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Consumer FAQ:

How do I obtain a reputable appraiser?

What can I do if I'm not happy with an appraisal?

How much does an appraisal cost?

Whom do I contact for advice on avoiding foreclosure?

How do I know if a property is a meth-damaged property?

How do I determine if an individual is licensed?

How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?

What happens after I file a complaint?  What can the state do if I have a legitimate grievance?

How do I know when and where regulatory boards meet?

Does this board have a newsletter to which I can subscribe?

 

 

How do I obtain a reputable appraiser?

 

On this web site, download a County Listing of Licensees, in it there is a listing of licensed and certified appraisers who are eligible to appraise in Tennessee. If there is a loan involved, the lending institution must be the one who hires the appraiser. For personal services such as estates, divorces, etc., you should inquire as to the appraisers education and experience and their competency in performing an appraisal on your type of property.

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What can I do if I'm not happy with an appraisal?

 

If there is a loan involved, the lending institutiion is the appraiser's client. Any concerns may be brought to the lender's attention. If there are flagrant errors in the report, you may file a complaint with the Commission by completing a complaint form, providing a copy of the report and pointing out any discrepancies.

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How much does an appraisal cost?

 

This is not regulated by this Commission. The cost depends upon the type of property and will vary in different areas of the state and country.  Usually within an area, the costs do not vary greatly. With a few phone calls to different appraisers, you should be able to determine a reasonable cost.

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Whom do I contact for advice on avoiding foreclosure?

 

This is not regulated by this Commission.  You may wish to contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA) for guidance with this matter.  You can view their Web site, then click on the "Avoid Foreclosure" link under the section "At Your Service."  You can also call them at 1-800-CALL-FHA (1-800-225-5342). To find out more about HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and their services through the HUD Web site.

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Fannie Mae also recently announced a program called HomeSaver Advance which is a mortgage workout option designed to help delinquent borrowers. Fannie Mae can be contacted online or by phone (1-800-732-6643) for more information.

 

You may also call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation at 1-888-995-HOPE to talk with an experienced counselor or visit the Foundation website.

 

The Tennessee Development Agency may have additional resources for consumer use. General Information: 615-815-2200. Toll Free Message Line: 800-228-THDA. TTY Line: 615-532-2894

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How do I know if a property is a meth-damaged property?

 

A listing of properties where arrests occurred or labs were found is available on from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. A Meth Offender Registery is available from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

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How do I determine if an individual is licensed?

You can view a complete list of licensed or certified appraisers on the TREAC Web site by selecting County Listing of Appraisers. For all credentials issued by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, you may select License Search.  You may also search for appraisers on the National Registry via the Appraisal Subcommittee.  Select the “National Registry” link, then “Custom Query” for a list of national appraisers. This will also notify you if the appraiser holds credentials in more than one state.

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How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?

The Real Estate Appraiser Commission does not credential companies, but you may file a complaint against a real estate appraiser. A complaint form is available on our Web site.

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What happens after I file a complaint?  What can the state do if I have a legitimate grievance?

• By opening a complaint file for further investigation and processing, neither this office, the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission, nor the department’s Office of Legal Counsel has adopted your point of view, nor are we able to act as your advocate.
• We have not agreed to seek discipline against the respondent-appraiser, merely because a complaint has been opened.
• We do not represent either the complainant’s interests or those of respondent-appraiser in the processing of a complaint, but only represent the interests of the State of Tennessee, which may differ from the interests of particular complainants or respondents on a case-by-case basis.
•  In some complaints, we will determine that the matter should be closed. In others, we will seek and may obtain discipline against a respondent-appraiser’s license or certificate.
• We cannot provide you with legal advice. Should you desire legal advice or desire to file suit against an appraiser, please consult with independent legal counsel of your choosing. We can offer no opinion on whether any suit should or should not be filed. Also, please keep in mind that the filing of a complaint with this office does not toll, or stop the running, of any statute of limitations which may exist on filing a lawsuit.
• We do not seek damages on behalf of complainants and in most instances cannot recover allegedly excessive fees paid to respondent-appraisers on your behalf.
• Our jurisdiction is limited to seeking and obtaining professional discipline against a respondent-appraiser’s license or certificate. Types of discipline include revocation, suspension, and probation of licenses and certificates, the imposition of civil monetary penalties, and additional education.
• All documents a complainant may submit to us will be considered public records and cannot be held confidentially on your behalf.
• Please understand that while we endeavor to resolve all complaints promptly, some matters take longer than others to resolve. In some instances, lengthy settlement negotiations are taking place. In others, contested case proceedings that may require a contested hearing might take considerable time. Many complaints have to be reviewed for probable cause determinations by sitting Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission members, and this process takes time. There may be other factors present in individual cases that take considerable time for certain complaints to resolve.
• We have made no determination regarding whether there will be a hearing on any preliminary complaint. Not all complaints result in hearings. The Real Estate Appraiser Commission will determine whether a hearing is necessary. If a hearing is later scheduled in this complaint and if it becomes necessary for the complainant to attend as a witness, we will notify you.
• In any event, you will be notified in writing of the outcome of your complaint.
• Please remember to notify us in writing of any changes in your mailing and/or e-mail addresses during the pendency of your complaint, or of any changes in your phone and/or fax numbers.
• Finally, please keep in mind that there are no appeal rights on behalf of a Complainant to challenge the decisions of the Commission or Department in the courts of this state.
  

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How do I know when and where regulatory boards meet?

Calendars and agendas are available online.

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Does this board have a newsletter to which I can subscribe?

Yes. You may subscribe online.