Can Sacramento Agents Talk to Appraisers?

Whether Sacramento agents talk to appraisers depends on the agent.

If you are wondering if Sacramento Agents talk to appraisers or whether this type of communication between agent and appraiser is allowed, you are not alone. Even real estate agents are often confused. They hear that interaction between agents and appraisers is against the law, and they don’t understand at what point in the transaction this can apply. Agents, I hate to say, are often guilty of not thinking through complex situations. They sometimes tend to memorize bits and pieces that don’t always add up.

If you think I am being too hard on real estate agents in general, especially when I am a Sacramento agent myself, consider the guy who sends an offer to the listing agent and comments: “This is really an aggressive offer. It’s a very strong offer. You will love this serious purchase offer,” and then you discover the purchase offer is only $1,000 over list price. Especially when every other offer is much, much higher. And multiple offers are rolling in by the handfuls . . . Do these agents talk to appraisers? Probably not.

To answer the question: Can Sacramento agents talk to appraisers? Absolutely. Before the appraisal is completed, a Sacramento agent can send comparable sales to the appraiser, discuss the property, sell the features and benefits and explain why the sales price is solid. Contrary to popular belief, a Sacramento agent does not have to meet with the appraiser at the property to be aggressive as that is pretty much old school thinking. We have cell phones and email today, and the written word is powerful.

It helps if the Sacramento agent is an authoritative figure (with experience) and can speak with the appraiser from that position, utilizing appraisal guidelines. Appraisal speak. If the agent can’t talk appraisal speak, the agent could have a problem. Communication should be limited to similar configuration, age, condition and location. If there are no comparable sales — and in many neighborhoods comps are limited due to inventory shortages — it helps to understand the principle of substitution.

Most appraisers will contact the listing agent to determine access to the property. Is your Sacramento agent prepared to speak with the appraiser? Further, can Sacramento agents talk to appraisers? They can, especially if your agent is Elizabeth Weintraub at Lyon Real Estate. Call 916.233.6759.