Yesterday, many of First American eAppraiseIT's "Appraisal Partners" received a letter from the President of eAppraiseIT, Anthony R. Merlo, Jr. Download eappraiseitletter.pdf (18.6K)
The topic of the letter was Protecting the security of an appraiser's pdf files. The intent appears to be the clarification of their policy (prior to 4/12/07) of removing the security on appraisal files for the stated purpose of adding an electronic watermark.
The letter starts out:
This memo is to clarify that eAppraiseIT does not open an appraiser’s pdf file to make additions or corrections. Prior to April 12, 2007, an electronic watermark indicating that the appraisal was performed for First American eAppraiseIT or one of our client panels was added to the appraisal reports. This was done for protection of the appraiser, the client and the general public. Even though we believe this to be a sound policy, we have discontinued it due the sensitivity brought on by current market forces.
As an appraiser, it's hard to understand how removing the security features that I've put in place, and required by USPAP, can be for MY protection. . 
I applaude them for reversing their policy, but do not agree that it was ever a "sound policy".
You can read the complete letter for yourself and see if you think the letter makes sense or is just spin!
Recent Comments