Peter Christensen (805-696-2600)

Risk Management for Real Estate Appraisers and Appraisal Firms

Risk Management Book Cover

Published by the Appraisal Institute (2019), 230 pages.

My book gives practical guidance about liability risk associated with appraisal work and the operation of appraisal firms. It’s not an academic treatise or a guide for lawyers defending (or bringing) claims against appraisers. Rather, it provides realistic, effective suggestions about how to manage risk. The topics range from negligence claims to employee non-compete agreements and independent contractor misclassification.

The book is interesting! The first lawsuit in the book concerns an appraisal of a property called The Resort at Squaw Creek — adjacent to the Squaw Valley ski area. During negotiations to restructure the resort’s debt, someone left a copy of the 400-page appraisal report performed for the lender in a vacant room at the hotel. A housekeeper found it and a copy made its way to the hotel management company and its president (a well-known hotelier). They were upset when they read that the appraiser described their management as “incompetent” and opined that the resort would be worth $18 million more if properly managed. What happens when the company and its president sue the appraiser for negligence and defamation? . . . in chapter 2 of the book.

Do you want to know more about what’s in the book? You can read the table of contents and introduction here: See Table of Contents and Introduction to Risk Management for Real Estate Appraisers

How do you get a copy of the book? There are two ways:

  1. For appraisers in my live or online classes, you can buy the book here for $30 shipping included (the regular retail price of the book is $60). We’ll ship the book by Priority Mail for fast delivery. Use this button to purchase the book: [asp_product id=”397″]
  2. Buy a copy in the Appraisal Institute’s online bookstore.