HARVILL APPRAISALS

This all went so wrong that it's hard to know where to begin. First, to be fair, they did call to schedule with us very quickly after Quicken contacted them, and they did show up on time. I give them credit for that, but that's where my good comments end. First off, the lady who wrote the appraisal was NOT who came out, which is an FHA violation. (one among many they committed) Instead she sent out two guys who came and left so quickly that it was like a hit and run accident! They spent about 5 minutes in the house, took very few (unflattering and randomly angled) pics, and no notes that I could see. I gave them copies of 3 structural engineer reports stating the foundation was sound, and a very complete list of upgrades and remodels. They did not test any systems, an FHA violation. They had to ask if the floors were wood or laminate, something obvious to any good appraiser. They then spent maybe 10 minutes measuring the outside and taking more photos. I asked them if they needed to get in the attic, and they said no. (another code violation) Then they said "we're on the move!" and zoomed off, presumably to stuff in as many paying jobs as possible that day. We were left feeling nervous and doubtful, but hoping for the best. The number we got back was way lower than the modest figure we had been working with at Quicken. When I was finally given a copy of the report, I realized our remodel had not been mentioned, and I assumed they had lost the info sheet I gave them. Glaring mistakes were made. The appraiser also recommended an inspection of the foundation, an insult since I had just given them 3 engineer reports! (File "13", anyone??) That cost us another $300 plus. She had not used the comps properly, adjusting for various factors like using comps' taxable square footage vs. our "actual" sf, (also measured wrong) amenities, updates, etc. and she assigned a replacement value about $32,000 LESS than our insurance company had just 2 weeks before determined ours to be, as a basis for depreciation. In short, when politely confronted with these discrepancies by Quicken, they held firm. Eventually they agreed to "make corrections", but did not increase the value! Meaning about $25,000 of remodeling had no value. "Nothing that stands out", the amendment said, although the second opinion appraiser gave us kudos for the "wow factor" in our new master bath and complimented our house wide remodel. Of course it didn't "stand out", since you could barely tell from the horrible pics, and she prob didn't bother to compare our house to actual inside pics of the comps. Also, she was never here!! Upon further inquiry by Quicken, we were told that apparently the appraiser had sent out "trainees" to do the job she legally should have done herself. She could not make a fair appraisal given lack of info, poor research and bad pics Even when confronted with the need for revision, she chose instead to "cover her butt." We will be reporting them to the FHA for their violations in practice. After doing more research, the only reviews I found for this company were 2 scathing ones. I would avoid this one like the plague! They almost cost me my refinance. Thank God we were given a second chance with another appraiser! See my other review for David Nosser, who is amazing.