I got into the appraisal industry in 1987 so I've been around. Prior to my appraisal career I did title examinations, title insurance and real estate closings. I've previously been on the Board of Directors of NVAR so I have a bit of a wider perspective than many.

Much of the work I do now is for banks, for realtors and for the general public although mortgage financing work remains the majority of my appraisal assignments. I can honestly say none of my clients have any interest in seeing Hybrid Appraisals. They want someone who knows what they are doing, can write up an assignment so it makes sense and so they can follow along to see the reasoning behind it and perhaps learn a little more about the property and the current market. Hybrid appraisals however, will not be done by me, my colleagues or in general anyone who I would want appraising my own property.

Of all the entities who would be harmed by a less thorough valuation analysis performed by a less qualified individual no one is adversely impacted more than the general public. Appraising property is a tough job and by no means am I the be all, end all valuation expert. But I do take the time, do the extra analysis and take great pride in my work. And I sleep well at night.

Now is not the time to reduce the emphasis on analyzing the property well and relaying that analysis to the client and the public in general. And I'm not sure there ever will be a time. Buying a home is the biggest investment most people make in their lives and has a major long term financial impact on the parties involved and on the general health of our country. Dumbing down the valuation assignment in my humble opinion is shortsighted and unwise. And its not what the public and realtors want.

Frankly, Hybrid Appraisals are a bad idea.