listen to the Appraisal Buzzcast below, featuring Brandon Boudreau, COO, Metro-West Appraisal.

Watch: Business as (Un)usual: Addressing Appraisals in the COVID-19 Crisis

The State of the Appraisal Industry

Institutions at all points of the real estate industry to examine, pivot and adapt practices and regulations as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Federal agencies and originators continue to extend flexibilities to help borrowers during the pandemic, including widening the scope on alternative appraisals on purchase and refinance loans. Taking a look back at the past four months—how has this affected the industry? Where do we go from here? Appraisal Buzz has brought together a diverse set of industry leaders to answer these questions and share their take on the state of the industry with webinar attendees.

Watch: The State of the Appraisal Industry

COVID-19 Video

Buzzcast: Business as (Un)usual: Addressing Appraisals in the COVID-19 Crisis with Brandon Boudreau

What are some new technologies that have been introduced into the industry because of the pandemic? These questions and much more are answered by Brandon Boudreau in this podcast as he shares on this evolving subject.

 

Buzzfeed: The Industry Response in the Beginning of COVID-19 with Greg Stephens

The world was put to a halt with COVID-19 and the appraisal industry was no different. What were some firsthand accounts of change within the industry? What is being done for the appraisers? These questions and much more have been answered by Greg Stephens while sharing his expertise from various webinars hosted through his company, Metro West Appraisal Co. Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own?

Regional Guidance and Safety Directives

Metro-West remains in compliance with the directives established by authorities across individual markets. Follow the link below to review up-to-date information about current actions set in place from each state.

Click your state to learn more about the governmental actions and orders that are currently in place.

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