Appraisal Institue vs. McKissock Procdures

[The Warrior Monk]

I haven't taken any qualifying education through McKissock so I can't comment on their courses. However, I have taken a test recently (certified general), which is very difficult. If you take the AI courses and pay attention, you will pass the exam (barring consideration that some people are just naturally bad test takers), as their tests are of a similar level of difficulty to the state exam. I've done a lot of consulting recently with regard to courses/exams, and a common theme that is arising is that people that are failing the licensing exams haven't taken their course through AI.

 

[Vermonter]

Did the AI courses for initial licensing and continuing ed until about 09. Another guy in the office I trained in used Mckissock. We both passed our CR exam on the first try. If you're pursuing a designation, obviously it's better to start with AI. If not there are cheaper options. Community college is one of them.

Would have stuck with AI, however they lost approval in my state for CE (since regained it) and went elsewhere. Did my last round of CE with Mckissock and didn't have any issues. Live classes are about the same as far as I can tell. Online I'd have to give to Mckissock for the better user interface. Both are kind of lacking in new course material for CE.

 

[Renee Healion]

There is a good instructor for AI based out of Louisville, Otto Spence. He probably does not do the intro courses, but if those who do are like him, you will be off to a fine start. It is best to get a good foundation to support you over the course of your career.

 

[JTip]

There is a good instructor for AI based out of Louisville, Otto Spence.

Man, I like Otto. Smart fella and one of those teachers that keep the class interesting. Had him for the general sales comparison class. Next time he is pub crawling with us.

 

[Rlong]

AI courses definitely tend to be more comprehensive. Took one of each this year. Like most things you tend to get what you pay for.

Bob in CO

 

[Don Clark]

AI course will be better quality and will probably cost more.

McKissock will be cheaper and will be more convenient.

You have to decide if your priority is the credit hours or learning.

I agree. I have been an instructor of real estate since 1984, and appraisal courses since 1998, and have taught for McKissock as the second instructor hired by them.

The best appraisal courses I have ever taken were AI courses, and, I am not a member. I just know quality when I experience it.

 

[Ann O'Rourke]

When you are first getting started in appraising (or anything else) it is very important to get good instruction. Why? It is much, much easier to learn it correctly the first time than to try to erase what you know and put something new into your head!!!

When I first started drumming (drumset) about 10 years ago, my first teacher told me he was self taught on drums and piano. When he went to college he had to completely relearn how to play them correctly. He was 18 years old and highly motivated. He was a musical "genius" who composed symphonies in college that were performed by orchestras. I had another instructor later. I noticed he had some long time drummers come in for lessons. I asked him about teaching them. He said very few could or would modify their techniqes after being sef-taught or poorly instructed.

This definitely applies to appraising. I regularly see the effects of poor initial appraisal classes. It is very sad.

I took all my classes from the Appraisal Institute (and predecessor organizations). I took a few appraisal classes at a local junior college but they were way inferior. This was long before licensing and proprietary appraisal schools.

 

[Bob Ipock]

AI course will be better quality and will probably cost more.

McKissock will be cheaper and will be more convenient.

You have to decide if your priority is the credit hours or learning.

Why will the AI class be better quality? It is the same course, approved by the AQB and the state appraisal board. Laying the two books side by side, neither has better quality.

The instructor. Flip of the coin. There is absolutely no reason to assume the AI instructor is superior to any other instructor. Most likely the AI guy will be a traveling instructor who will have no geographic competency or knowledge of the local area where the classes may be taught. Makes it tough to show the practical side of appraising with examples the students may understand.

The AI class may be different, it may be better but there is NO guarantee it will be and the chances are pretty well equal that there will be little difference in the classes.

There is positively zero evidence that taking AI classes means anything except higher costs.

And no...I do not teach pre-license classes and have not since 2007 when I saw the pool of trainees far, far exceeding the number of available supervisors.

 

[Michigan CG]

Why will the AI class be better quality? It is the same course, approved by the AQB and the state appraisal board. Laying the two books side by side, neither has better quality.

The instructor. Flip of the coin. There is absolutely no reason to assume the AI instructor is superior to any other instructor. Most likely the AI guy will be a traveling instructor who will have no geographic competency or knowledge of the local area where the classes may be taught. Makes it tough to show the practical side of appraising with examples the students may understand.

The AI class may be different, it may be better but there is NO guarantee it will be and the chances are pretty well equal that there will be little difference in the classes.

There is positively zero evidence that taking AI classes means anything except higher costs.

And no...I do not teach pre-license classes and have not since 2007 when I saw the pool of trainees far, far exceeding the number of available supervisors.

There seems to be a consensus here that AI classes are superior yet you seem to disagree for what I think are unsupported arguments. Personally I would pay double for an AI class as I would any other provider as I have experience with the AI and other providers.

Anyone pursuing a commercial license would make a bad choice by taking anything other than AI courses IMNSHO.

 

[The Warrior Monk]

FWIW, I've taken "qualifying" courses through NAIFA, SREA, AIREA, and a local proprietary school. The SREA (now part of AI) were by far the best qualifying course for residential courses I took. The best general courses I took, hands down, were the AIREA (now part of AI) courses. The only reason I passed my CG exam was because of those AIREA courses I took 20 years ago.

It's not just the instructor; it's that way the material is presented. The AI, in my experience, by far and away covers the most material in the most detail, and has the most difficult exams. In fact, the CG exam was straight out of the AI playbook.

I would recommend taking the AI courses for the simple reason that their designations carry the most weight in the industry, and taking their courses makes that path to designation much easier (should one so choose).