bluechip
Junior Member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2007
- Professional Status
- Licensed Appraiser
- State
- Georgia
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past several weeks you have read about GCAP and what we feel needs to be done to protect appraisers. To be effective we need participation form a majority of the appraisers in Georgia. The current members have laid the groundwork but we are in need of other members to support our goals. We need two things, your participation and your money. Excuse me for being direct but those two things are necessary to help change the environment we find ourselves in.
We are starting to have meetings around the state and hope you will come to one to see what we are all about. The next meeting is in Athens, Georgia this Saturday July 14, 2012 at 10:30 AM. We ask that anyone with an interest please let us know you are coming. We have a conference room reserved but might need to find a larger space if we anticipate a larger turnout. (What a great problem to have)!
Several have asked “What’s in it for me?”
We are working to create a coalition of appraisers with the primary goal of a one mind - one voice approach to the problem. Who better to help solve the problems we face than a group of well educated professionals with one common goal of making an effective change.
There are three primary areas that I feel we need to focus on.
1. Education
2. Political Action
3. Public Awareness
Problem #1:
The main problem that I see with our profession is the lack of uniformity in how we are taught. Most learn to appraise by working with a mentor. Several have good role models who take the time to explain and educate. Others aren’t so lucky.
Solution #1:
We are working with the schools in Georgia to design classes to improve the education level of all GCAP appraisers. We are working to have designations that actually come from an affordable education. The more we collectively come together to provide a more uniform appraisal product the better (and more protected) we all are. The first class I have recommended is “ conformity in residential appraising.” I think if we were all more standardized on how we develop a report the easier it would be for a reviewer to find what’s important in the report. I would also hope that over time our standards would be recognized as setting the bar at a little higher than the average appraisal report.
Problem #2:
ON June 28, 2012 there was a congressional meeting that covered appraisals. The sad fact to report is that government agencies, banks, mortgage companies, and management companies were all represented. No appraisal group was even allowed in the room. I don’t see much of a future in our profession if we wait for these groups to come to a decision as to what is in our best interest
Solution #2:
We are trying to unit members in a coalition that represent a majority of all appraisers in all of Georgia. We need a voice and it needs to be heard. Uniting for the common good of all will effectively provide this voice.
Problem #3:
The general public has no idea as to what we do or our intended purpose in a transaction. We are viewed somewhere between a Witch Doctor and an Accountant. That also reflects how we are perceived by Realtors as well.
Solution #3:
We need to start a campaign to educate the general public to the fact that “We are the only unbiased party in a real estate transaction.” We are there for the protection of all and should be allowed to do our jobs without any outside pressure. We should also work to promote GCAP’s higher standards of work to Realtors. This will go a long way in having them as allies instead of being just another problem they have to deal with.
It is much easier to state the problems and solutions than accomplish these goals. I have talked to appraisers all over Georgia in the past months and almost all have volunteered to help. We need everyone to participate, to work on committees, to help lobby their legislators, and provide the funding needed to make a change.
As a side note, we have started Reslink, an appraisal data service by appraisers and for appraisers. Information on this product will be presented at the meeting. Please consider this as a primary data service. The income from this will help fund political action, education, and public awareness.
I’m sorry if this is a little long winded but I hope you understand the passion that everyone in GCAP has to have in order to promote an effective change. I have met some incredible appraisers who work tirelessly to promote our cause. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for me to be associated with this group. I hope you will find it to be equally rewarding.
Almost a year ago I received a call after I placed a post on John Bryant’s forum. An appraiser I had never met named David Warren asked me if I believed in what I had posted and if I was willing to work to achieve these goals. My answer was “yes”. That was my start to working with this group. I now make the same challenge to you. If you see a need for change please join us!
Respectfully,
John D. (Danny) Mobley
President GCAP
Address:
10:30 AM
337 S. Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605
Over the past several weeks you have read about GCAP and what we feel needs to be done to protect appraisers. To be effective we need participation form a majority of the appraisers in Georgia. The current members have laid the groundwork but we are in need of other members to support our goals. We need two things, your participation and your money. Excuse me for being direct but those two things are necessary to help change the environment we find ourselves in.
We are starting to have meetings around the state and hope you will come to one to see what we are all about. The next meeting is in Athens, Georgia this Saturday July 14, 2012 at 10:30 AM. We ask that anyone with an interest please let us know you are coming. We have a conference room reserved but might need to find a larger space if we anticipate a larger turnout. (What a great problem to have)!
Several have asked “What’s in it for me?”
We are working to create a coalition of appraisers with the primary goal of a one mind - one voice approach to the problem. Who better to help solve the problems we face than a group of well educated professionals with one common goal of making an effective change.
There are three primary areas that I feel we need to focus on.
1. Education
2. Political Action
3. Public Awareness
Problem #1:
The main problem that I see with our profession is the lack of uniformity in how we are taught. Most learn to appraise by working with a mentor. Several have good role models who take the time to explain and educate. Others aren’t so lucky.
Solution #1:
We are working with the schools in Georgia to design classes to improve the education level of all GCAP appraisers. We are working to have designations that actually come from an affordable education. The more we collectively come together to provide a more uniform appraisal product the better (and more protected) we all are. The first class I have recommended is “ conformity in residential appraising.” I think if we were all more standardized on how we develop a report the easier it would be for a reviewer to find what’s important in the report. I would also hope that over time our standards would be recognized as setting the bar at a little higher than the average appraisal report.
Problem #2:
ON June 28, 2012 there was a congressional meeting that covered appraisals. The sad fact to report is that government agencies, banks, mortgage companies, and management companies were all represented. No appraisal group was even allowed in the room. I don’t see much of a future in our profession if we wait for these groups to come to a decision as to what is in our best interest
Solution #2:
We are trying to unit members in a coalition that represent a majority of all appraisers in all of Georgia. We need a voice and it needs to be heard. Uniting for the common good of all will effectively provide this voice.
Problem #3:
The general public has no idea as to what we do or our intended purpose in a transaction. We are viewed somewhere between a Witch Doctor and an Accountant. That also reflects how we are perceived by Realtors as well.
Solution #3:
We need to start a campaign to educate the general public to the fact that “We are the only unbiased party in a real estate transaction.” We are there for the protection of all and should be allowed to do our jobs without any outside pressure. We should also work to promote GCAP’s higher standards of work to Realtors. This will go a long way in having them as allies instead of being just another problem they have to deal with.
It is much easier to state the problems and solutions than accomplish these goals. I have talked to appraisers all over Georgia in the past months and almost all have volunteered to help. We need everyone to participate, to work on committees, to help lobby their legislators, and provide the funding needed to make a change.
As a side note, we have started Reslink, an appraisal data service by appraisers and for appraisers. Information on this product will be presented at the meeting. Please consider this as a primary data service. The income from this will help fund political action, education, and public awareness.
I’m sorry if this is a little long winded but I hope you understand the passion that everyone in GCAP has to have in order to promote an effective change. I have met some incredible appraisers who work tirelessly to promote our cause. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for me to be associated with this group. I hope you will find it to be equally rewarding.
Almost a year ago I received a call after I placed a post on John Bryant’s forum. An appraiser I had never met named David Warren asked me if I believed in what I had posted and if I was willing to work to achieve these goals. My answer was “yes”. That was my start to working with this group. I now make the same challenge to you. If you see a need for change please join us!
Respectfully,
John D. (Danny) Mobley
President GCAP
Address:
10:30 AM
337 S. Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605