Question 1

What is the fee model?

Accepted Answer

Home Base uses a flat AMC fee model. We charge lenders a flat fee per order — the same amount regardless of volume or market conditions. That means your take-home fee is predictable and transparent. You know what you'll earn before you accept an assignment. No variable rate games, no fee adjustments after the fact.

Question 2

How much less does Home Base charge vs. competitors?

Accepted Answer

Our flat fee is typically $25–$150 less than competitors who use a percentage-of-fee or variable model. The exact difference depends on property type and market. The consistent point is that appraisers earn more per order with us than with AMCs that take a larger or variable cut.

Question 3

How quickly do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Payment is released promptly once your report is accepted by QC — typically the same business day or the next. Fast, reliable payment is one of the reasons appraisers stay on our panel.

Question 4

How do rush orders affect my fee?

Accepted Answer

Rush fees are passed through at cost. If a lender needs a faster turnaround and the timeframe requires a higher fee, we pass the actual appraiser fee increase to you with no markup. Unlike competitors who add $100–$200 on top of the appraiser's rush fee, we don't take a cut of the rush premium.

Question 5

Does Home Base broadcast orders to multiple appraisers?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not broadcast. Every order is assigned directly to a specific appraiser — the highest-graded, geographically competent appraiser available for that assignment. You're not competing against other appraisers to accept the same order. If it comes to you, it's because you're the right person for it.

Question 6

How long do I have to accept or decline an order?

Accepted Answer

You have 2–4 hours to accept or decline an assignment. There's no penalty for declining. We understand that you may have scheduling conflicts, be outside your best coverage area, or simply not be available. Honest declines keep quality high on both sides.

Question 7

How does Home Base decide who to assign an order to?

Accepted Answer

Assignment is based on two factors: your grade (A–F) and geographic competency. The highest-graded appraiser who is actively licensed and competent in the specific property's market gets first consideration. This rewards quality work with more work — it's designed that way intentionally.

Question 8

Can I work in multiple states?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can be active in every state where you hold a current license and can demonstrate geographic competency. List all your states and counties when you apply. Coverage in hard-to-fill markets — rural areas, mountain communities, resort towns — is especially valuable.

Question 9

How does the grading system work?

Accepted Answer

Every completed report receives a grade of A through F based on quality criteria including report accuracy, completeness, photo quality, comp selection, and communication responsiveness. Your aggregate grade determines your assignment priority — A-graded appraisers receive first consideration for new assignments in their coverage area.

Question 10

What specifically affects my grade?

Accepted Answer

Grading factors include: accuracy of property information and photos, quality and appropriateness of comp selection, gross/net adjustment ratios, USPAP compliance, overall report quality on delivery, and responsiveness to communication from our staff. Consistent quality earns you a better grade. A better grade earns you more orders.

Question 11

Can I improve my grade after a lower rating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Grades reflect your recent performance — not a permanent record. Strong reports on subsequent assignments bring your grade up. Our staff team is available to discuss specific feedback if you want to understand a lower grade on a particular report.

Question 12

What happens if I get a low grade?

Accepted Answer

Lower grades reduce your assignment priority, meaning you'll receive fewer orders in your coverage area until your grade improves. If there are significant quality or compliance concerns, a member of our team will reach out directly. We'd rather help you get back to high-grade status than remove you from the panel.

Question 13

What license level do I need?

Accepted Answer

Certified Residential is required for most residential orders. Certified General is required for commercial orders. Some lenders accept Licensed Residential for conventional residential loans, so we do work with Licensed appraisers for a subset of orders.

Question 14

Do I need FHA approval?

Accepted Answer

For most residential orders, yes — 98% of our panel is FHA-approved. Some lenders accept non-FHA appraisers for conventional-only loans, so there is a portion of the volume that doesn't require FHA approval. If you're currently working toward FHA approval, we can discuss what's available in the interim.

Question 15

What E&O coverage is required?

Accepted Answer

A minimum Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy of $1,000,000 per claim is required. Our system automatically tracks your E&O expiration date and sends a reminder 15 days before it expires. If your E&O lapses, your account is automatically deactivated until you update. Bring your current E&O certificate when you apply.

Question 16

What happens if my license or E&O expires?

Accepted Answer

Our system deactivates your account 15 days before either your license or E&O policy expires. You'll receive automatic reminders before that happens. Once you upload your renewed documentation, a USPAP-certified team member verifies it and reactivates your account — usually the same day.

Question 17

What report formats does Home Base accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept both XML and ENV formats. During your application you'll specify which formats you can deliver. Most appraisers working with TOTAL, ACI, ClickFORMS, or other standard software can produce both. If you only deliver one format currently, indicate that on your application.

Question 18

Do you work with 1004 Desktop reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We accept 1004 Desktop (GSE desktop appraisal) reports and have growing volume for this product type as lenders expand their use of modernization pathways. Indicate on your application whether you accept desktop assignments.

Question 19

What do I need to know about UAD 3.6?

Accepted Answer

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have set November 2026 as the compliance deadline for the new UAD 3.6 standard and redesigned URAR. We are verifying software readiness across our panel ahead of the deadline. Make sure your appraisal software vendor has a UAD 3.6-compliant version available and that you're running it before the mandate takes effect.

Question 20

How does AppraisalDesk work from the appraiser side?

Accepted Answer

AppraisalDesk is Home Base's order management platform. Orders are assigned and tracked through the platform. When an order comes to you, you'll receive a direct notification (not a broadcast). You can track order status, upload your completed report, and communicate with our staff team through the platform. It's designed to be straightforward — most appraisers are comfortable with it within their first few orders.

Question 21

Is there support available if I have a difficult file?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is one of the most meaningful differences in working with Home Base. We have an in-house team of USPAP-trained staff appraisers who handle complex, stuck, or unusual files. If you have a question about a specific assignment — a hard comp situation, an unusual property, a client communication issue — our team is available to help. You're not on your own.

Question 22

How do I handle a situation where a lender is pressuring for a specific value?

Accepted Answer

Report it directly to Home Base immediately. Appraiser independence is a foundational requirement, and we take any attempt to influence an appraiser's independent opinion seriously. Contact our team at the number or email on the contact page, and we will handle the interaction with the lender.

Question 23

What happens after I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Your application goes directly to our panel management team. With complete documentation (license, E&O certificate, FHA cert), review can happen in as little as one hour. You may receive a follow-up question about your coverage area or specific credentials. Once approved, you'll receive access to AppraisalDesk and can start receiving assignments.

Question 24

Why do appraisers come to Home Base rather than you recruiting them?

Accepted Answer

Most appraisers find us through word of mouth from other appraisers. We don't mass-recruit because the quality of the panel matters more than the size. Appraisers who join tend to stay — the combination of flat fees, fast payment, and no broadcast keeps them here. That reputation is why we don't need to go looking.

Everything you need to know.

Fee Model & Pay

Assignment Process

Grading System

Requirements & Licensing

Report Formats & Technology

Working with Home Base

Interested in property data collection?

Ready to apply?