We were understandably offended by the article published last week on AppraisersBlogs and eAppraise.com, titled “Accurate Group’s Appraiser Selection Practices Expose Troubling Industry Tactics”. The article constructs a false and unfair picture of Accurate Group’s appraisal assignment practices and integrity. As one of the nation’s leading appraisal management companies (AMCs), we take great pride in our commitment to compliance and the delivery of high-quality services.

The accusations made in the article are not just incorrect—they are deeply misleading and damaging, not only to Accurate Group but to hundreds of professionals who work diligently to uphold our high standards.

We want to emphasize three key points upfront: Accurate Group does not interfere with appraiser independence, we do not request appraisers to appraise properties at stated values, and we do not prioritize low fees over quality appraisers.

Setting the Record Straight

The article misinterprets the content and significance of an internal document pertaining to one appraisal order and unjustifiably extrapolates to conclusions about the order’s assignment and Accurate Group’s business practices generally. The document does not show that Accurate Group undermined appraiser independence, engaged in asking appraisers to appraise properties at stated values, or prioritized cost-cutting over quality and ethics. To their discredit, AppraisersBlogs and eAppraise published the article without proper investigation or contacting Accurate Group for comment or response.

The order was for an appraisal of a complex property, and several appraisers turned it down for challenges such as their competency to perform the assignment or the inability to complete the assignment within the client’s required turn time. The document reflected only part of our effort to find a qualified appraiser who could meet the needs of our client and their borrower.

Here’s what the document does—and does not—show:

• What it shows: The document was a snapshot of potential appraisers for a specific assignment. It includes data such as appraisers’ compliance status, proximity to the property and prior performance.
• What it does not show: The document does not show the method of assignment or the appraiser who completed the assignment. The document does not include responses from appraisers about the assignment, nor does it indicate the specific appraiser ultimately selected and the qualifications of that appraiser. Contrary to the article, the document does not reflect “dubious inner workings” or suggest that our “appraiser selection is driven more by cost-cutting than by a genuine effort to choose the most appropriate professional for the task at hand.”  In fact, the document doesn’t contain appraiser fee information or suggest in any way that Accurate Group “prioritized the lowest fees over the selection of the most qualified and proximate appraisers”.

Fact vs. Fiction: Debunking False Statements

1. False Claim: Accurate Group engages in unethical cost-cutting and bid shopping.
   • Fact: Accurate Group’s processes comply fully with state and federal regulations, including appraiser independence requirements. The internal document referenced in the article is a compliance audit tool that reflects the status of appraisers at a particular moment for an assignment based on various factors including distance, performance and system compliance—but not appraisers’ fees. The document does not state the basis on which the assignment was made, accepted or rejected.
2. False Claim: Accurate Group undermines appraiser independence for lender value preferences.
   • Fact: Accurate Group’s processes are designed to ensure unbiased, accurate valuations. Appraiser independence is central to our operations, and we reject as categorically untrue the statements that we manipulate assignments to benefit lenders or any other stakeholders.
3. False Claim: Accurate Group prioritizes low fees over quality appraisers.
   • • Fact: Assignments are made with multiple factors in mind, including complexity, appraiser experience and the specific needs of the client and borrower.

   Accurate Group’s Commitment to Integrity

   Accurate Group adheres to rigorous compliance standards, ensuring impartiality and fairness in appraiser selection. By leveraging advanced technology and a network of highly qualified professionals, we streamline processes while preserving appraisal integrity.

   The appraisal industry plays a critical role in ensuring trust and fairness in the housing market and Accurate Group remains steadfast in our mission to uphold these values. We welcome constructive discussions about industry practices but urge all parties to base their views on verified facts, not speculation and misinterpretation.

   We urge eAppraise.com, AppraisersBlogs and similar blogs to uphold the same rigorous standards of integrity, accuracy and fairness that they expect from others. Failing to fact-check and verify claims undermines trust and does a disservice to the industry as a whole.

   We call on eAppraise and AppraisersBlogs to hold themselves to the same standards of integrity and fairness they demand of others. Any publication or platform within the appraisal community that fails to fact-check and verify claims undermines trust and does a disservice to the industry as a whole. The publication of misleading claims harms not only Accurate Group but also the broader appraisal industry, which already faces scrutiny prompted in large part by assumptions driven by cherry-picked anecdotes. By presenting assumptions as facts and failing to reach out to Accurate Group for clarification or context, the article presents Accurate Group and AMCs in a false light.

   Moving Forward

   Accurate Group has formally requested a retraction of the article and will continue to prioritize ethics and excellence in service. Our commitment to compliance aligns with regulatory expectations and fosters trust with clients. We will continue to add value by providing accurate, timely and reliable valuations, ultimately enhancing confidence in real estate markets.

   We welcome open dialogue with industry stakeholders and invite anyone with questions about our practices to reach out to us directly. Together, we can build a stronger, more transparent industry.

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