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Example of Cooperation Among Associations

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Francois K. Gregoire

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Professional Status
Certified Residential Appraiser
State
Florida
Hi All,

Here is an example of some much needed cooperation among Professional Associations for the benefit of the Appraisal Profession. Today, the Appraisal Institute, the American Society of Appraisers and the National Association of REALTORS sent a letter signed by their presidents to Senator Paul Sarbanes, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

READ IT HERE (Download Word Version)

[url=http://www.realtor.org/AppSourc.nsf/pages/SarbanesLetter?OpenDocument]READ IT HERE (Web Page Version)


What do you think?
 
It's an excellent beginning. Thanks for the link!

Now is a good time to send copies of the Petition to Sen. Sarbanes.
 
How sad that the top three voices in the appraisal business can only come up with this. We all know what the problems are. It is who hires the appraiser is the one with the control. The appraiser is not a disinterested party they are advocates to the persons that pay the fee. When will these so called leaders step up to the plate with some solutions.
 
How sad that the top three voices in the appraisal business can only come up with this. We all know what the problems are. It is who hires the appraiser is the one with the control. The appraiser is not a disinterested party they are advocates to the persons that pay the fee. When will these so called leaders step up to the plate with some solutions.

Dale,

Thanks for taking the time to read the letter. It was posted to counter much of the discussion on this and other forums about the fragmentation of our specialty and to provide evidence the professional organizations ARE willing to cooperate and work together for the benefit of not only licensed and certified appraisers, but the public.

These organizations are not rule making and regulatory agencies and are unable to impose solutions. Instead, suggestions were made to Senator Sarbanes and Senator Miller for areas of focus for the GAO study. Namely:

"In examining the scope of the problem, we believe the GAO should focus on the following issues:

The conditions that allow for improper influence of appraisers by clients and third parties such as loan originators, mortgage brokers and others with an interest in the transaction;

The lack of consistent state appraiser board enforcement activities;

The failure of the Appraisal Subcommittee to provide meaningful oversight of state appraiser boards."

What would you have preferred? Have you contacted any professional organization to air your views and concerns? Made suggestions for improvement? Each of the professional associations represented by the individuals signing the letter is a membership organization. Each is anxious to listen to suggestions from their members. Each of us licensed and certified appraisers have responsibilities to our profession as well.
 
Frank, the sad truth is most appraisers just don't care. As long as they are making a living, all is well. Most appraisers are ignorant of how the system works. They don't know the difference between LAW, RULES, REGULATIONS, STANDARDS and other areas that make up regulation and enforcement.

I hear appraisers say, "this or that agency should do this", not having a clue that the agency they refer to has no such power. Just yesterday I heard from a couple of appraisers who want the NCAB to overrule the deminius and REQUIRE appraisals on all loans. The NCAB has no such power or authority. This is an example of how ignorant appraisers are about which agency or body can do what.

Few appraisers have spent more time, effort or money trying to rally the troops toward a greater interest and understanding of our profession. I am fed up with the apathy that seems to be the norm. I am no longer going to spend any time trying to interest other appraisers. My personal efforts will continue, but I am retiring from my efforts as a news source and researcher for other appraisers.

It is a sad state of affairs when it is impossible to get appraisers interested in taking an active role in what happens to our profession. When appraisers won't take the time to write a few letters, send a few e-mails or make a phone call or two....it speaks loudly of the character of appraisers in general. It seems appraisers are only interested in "getting involved" when and issue is up front, close and personal. If there is no direct and current effect on THEM ....there is no interest.

I have no intentions of giving up my efforts for reform, I am simply abandoning any expectation that there is a broad based concern on the part of others appraisers. It seems that complaining is as far as most appraisers are willing to go. Any actual effort or participation is just too much to ask.

The appraisal profession is like a burning building and we appraisers are watching from the sidelines and neither caring or doing anything to put out the fire. I expect a lot of changes in the appraisal business in the coming years and many of them will not be well received by appraisers.

I am disgusted and dismayed by the lack of interest of appraisers in improving our profession. God bless those few out there that are involved in the fight, you have my admiration and respect.


