UAD: Proper CITY Identification

Dear Mr. Harrison,

I'm having problems defining the address for many properties I appraise. Here in New Jersey we have properties (typically within Townships) that utilize both (1.) "census-designated" areas (or districts) within the township or (2.) names of neighboring towns for use in their "Mailing Address".

For example:

125 Main Street, MORGANVILLE, NJ is in Marlboro Township
125 Main Street, BELLE MEAD, NJ could be in either Hillsborough or Montgomery Township 
125 Main Street, PRINCETON, NJ could actually be in South Brunswick Township (e.g., a different town and county)
 
I have always written my reports to identify the actual "CITY", "TOWNSHIP"  or "BORO" (as per TAX RECORDS) within the CITY FIELD on the appraisal report.
I have always identified within the ADDRESS FIELD on the appraisal report the "mailing address", which would read as noted above.

Thus:
ADDRESS: 125 Main Street (Princeton)   CITY: South Brunswick Township

I always include language (in the notes section) as to where I obtained this data, an explanation about census-designated areas or districts within townships, or comments (as in the example above) that the mailing address may utilize the name of a neighboring town.
 
If an appraiser were to not identify the actual Township, I feel this could be misleading. Especially in the examples used above with both Belle Mead and Princeton: if an appraiser were to only identify "Belle Mead", what actual TOWNSHIP is it in -- Hillsborough or Montgomery?

If an appraiser were to only identify "Princeton", the reader might actually think the property is in Princeton (Mercer County) and not South Brunswick (Middlesex County). Both answers are therefore misleading and incomplete.
 
Now, AMCs inform me their lender clients want "Princeton" ONLY in the CITY Field. I cannot agree with that. So here comes the question: What is the proper way to do this, and handle my concerns and dilemma with the AMCs? Thanks in advance for your help.

Randy L. Cohen, SCRREA
DK REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL INC.
dkappraisal@yahoo.com

Dear Randy,

I'm sure it is frustrating to be told to report something that makes no sense, given the complexity of place names in your area. You will no longer have this problem starting September 1st, 2011 when URAR appraisal reports will have to comply with the new UAD requirements. These requirements will become mandatory on that date for all appraisals to be sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They will be computer checked and when the computer rejects the appraisal, it will be returned to the lender for corrections. How the corrections will be made and by whom will vary. 

Below is an excerpt from my new UAD book, regarding the UAD requirements on how to report Property Address. It is highly codified, as you will see, and does not permit any deviations from their format. You may have to add your notes about the actual property address versus the mailing address in your addenda, to avoid the problems you outline above. The UAD guide contains a condensation of USPS Regulation 28 which is all you need for most locations. However, in locations like yours, I suggest you contact the postmaster in the area where you are working and get their opinion of the correct address requirements for the location of the subject property.

HSH
askhenryharrison@revmag.com

For more information about my new book, to be published April 30th, and to pre-order a copy now (and get a $5 pre-publication discount), use Discount Code $5PPUAD and click this link:  HARRISON's COMPLETE UAD BOOK (PRE-ORDER) 

UAD Requirements

Dear H2,

The UAD is scheduled to go into effect September 1st, 2011. What will happen to the UAD requirements if Fannie and Freddie are no longer around in September?

Brent Hodges
sbhodges@bellsouth.net

Dear Brent,

It's anyone's guess how long Fannie and Freddie will "be around". However, I'm a betting man and will accept reasonable wagers that both of these so-called Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) will be around on September 1, 2011. I might even consider a bet on September 1, 2012.

HSH
askhenryharrison@revmag.com

UAD Updates and Corrections

Dear Henry,

I am going to take advantage of your COMBO offer and order your new Complete UAD Guide and the Illustrated Guide to the URAR form. However...I noticed that the UAD is already being revised. How will you handle that? Will you be emailing updates, blogging about them or what? I realize it is our responsibility to stay up on this; however you might have a great sales tool if you promised to cover all updates on your website or send something by email to us. I have a fear of missing something if it is only up to me to track this monster coming in September! I don't underestimate what a big change this will mean for us appraisers.

Thanks,
Alisa McKeel Willson
CA State Certified Appraiser
appraiseralisa@gmail.com

Dear Alisa,

You are quite right in assuming that there will be corrections and updates to the UAD instructions. I am putting the final touches on my Complete UAD Guide now. I've already found many inconsistencies between Fannie Mae's Addenda D and Addenda A, which I think they will have to resolve. Other problems will no doubt be uncovered as the UAD is analyzed, considered, added to software packages, and implemented.

Since UAD updates and corrections appear to be a certainty, you'll be glad to know that we do plan to publish all updates to my Complete UAD Guide as they are released, on our Real Estate Valuation Magazine & BLOG. All subscribers will receive email notifications of these changes when they've been posted. (Subscriptions to REV Magazine Online are free. The update link is at the top of the righthand column.)

I'm frankly surprised by how many of our readers seem to be oblivious regarding this major Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac initiative. They apparently do not realize yet just how complex the UAD requirements are, which go into effect for all Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac URAR appraisals with effective dates from September 1, 2011 on.

HSH
askhenryharrison@revmag.com