My Name is Inigo Montoya

Vizzini: He didn't fall? Inconceivable!
Inigo: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means

Not sure what you mean Fail

Usually you can figure out what the appraiser meant to say... But not when they bring vegetables into their description

Waterfront... and waterside... and waterback...

Somtimes the mapping software is a little bit off the mark

Racist Countertops?

If you've got Kimchi on your countertops, I'm pretty sure it's not something you mention in an appraisal. What's next, we can't say Mexican Tile?
 

Loudness Fail

There's nothing wrong with a little color... And those aren't shadows

Guard Dog Fail

Not sure what is being guarded here...

Fundamentals Fail

C'mon. Is this really the best you can do?

I Do Not Like Green Eggs and Ham!

Way to cover all the bases

Submit to the Real Estate Fail Blog

Got a funny or confusing real estate related item that you think should be on our blog? The funnier the better. Email to appraiserfail@gmail.com and include your contact information. One important guideline- don't include pictures that would easily identify people or specific places- so no faces, no business names, no license numbers, no phone numbers, no full addresses, etc. If any of these items are included, we may still be able to post them, but we'd have to take care of a few things to make it copacetic.

Flooring Fail

Nothing says classy shower more than plush carpeting

Escher Fail

I think I know what he's saying, but then again, I have no idea

Color Choice Fail

Hey, don't judge- this can be considered tasteful... Do you realized that there's a dishwasher in thsi kitchen?

Analysis Fail

 Hey Mr. Reviewer, way to go the extra mile for the analysis

Lot Description Fail

When you describe the subject lot as "poor", that's your first problem. But then when you compare it to a lot that is an acre, then it gets confusing. That's like saying "My car is worth more than your good"

Stick with the Facts Fail

 When appraising a home, try to limit your report to material information about the actual home and property without judging... BTW, this is not considered a pool

 

 

Real Estate Fail Blog Guidelines

We hope to enlighten the world without specifically highlighting specific "professionals" or properties. When submitting photos, please redact any MLS numbers, names, phone numbers, complete addresses or otherwise identifiable information.

Bathroom Fail

Sure we call it the throne room, but this is ridiculous

Sad State of Foreclosure... and Mental Illness

I still remember the first clearly and sadly foreclosed home I appraised. It had toys and food and mementos still lying around. I soon started calling them "Rapture Homes" as in some cases some pretty substantial stuff was left behind. Of course there's also the angry people who destroy the home when they leave. But some people need to leave a more descriptive mark. It's a little hard to read by some of the quotes include "This room belonged to a very deranged person. Enter slowly with great care", "PS, I killed the last occupant of this room!", "And they kick you out of your house!"

Respect My Authority!

Appraisal analysis should be based on facts- The size of the property, the recent comparable sales, the trend of property values, amenities, etc. You may be "the man", but actually saying that in your appraisal doesn't make you an authority. Charlie Rangel has been in Congress for 40 years- that doesn't make him perfect.

The Reason for Comp Photos

Lenders want to know if a comparable sale is similar to the subject. That's why you're supposed to drive by the sales you consider and take a photo of them. Sometimes appraisers take the photo from MLS and use it- that's a no-no, but pretty easy to get away with. Some variations are a little harder to pass muster...

View Amenity

Part of the appraisal is describing the view amenity. People used to put "none", but that's not acceptable now. In most cases, you put "residential". But you can put "golf course", "ocean", "park", or even "waterfront". I guess you wouldn't be lying in this case

The Definition of a Street Scene

When doing a field appraisal, there are certain photo requirements. These include the front of the house, the back of the house, perhaps some photos of value-adding amenities- like pool, recent upgrades, etc. Or even negative factors- like broken windows. One important photo is the "street scene". This shows you what the neighborhood looks like and includes at least a portion of the subject property. Someone took this a little too literally