As an REO agent we have our agent Broker Price Opinion (BPO)"verified" by a formal appraisal ordered by the Seller. This happens when we work one of the "major" lenders. We've also sold assets through a "third party" liquidation service and they use our BPO but have a senior reviewer on staff who ask very pertinent questions on the BPO. Our BPO's are not the usual $50 to $70.00 BPO ordered by third parties trying to give the lender of record an idea of value. I find those BPO's virtually worthless and suspect for reasons I would not like to go into here.
Once the property is placed on the market we must do a BPO every 30 days (this is for a major bank). However, other Asset Managment companies have varying levels of verification and performance monitoring. The REO market and the agents who work it differ greatly. The "major lenders" and their peer banks have very strict guidelines. The other companies and asset managers are a different breed. So do we get an appraisal BEFORE it hits the MLS? YES and NO! - Sat Nov 21 2009, 22:18