Help with Unethical Behavior by Appraiser

[Lisa Kester]

Possible ethical misconduct:

I listed a house for my spouse and his brother that was an estate. I sold the house to a close friend who is an investor. He also purchased all of the contents for an estate sale outside of closing and had no effect on the appraisal. However, the appraiser took photos of the inside with all contents which is fine and was expected. But it was brought to my attention and the buyer has proof that the appraiser shared those photos with a member of the public.

The appraiser informed his “friend” that the buyer would be selling the HAM radio equipment most likely, not a few hundred dollar’s worth of equipment but several thousand dollar’s worth. The house was vacant , my father in law recently passed away and that info was shared as well. Showing these photos to a private individual constitutes some type of ethical breach of conditionality, correct. Also, revealed details of contents could have lead this person to share info with someone else, would may have took the opportunity to break into the home.

Obviously, the buyer is extremely upset as well as my family because our personal business was shared with people that was not a party to the transaction, which should violate some code conduct.

My question is: can someone point me to a standard of conduct or ethical information that would explain the recourse or ramifications for this type of activity by this appraiser.

I’ve searched high and low, but I haven’t found anything.

[Wayne Brooks]

Should he have shared the knowledge....probably not.  I don’t see any illinyention.  Has any harm been caused...not that I can see.