Bob Ipock
 
Bob,

You have painted an accurate description of many who populate our "profession" and profess concern. They attend no agency or organization meetings, offer no moral or financial support and in general seem to subscribe to the belief that ignorance is bliss (except what they see or hear second and third hand, which they assume to be accurate). Many find it easier to sit back, whine, point fingers, and ask why doesn't "someone" do something.

Apathy, thy name is appraiser.

Neil Schaeffer
Texas
 
Why light a candle when it is so easy to curse the darkness? That seems to cover it fairly well.
 
Frank
Your explaniation makes more sense than the letter. I was ofended on the first read through.


"In examining the scope of the problem, we believe the GAO should focus on the following issues:

1. The conditions that allow for improper influence of appraisers by clients and third parties such as loan originators, mortgage brokers and others with an interest in the transaction;

OK These are the people that supply 90%of appraisal work. What are they saying here

2. The lack of consistent state appraiser board enforcement activities;

I think you should be ofended by this statement.

3. The failure of the Appraisal Subcommittee to provide meaningful oversight of state appraiser boards."

I did not know this was a problem, where are they going with this.

Of course am only 1 appraiser with no affialition or letters behind my name.
 
Frank
Your explaniation makes more sense than the letter. I was ofended on the first read through.
Dale,

Thanks for taking another look at the letter.

"In examining the scope of the problem, we believe the GAO should focus on the following issues:

1. The conditions that allow for improper influence of appraisers by clients and third parties such as loan originators, mortgage brokers and others with an interest in the transaction;

OK These are the people that supply 90%of appraisal work. What are they saying here
Keep in mind, I didn't write the letter, have no specific verification of their underlying thoughts and am making a guess when answering your question. Each of these organizations is concerned about Lender Pressure, each is aware of the Appraiser's Petition and has weighed in at one time or another, in support of legislation aimed at countering the influence lenders and others have on appraisers. It seems to me, like many of us, they are not claiming to have the answer to the problem, but are trying to encourage the Senator to ask the GOA to determine if the problem is as pervasive as we perceive it and if so, to offer some suggestions for minimizing or elminating improper influence.

2. The lack of consistent state appraiser board enforcement activities;

I think you should be ofended by this statement.
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not offended. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence here in Wayne's World there is a lack of consistency. It is a fact. There are dozens of reasons; they'd like the Senator to encourage the GAO to find out how much of a problem exists.

From a personal standpoint, assessing penalties is one of the toughest things I've ever had to do. Always, in the back of your mind is the realization of your actions affecting an individual's livelihood, bank account, family and ability to conduct business. Being a judge of professional behavior is not fun. Assessing penalties is gut wrenching.

3. The failure of the Appraisal Subcommittee to provide meaningful oversight of state appraiser boards."

I did not know this was a problem, where are they going with this.

We'll just have to wait and see. The original Sarbanes letter specifically asked the GAO to examine the Appraisal Subcommittee, the ASB and the AQB.

Of course am only 1 appraiser with no affialition or letters behind my name.
Dale, there is no shame in no affiliation or designation. We are all but one appraiser. Some of us have found strength and support by affiliation with like minded and concerned professionals. There are a number of organizations which may appeal to you for a variety of reasons. Feel free to email or private message me. I'd be happy to call you, tell you what I know and make some suggestions.

francois1@compuserve.com
Office 727-526-1573
Mobile 727-420-3804

(I'm not a recruiter)

Thanks again, for taking the time to read it twice.
 
Francois,

Sorry. So long as the AI and ASA continue to ignore their sister organizations who are foundation sponsors, this profession will remain fragmented and we will get nowhere at all.

It is a fine letter but will fall upon deaf ears. You only got half of the appraisers, for starters.

In addition, if one is a residential appraiser, representation by the AI and ASA combined is a farce. The AI pays attention to the MAIs- not the SRAs. You can ask that of SRA. Every honest one will tell you that. The ASA has less than 1000 real estate appraisers, and, of them, almost all belong to some other organization already. I'll bet their ranks of residential appraisers (holding the ASA-Residential designation) is no more than a few hundred.

If they care, and NAR cares about this, then such an effort shold have included NAMA, NAIFA, IAAO, IR/WA etc. It would have been incredibly easy to do this. Maybe no more than one phone call.

This sort of stuff is the reason why SWOT is stalled. Waaaaay too many egos involved.

Brad Ellis, IFA,RAA
 
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