Appraiser Association

[Don Clark]

B) Mary,

I agree, that is what they do. As I have stated in earlier post, I have a great deal of respect for most appraisal organizations. I would likely join the AI if they had a better membership fee structure. They are already taking care of the designation criteria with their statements about adopting the 2008 criteria for Certified Residential leading to an SRA designation. But, many appraiser simply cannot afford the amount the AI charges on an annual basis. They could add many more members if that was restructured. I can afford it but choose not to. And, I would like to see it available for my son. He is working right now to move from state licensed to certified residential. He has been licensed over 10 years. I am sure he would be interested in a meaningful designation and membership as well. For myself, I probably have about 5 more years active involvement and time and age will probably dictate that I slow down or retire. I hope not. Right now I feel 20 years younger than my age. I believe that many folks, myself included, probably =====, moan and whine about "nobody is doing anything" simply because we are not members of an organization and have no idea what they do or do not do on our behalf. That is why we depend on members of the AI, NAIFA,NAMA, and all the other organizations members to tell us what they do. I believe Frank gave us a great example of what the various organizations are doing for all of us. I only wish there were an "Appraiser of the year award" on this forum. I would nominate Frank to be the first recipient. BTW, my interaction with Frank goes back several years, long before this forum became the force it is today. I have only had the pleasure of meeting him one time, but have spoken to or otherwise communicated with him many times over the years.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

I have to join in with the others promoting become a member of a professional organization! I believe that so strongly, I am currently a member of two, for fifteen years I was a member of three. Start attending chapter meetings of the professional organization of your choice--or attend chapter meetings of each organization so you can make your choice. You might decide to continue with more than one. I would recommend one of the seven organizations that are members of the Appraisal Foundation. Become involved--although involvement with this chat room is great and a step in the right direction, involvement with a professional organization is an additional improvement. Both are means of voicing your opinion. The organizations have the paid lobbyists though that testify to legislatures, congress, etc. But remember the core of the organizations are the unpaid volunteers who are contributing a tremendous amount of time and money to help this profession.

So which chapter meeting will you be attending in the next 30 days??

 

[Carnivore]

Originally posted by Mary Tiernan@Mar 18 2005, 09:07 AM
  

Isn't that what lobbyists do?  If you do not like the wording on the bill about preferential treatment to designated members, write your congressman.  Please do not refer your Congressman to this site, however, as some of the posts here are very unprofessional.

Mary,

I imagine there are some unprofessional things said on many professional web site forums. Thats just life on the internet and it demonstrates the wide diversity of the participants. I only ask that you try and not confuse passion when you broad brush all the participants of this site as you pass judgement using your unpublished standard of professionalism. portion edited on after thought.

I am sorry Mary, please come back!

Congressmen, the masters of pontification and demagoguery! :rofl: Your worried about this site. Try watching C-Span when they bloviate to an empty chamber. :rofl: :rofl:


Paul,

I apologize for sounding like I was complaining about something. I merely am pointing out my perspective, even though it does not mean squat with AI. The last I knew, AI had 20,000+ members. Now they have 18,000? Something does not seem right.

I understand that AI supports the College requirements for licensing. Yet, they only have an association with masters programs. Is there something in the background that outsiders like myself dont know about. Does it seem reasonable to expect AI to develope a relationship with 2 and 4 year institutions of higher learning aroud the country so as to insure a steady supply of educated SRA/MAI Candidates to make up for normal attritiion?

If you think about it Paul, AI would serves its self very well by having an accredited 2 year associates degree program for SRA's or some lesser designation.


JoAnn,

Thats a great suggestion and I will make an effort to do so with the AI at the next Charlotte Chapter meeting? This old dog is not to old to learn some new tricks and make some new professional realtionships.

 

[Mary Tiernan]

Well, my unpublished professional standards has just decided to never visit this site again. Thank you very much for helping me to make that decision. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Paul Ness MAI]

Andrew, I honestly never thought much about the college connection. I'm guessing that the reason they aren't involved at an undergraduate level is that the education provided by AI for the most part assumes students have a basic level of knowledge in real estate fundamentals as well as finance and economics. With the exception of the first one or two courses they offer, the AI classes are more akin to specialized graduate level courses.

When I was in college back in the 1970's I went to a small state school that offered an undergraduate real estate major. With the exception of three courses (principles of real estate, real estate appraisal and investment analysis, and economic geography) all the other courses were exactly the same as the finance major, including accounting, finance, management, marketing and economics classes as well as the obligatory english, history and science general education requirements. I don't think AI would want to be involved at that level. There are a number of schools in the country that offer undergraduate real estate degrees that provide the basic foundation for those interested in specializing in appraising.

I must also say that I agree with Jo Ann. Athough I'm partial to AI, I have said on this forum many times that if someone is serious about their profession, they should join a reputable organization. Investigate, visit local chapter meetings and find one that fits you.

