TJS Appraisals

TJS appeared to perform the appraisal and submit the report in a timely manner. The appraised value appears reasonable and the methods used to support the value also appear reasonable. However, the appraiser failed to accurately complete the required VA paperwork which caused the appraisal to be flagged by underwriting and threatened to delay closing. When contacted and asked to correct the issue, first by my lender and then by me, Mr. Sokol was confrontational, dismissive and thoroughly unprofessional. Sokol dismissed the underwriter's concerns as nitpicking and displayed no concern whatsoever about how his actions may impact closing or any other events tied to closing. It remains to be seen whether or not Mr. Sokol will rectify the issues in time for a scheduled closing. At this point, his clear lack of concern for the timing seems to indicate a delayed closing. An appraiser's job is to provide an objective third party assessment of a home's value and back up this value with the best data available. In this respect, Mr. Sokol and TJS performed as expected. But an appraiser must also display a high level of attention to detail, in particular when working with VA appraisals. Failure to do so, and failure to complete appraisal paperwork to the standard required for VA loan underwriting can have ripple effects on a real estate transaction, resulting in delayed closings, additional expenses for transitional housing, and rescheduling fees for contractors and movers. An appraiser is not expected to always tell a homeowner or a lender what they want to hear. What I expect them to do, as I expect all vendors to do, is to conduct their business with professionalism and themselves with some modicum of mutual respect. I can handle bad news, but I will not tolerate disrespect or open contempt from a service provider. I treat my customers with warmth and respect in my business, even when I disagree with them. I see no reason why VA appraisers and TJS can't operate under the same philosophy.