ABOUT FLOODPOINT USA
Raymond E. Carroll, Retired
State-Certified General Appraiser RZ165
Ray Carroll practiced in Collier and Lee counties of southwest Florida. All this fast-growing coastal community is in a floodplain.
The Path to Becoming an Expert on 50 Percent Rule Appraisal Assignments.
A particularly challenging 50 Percent Rule appraisal assignment in 2014 led Ray to ask the State of Florida floodplain coordinator for clarification of some FEMA guidance. At his suggestion, Ray launched on a program of education and research that culminated in earning the CFM designation.
Education and research revealed that floodplain administrators are required to make determinations about the reliability of appraisal reports, but they get little or no training to assist that process. With very little helpful guidance, and much confusion about regulatory terminology, appraisers do their best, but often deliver unreliable appraisal reports.
Consequently, floodplain administrators and appraisers come to distrust each other, floodplain administrators discourage the use of appraisals, and the public loses the benefit of the independent professional appraisal that FEMA guidance says is the best way to determine the NFIP “market value.”
Ray Carroll is retired but he continues to be interested in issues affecting appraisers and floodplain administrators