We have assembled this list of links that we think appraisers may find helpful:
FHFA – House Price Index
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). FHFA was formed by a legislative merger of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) mission team
FHFA produces, in PDF format, a quarterly House Price Index (HPI) that tracks single family house prices by region, state and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
3rd Qtr 2010 index now available!
HUD info for Appraisers
New – New Mortgagee Letter (09-51) FHA is adopted the Fannie Mae Form 1004D/Freddie Mac Form 442. This and several other recent Mortgagee Letters are available from the HUD’s Appraisers page.
On that same page, HUD has posted FAQs related to several of the recent Mortgagee Letters. These FAQs and the recent Mortgagee Letters that affect appraisers are listed under “What’s New” in the quick links area of the appraisers page.
All of HUD’s forms and publications can be found at the HUDClips website.
Every FHA Appraiser should be familiar with the Homeownership Center (HOC) Reference Guide.
M & M Contractors for HUD REOs are also listed online.
Sign up to receive notices (including Mortgagee Letters) from HUD.
FEMA Flood Maps
If you have a valid physical street address enter it in the form near the top right corner of the page. This pull up the appropriate panel. Click on the green dot to view. Click on “Make a FIRMette” to generate a graphic file that you can print and or insert in your report.
If you do not have a valid street address you can click on the “Map Search” on the menu bar at the top of the page. You will then get a map of North America. Click on the map in the area you need to see and it will zoom in. Continue to click and zoom in until you can locate the correct panel. Next, click on the “Point” icon on the left (it’s the target). Then, click on the green dot as above.
Soil Survey Maps
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made soil survey maps available online.
Click here for some tips on navigating the NRCS soil survey site.
Census Tract Numbers
At this location you will find the FFIEC Geocoding System which is a search engine that will provide the Census Tract number or Block Number Area number for the address that you enter.
Once you have located the census tract number there are links to demographic data for that census tract.
If you are in an area where the tract number cannot be found by address, you may want to try this site where you can zoom in on a map to find the tract number.
Mortgage Fraud Blog
This blog has information regarding mortgage fraud cases from around the country. As you know, many mortgage fraud schemes would not work without an appraiser who is willing to hit the number, and risk going to jail. See the latest news in this area and sign up for email notification of new cases.
Mid-West Appraisers Association
MWAA has resources for appraisers in Nebraska, Iowa and surrounding states.
The Appraisal Foundation
Get to latest exposure drafts and other communications from the ASB and AQB.
The Appraisal Subcommittee
This is the home of the National Registry of licensed and certified appraisers. Also has links to state appraiser regulatory agencies in each state.
Barry Shea & Associates
For more information on Barry’s practice. Also, additional resources for NH based appraisers.
State Appraisal Board Links
We have links here to most of the state boards for the areas where our courses are presented and/or approved.
National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers
The National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) is an Appraisal Sponsor of The Appraisal Foundation. NAIFA has a fine discussion area for appraisers which is open to all.
American Real Estate & Associates
For more information on Lynne’s real estate brokerage and appraisal practice.