A Letter From The Appraisal Institute

[TC]

I don't understand why anyone primarily doing residential appraisals would want to join the AI.

 

[Carrie Vann]

Typical response from national; Send a link.

Makes me happy that my son is going to take Mckissock QE courses because the institute only sent a link to "What it means to be an appraiser" when asked about taking QE.

You specifically responded to my post with inaccurate information - that Candidate Advisory Guidance never existed. The link sends you to a document which explains, in detail, the application and process for Candidate Advisory Guidance (which exists). If you would like to share your name I'd be more than happy to have someone call you and walk you through the process for Candidate Advisory Guidance. Also, if you'd like to share your son's name I'd be more than happy to have someone call you from our customer service team to walk him through our QE courses and discounted bundles. I'm guessing you will not publicly share your name with me so if you'd like to email me we can discuss this further. I can be reached at cvann@appraisalinstitute.org.

 

[cpursley]

QE courses and discounted bundles

AI should really consider reduced trainee education pricing (I was so broke after college that I had to put it on credit cards). The first several years appraisers make peanuts - the education is very expensive for new entrants. AI would easily make up for it with the increased long term membership fees.

 

[Non Sequitur]

You specifically responded to my post with inaccurate information - that Candidate Advisory Guidance never existed. The link sends you to a document which explains, in detail, the application and process for Candidate Advisory Guidance (which exists). If you would like to share your name I'd be more than happy to have someone call you and walk you through the process for Candidate Advisory Guidance. Also, if you'd like to share your son's name I'd be more than happy to have someone call you from our customer service team to walk him through our QE courses and discounted bundles. I'm guessing you will not publicly share your name with me so if you'd like to email me we can discuss this further. I can be reached at cvann@appraisalinstitute.org.

Service tickets 5905 and 5413.

 

[Woodeye]

ahhh. yes - that POS was originally developed by AI.

Actually, it was not. A couple of professors from the University of Mississippi persuaded the AI board to license the AI IP, branding it AIReady. The AI later pulled out of it.

 

[Woodeye]

I don't understand why anyone primarily doing residential appraisals would want to join the AI.

It has made a huge impact on my career. My SRA has landed me some really nice assignments over the years.

 

[chad hampton]

AI made their position on residential appraisers very clear when they fired their CEO they would’ve had at least 200-500 new members by now with more to come. It’s very clear who they side with and it’s not the residential appraiser.

I know a couple MAI’s who only have it because they work at Banks and the commercial world in banking still feels it’s important. And they get all their education paid for as well as their dues paid by their company. but every one of them is disgusted by the positions that AI leadership holds.

As his customary with this profession, the leadership should not be in the positions they are in.

 

[Woodeye]

AI made their position on residential appraisers very clear when they fired their CEO they would’ve had at least 200-500 new members by now with more to come. It’s very clear who they side with and it’s not the residential appraiser.

I know a couple MAI’s who only have it because they work at Banks and the commercial world in banking still feels it’s important. And they get all their education paid for as well as their dues paid by their company. but every one of them is disgusted by the positions that AI leadership holds.

As his customary with this profession, the leadership should not be in the positions they are in.

The CEO situation has nothing to do with residential appraisers or non-residential appraisers. Folks who have come to that unfortunate conclusion have jumped to it with no support, just an assumption based on feelings. But you do you.

I value my designation; it puts money in my pocket. I work with the organization as a volunteer and actually see what they do and don't do. Individuals who dislike the AI will not change their minds and will instead look for reasons to support their feelings. Confirmation bias abounds.

 

[chad hampton]

AI folks are all the same. You bring up feelings, which typically mean you lost the argument. I met your old CEO at a conference, listen to her speak many times. Who you have at the face of your organization does matter. Think of how much better your profession would be if your organization advocated for appraisers as opposed to just handing out three letter certifications that get you an occasional job here and there.

I’ve sat at meetings with state boards, where your AI paid DC lobbyist walks in with the paid Revaa lobbyist, and they both hold the same exact position that the mortgage bankers association lobbyist holds. Let that sink in.

I spent 15 years in my state organization, trying to battle snake oil sales salesman with AI designations that advocated in direct opposition to what appraisers in this state wanted. What is interesting is anytime we would meet with the state AI board members, they would have the same opinions we do. But when national came in, they just sat there and did nothing and basically told us they’re not allowed to say anything that opposes what national is pushing.

It’s a corrupt organization, but hey, you do you

 

[Woodeye]

AI folks are all the same. You bring up feelings, which typically mean you lost the argument. I met your old CEO at a conference, listen to her speak many times. Who you have at the face of your organization does matter. Think of how much better your profession would be if your organization advocated for appraisers as opposed to just handing out three letter certifications that get you an occasional job here and there.

I’ve sat at meetings with state boards, where your AI paid DC lobbyist walks in with the paid Revaa lobbyist, and they both hold the same exact position that the mortgage bankers association lobbyist holds. Let that sink in.

I spent 15 years in my state organization, trying to battle snake oil sales salesman with AI designations that advocated in direct opposition to what appraisers in this state wanted. What is interesting is anytime we would meet with the state AI board members, they would have the same opinions we do. But when National came in, they just sat there and did nothing and basically told us they’re not allowed to say anything that opposes what National is pushing.

It’s a corrupt organization, but hey, you do you

I actually get several assignments a year from my designations but whatever. No one handed me my SRA; I earned it through hard work.

I am very familiar with whether the organization advocates for appraisers, and to say they don't is just wrong. I know Bill, the former "lobbyist," and the current one, Scott. You do realize that individuals who do that for a living have to sit at tables and attend meetings with people they are generally opposed to. They do not allow emotions and immature reactions to cause issues. If they were prone to that, they would not be able to make a living doing it. Folks who advocate or lobby have to deal with others who are opposed to their existence professionally and do it without devolving into petulant behavior. Being agreeable while disagreeing is possible. In some cases, people share the same opinion as the MBA. In other cases, it doesn't; it varies from issue to issue. National does not control what any member says or does. If the Chapter has a different opinion than National, they are free to act accordingly. There is no requirement that we must agree with national. I know in Virginia we have not always agreed with the National's perspective, and that was that. I have personally disagreed with various leadership folks directly to their face, yet I somehow manage to stay active in the organization. I can disagree with others without being disagreeable.

There are certainly designated members who do not share my opinion of what is best for the profession. There are some individuals who are harming the profession. I disagree with many, but they have earned the designation, and unless they do something to lose it or relinquish it, they get to keep it. However, just because they have a designation does not mean that they necessarily represent the organization or that their stance on any issue is indicative of the AI's position on that matter.

You have your view on it and that's fine. Folks are allowed to believe whatever they want. You have a limited understanding of what the AI does and doesn't do, and you are letting your perception and some limited interactions inform you.