Hometown Real Estate Appraisers, Inc. understands the need that lenders have for "Comp Checks". or what ever you want to call them. However, we can not usually perform such a request and follow the Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice and Arizona Law at the same time. 

On a day to day basis we are often propositioned with the following, "Hey can you run these comps for me? If you do and the estimated market value is high enough to make our program work we will order the appraisal from you." This scenario can/and is considered a violation of both Arizona Law (Title 32, Chapter 36, Article 3, Section 3636, Paragraph A) and the Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice as shown below.

USPAP Ethics Rule:

It is unethical for an appraiser to accept an assignment, or to have a compensation arrangement for an assignment, that is contingent on any of the following:

1.     the reporting of a predetermined result (e.g., opinion of value);

2.     a direction in assignment results that favors the cause of the client;

3.     the amount of a value opinion;

4.     the attainment of a stipulated result; or

5.     the occurrence of a subsequent event directly related to the appraiser’s opinions and specific to the assignment’s purpose.

The above scenario would be violating at least one of the above conditions, and probably three or more.

Please do not present us with this scenario!

THANKS!