 

[Carnivore]

Paul,

I understand your point. I made the leap because of AI efforts in recruitment and there support of 2 year college requirements for State licensing. It only makes sense to me that they would have some idea of how that would help them. For example, if they dont do anything, then the college requirement only supports the current membership by elminating/decreasing the current supply of non-member appraisers because of attrition. It certainly does not enhance there growth potential. How does the requirement of college increase the potential pool of members? I dont see that as helping at all unless of course the AI is participating in High School Career days. Then and only then would you increase membership by getting too future college graduates before they choose there undergraduate programs.

A good example is the military. They dont recruit into the officer core from the ranks of enlisted. They go to the HS and try and get them into a service academy or an ROTC program. Most officers come from ROTC. In other words they complete some form of BS/Ba and specialize with ROTC.

I appreciate your perspective on all this.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Attempting to organize residential appraisers is like "trying to herd cats".
Lets cut all the ramblings and get to the heart of the issue.

1. Licensing is the primary reason there is little need for a professional designation as residential appraiser. There is, however, a strong need for a designation in commercial work and that is why membership in The Appraisal Institute has trended that direction.

2. Residential appraisers, in general, want everyone else to "do the work in an organization". Just ask any Chapter Secretary how many people "volunteer" to fill those positions. Even our little local group (CAREA) has trouble finding workers and we only meet 6 times a year. Sure there are those who would step up to be President just for the name but seldom want to work at it.

3. The Appraisal Institute produces the finest educational programs for appraisers both commercial and residential. They are also politically active (lobbying) and work for both the commercial and residential members. We tend to perceive it as only for the commercial appraiser only...which, in my opinion, is not true. I cannot speak for NAIFA as I do not have any first hand experience with that organization.

4. We, as residential appraisers, have to stop fighting within our ranks. That means..."quit bad mouthing the profession and it's professional organizations". It is counter productive and divisive. Appraisers Forum has given us a voice in the wilderness for the appraiser who chooses not to belong to a formal professional organization. While it serves a noble purpose, it is at it's best, only a communication tool. I doubt it will ever be more than it is...a communication tool. Just look at the number of people who have registered vs the number who post. Seems we do a good job of running off anyone who has a view different than our, as an example Mary T.

5. My decision to drop my candidacy in the Appraisal Institute was mostly financial. It had little to do with the direction the organization was going, ie, commercial vs residential. It simply was not cost effective for me. Membership will work for you if you work for the membership. You must be the person who decides if it is right for you but stop with the constant "bad mouthing" unless you are willing to get in there and work for the good of the group.

 

[JSmith43]

Please do not refer your Congressman to this site, however, as some of the posts here are very unprofessional.

Huh?

Yes. Those milk toast congressmen do need shelter :rofl:

Mary, log onto brokeruniverse.com, enter the grapevine forum. Read some posts & come back and tell us how unprofessional the posts are on this forum. I, for one, appreciate the range of discussion & reactions presented herein.

I get to know how the participants really feel about a topic. Intensity level is important information, IMO, and a lack of that type of feedback is a downside to a totally modulated discussion on a public forum.

 

[Edd Gillespie]

Originally posted by Mike Garrett@ RAA,Mar 18 2005, 11:04 AM
We, as residential appraisers, have to stop fighting within our ranks.

YES!

I have been thinking that even though we bear some resemblence to a "herd of cats" we also act like a pack of dogs.

There must be something about being an appraiser that results in the belief that our individual opinions matter above all else and must be defended at all costs. And then there is the independence issue too. I as an appraiser must be independent if its the last thing I do. I will go down with this ship, no matter what you can't make get off, but it is not my opinion that it should sink and I don't agree with it.

And then there's the pack of dogs metaphor. Ask a question or bring up an issue and we start snarling and biting each other. Anyone looking to this forum (and I think it is representative of the profession)(and it is very good too) will most likely come to the conclusion we major in quarreling over minutia.

It is insanity and we are insane.

I agree with Roger, too (maybe, I think I do, possibly, maybe not). Don't send any politicians here. It would give 'em just the stuff they like to use so they can avoid the hard work and decision making that Congress and the legislatures must get on with. In another life I once lobbied in Washington. A senator said "If you guys would just agree on what you want, I'd help you." We didn't and he couldn't.

 

[George Hatch]

If I might interject a comment in here about appraiser unity....

One of the most common personal traits shared by many appraisers is that we tend to be independent and opinionated and vocal and territorial. We have to be in order to stand up to the constant pressure to "cooperate" with our clients' interests. Many of us are drawn to this occupation because it is one of the few jobs out there that tolerates and even encourages this type of "does not work well with others" attitude. That's why it's no fluke that gathering concensus among such a group of people is difficult. We're just being consistent.