I agree with this pretty strongly. One can be an appraisal technical whiz, but if she can't convey what she's done, how she's done it, and present it in standard English - with an appropriate degree of proficiency - she isn't representing herself, or the appraisal craft, favorably. I get that there are few rewards for writing like a Hemingway or a Maugham in one of the GSE forms, but I challenge anyone to convince me that rudimentary grammar, punctuation, abysmal spelling as are found in (IMO) way too many reports ought to be the standard. While our audience is known (particularly for those doing GSE work) and is, from appearances, virtually indifferent to the use, misuse and abuse of the language, someone who has any regard for how she and the craft are perceived ought to be embarassed by much of what is written. (For the record, the folks who write the rules, interpretations of rules and applications of those interpretations are not at risk of being offered tenure track English grammar professorship either.) It's a little like bathing regularly - your reputation suffers if you don't .
And for the record - sloppy, writing isn't the exclusive domain of residential appraisers doing GSE work. I've seen narrative reports - (narrative reports - the crown jewel of the appraisal business?) - that were case studies in sloppy, incoherent, redundant writing, full of technobabble and just plain awful writing.
Beyond that, someone who comes to the appraisal craft with some knowledge of history, economics, and the workings of the financing system is much better prepared to be a good appraiser than someone who does not have that knowledge.
(And as an aside, I find it difficult to refer to appraisal trade as a profession. Years ago, I joined a profession: it's become something else. This link isn't to anything related to appraising as a profession, but it's a discussion of the attributes of professions with which I happen to agree in large part. There are a lot of appraisers who are professional, but overall I think the profession has become something else.)
While not having its genesis in appraisal world, this is a pretty good discussion of what the characteristics of a profession are.)
LOL
