Who gives the middle finger to Purple Heart Recipients (let alone anyone who has served) ?!?! Worst of the worst! I wish I could leave NEGATIVE stars. Steven Manley has no regard for the lives he negatively affected due to his "uncooperative and combative" behavior (quoted from the VA representative I spoke with on 10/24 - 12 days after the appraisal was due!). As much as I would love to share my personal feelings about some of the statements he made to me about veterans and the lack of priority he assigns to certain files I will rather keep this review strictly to dates & facts as they pertain to the transaction. Client names and the addresses will not be included for protection of privacy. Escrow Opened: Oct 2nd Appraisal Ordered: Oct 2nd As the list agent on the property, I was contacted by Steven Manley on Oct 8th for access to the home so he could conduct the appraisal. He called me THREE times within an hour on a Sunday morning (8th) for access the next day. I was at the gym and called him back immediately and told him I could provide a 1 day code for the lockbox as is customary. This was when I first sensed trouble. He replied that it would be against the regulations and that the owner would have to meet him at the home since it is occupied. NOT TRUE! Most appraisers have Sentri Cards to access lockboxes and that certainly isn't a VA regulations or rule! After the appraisal on Monday I called and text to ask if it went OK or if he had any questions. No response, not too uncommon. As the due date approached the lender said the appraisal was not uploaded and no one has heard from him. As the due date came and went people became increasingly alarmed. It wasn't until I was actually able to get Steve Manley to answer that I really got sick to my stomach. My client was both a seller and buyer; Selling property A to buy property B. Seller of property B allowed my client to move in right before the expected close of escrow date and had an offer accepted on Property C (which was contingent on selling property B which of course was contingent on property A closing). TWO combat veterans, three properties, and many professionals trying to make a living in the real estate industry - ALL NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY STEVE MANLEY. When I spoke to Steve Manley, 4 days after the appraisal was due; he made the remark that it is complete but he is extremely busy and can't keep up with the workload. He went on to tell me that no appraisal is more important than any other file and, "who cares if veterans are upset, you think you are the first person to tell me that?!" Steve went on to tell me that he has 8 files that are more delinquent than mine and it makes no difference to him who the buyers/sellers are nor does he care that they are paying a $150 per diem (per day) penalty! After that, he stuck his head in the sand and took both of his phones off the hook for 2 days. I was only able to get him to answer by calling from a co-workers phone after he put his phones back on the hook (landlines). I then explained that my client's rate lock is about to expire and my client (recipient of multiple purple hearts!) has accrued over $1,000 in per diem fees due to his (Steve Manley's) delays and is about to incur another $1,000 or more due to the rate lock expiring! At this point the VA is getting calls, the file is being escalated, but not able to be re-assigned. During my next conversation with Steve he said the report is complete but because so many people complained to the VA and "got him in trouble," he was going to sit on it a little while longer! THAT is hijacking a transaction out of bitterness with no regard to the veterans! After this, he disappeared yet again! Not even the VA could reach him. I was informed that the local (Ramona) Sheriff Dept even went to his residence to perform a health & well-being check after his family members voiced concern over his unresponsiveness and alluded to some personal problems Steve Manley has been facing (can't mention it by name because apparently this "issue" is now considered a protected class). This helped explain us not being able to reach him for long periods of time and him apparently having no recollection of previous promised made (and unkept). Steve was more responsive after law enforcement had to intervene but that still did not help the veterans affected. Even after multiple attempts from the VA, the VA yanking Steve Manley from the VA appraiser rotation, he still didn't upload the appraisal. It wasn't until the VA started the re-assignment process that Steve Manley saw his $ at risk and finally uploaded the report. My client moved from house A to house B and was nearly kicked out in the street with his family because the owner of house B was in escrow and getting heat on house C. There is nothing more heartbreaking than receiving phone calls from a concerned person asking if they are going to be homeless and what have they done to... (SEE PART 2) read more

Wow! I have been in real estate for 20+ years and I have never experienced such unprofessional conduct in my life in any industry. I am a solutions oriented person but there is almost nothing you can do when you have an appraiser hijack a deal. Lets just say one cog in our wheel made the entire real estate transaction very challenging. read more

I am a new Home buyer I'm a Veteran and a Naval Spouse When we put in for the home that we had I didn't get a home inspector because it was expensive and I didn't have the extra funds. When you are a Vet and you use your VA loan you are supposed to have the most top of the line appraiser that is supposed to be just as good as a home inspector more meticulous because they are working for the VA. Well the VA and my bank need to stay clear of this Appraiser. and company I was charged $450 (for the inspection) and then I was charged an extra $100 no show fee. I didn't even know that he was at the house to look at it. If I would have known trust and believe I would have been there. Actually no one knew to my knowledge. My relator didn't know and the seller didn't know that he was there. When I moved in I noticed out dated outlets, the flute for the dryer was crunched and a couple of other things wrong. My realtor tried to assure me that if it was a big deal that the appraiser would have pinged on it. So I move in and The water to the master is shut off. The gas was turned off any ways, so I had to call the gas company to turn it on. Well the guy comes out and tells me I have a leak. Fabulous more money to spend on the house. Grant it I knew that since the house was built in 1954 that it would be a project house, but not like this. So he called out another guy and he points out that the Carbon Monoxide alert didn't have fresh batteries ( the batteries were dead). The BIG ONE is the water heater is leaking and boy you can see it. All the things that I have seen and what other professionals had seen while providing my service is just crazy to me. Looking on the paperwork to make sure that I didn't miss something they all said no repairs needed or no discrepancies. How could stuff like that not be mentioned. The reviewer was KENNETH ROWDON. So if you have a say tell your bank that orders the appraisal or the VA know not to hire this company and definitely don't hire Kenneth Rowdon. With no hot water heater I haven't had a hot shower or bath in 4 days. Literally bird bathing it in the sink. Thank goodness I have a warranty for the house or I would be up Crap Creek. read more

Steven Manley & Associates - See the rust and water puddle? How do you give that a pass ?

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