Forums: Love 'Em, Hate 'Em, Can't Live Without 'Em? Gathering material for article

[Katrina Lazenby]

Appraisal Forums: Love 'em? Hate 'em? Can't Live Without 'em?

This question is not completely random; I am writing an article for the Georgia Association of Professional Appraisers' newsletter about different appraisal forums. Since I often check this one, I thought I would ask these questions of anyone who would like to respond. If you don't mind being quoted, respond with your actual name, your professional qualifications and the geographic area in which you do business. Here are some questions you might want to answer:

How much time do you spend on online forums?

What have you learned from online forums?

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.)

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?

What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one!

If you would like to respond "off the air," please feel free to email me at klazenby1@bellsouth.net
Thanks for allowing me to post these questions, and thanks in advance for your responses.

Katrina Lazenby
Griffin, Georgia

 

[stefan olafson]

How much time do you spend on online forums? I check the forum at a minimum daily, especially during slow times. Over the course of a day I spend approximately 1/2 hour to 1 hour reading and if necessary responding to posts

What have you learned from online forums? There is an unbelievable variety of life experiences here on the forum. Wonderful appraisers from all over the country. I've learned how others address problems we all face on a fairly regular basis

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.) A very big YES, although the situation is still ongoing so the name probably shouldn't be publicized, one of the members of the forum was integral in my fight against my state appraisal board.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important? Thi information is important but equally important is the relationships, albeit only from the printed word, that does become a part of the forum.

What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one! I always check Improving the Profession and the Fannie, Freddie, and USPAP areas as well as the watercooler for the wonderful, terrible, funny, gross, thought provoking stuff in there.

 

[CANative]

How much time do you spend on online forums?
Obviously too much, judging by my post count.

What have you learned from online forums?
I learned a lot from my dad and my brother, but I have significantly honed my skills by participating in this particular forum.

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.)
No, not directly. But I've applied the good advice and suggested solutions posted on this forumto specific appraisal problems.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?
Both... equally. I have a lot of virtual friends as well as new friends as a result of this forum.

What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one!
All other forums I've checked out and/or participated in pale in comparison to appraisersforum.

 

[Marcia Langley]

How much time do you spend on online forums?
I'm sure I spend too much time here but it is also a big time-saver. The pooling of information, especially current events that directly affect appraising is invaluable. To have to monitor all the sources commented on here would be impossible for one person.


What have you learned from online forums?

One of the most valuable things people learn here is the educated reasoning behind appraisal standards and how to serve clients well and maintain high ethical standards.

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.)

Direct help on an actual assignment, not so much, but general help with pertinent questions, oh, yes.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?

The camaraderie is great here, but without the serious appraiser talk, I probably would not visit so regularly. But it is hard to separate the two when the information is comming from someone whom you have learned to trust from long association on the forum.


What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one!

This is the only forum visit regularly. I visit other forums infrequently and have never found the sort of in-depth expertise and sticking to the subject that I find here. That is due to the really excellent moderating that Wayne, the owner of this forum, insists upon.

 

[Mister Ed]

How much time do you spend on online forums? Much less time than I used to, but more than I probably should. I probably spend 6-10 hours per week (sporadically).

What have you learned from online forums? What I have learned most is that there are a multiplicity of ways to look at the "problems" that appraisers solve. Also, many of the appraisers are on the "cutting edge" of what is coming down the pipeline and I often hear the news on the forums first

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.) I was part of a group of appraisers who contributed information and suggestions for developing appropriate addenda information to be used in conjunction with the 2005 version of the Fannie Mae appraisal forms. Appraisers share much information on the forum, sample forms, inspection forms, etc. I have posted a few things I use that others have wanted to borrow. I see it this way, most of us on the forums I frequent are sharing to help make us all better at what we do.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important? I have met no members of the forum face-to-face. I have spoken to a few members via phone. I like both the information and the camaraderie as I work in a two man shop.

What are the forum addresses you check regularly? I am a member of this forum, the Wintotal User Group, and I occasionally go to GeorgiaAppraiser.com

 

[Katrina Lazenby]

Thanks for these replies so far! On interesting thing that has already emerged from replies on several forums is that people who check in do it at least once a week, and most people seem to check it daily. That puts it in the category of one of the most-used tools, along with the computer, the car, disto/tape, etc.

Please continue to reply. If anyone is interesting in reading the article I will post a link to it the first week in April.

Thanks again!!

 

[TC]

Appraisal Forums: Love 'em? Hate 'em? Can't Live Without 'em?



How much time do you spend on online forums?

Between this one and the Geeks R Us forum, probably 4 hours/week.

What have you learned from online forums?

Make sure your wife can't trace what sites you've visited.

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem?

Got some real good advice concerning FHA appraisals; we have I believe 6 USPAP Instructor Geeks, er, excuse me guys, EXPERTS that are a good source of info; and the Techno geeks are the best, getting info on the Disto, new computers, GPS systems, cameras, you name it.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?

Toss up.

 

[Stone]

How much time do you spend on online forums?

Probably about 1/2 hour per day here when I'm in the office is a good average.

What have you learned from online forums?

I've learned that residential mortgage work is tough. Not the actual appraisal part so much (all appraisal has its ups and downs), but the client aspect is difficult in that arena. Glad it isn't my focus.

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.)

Years ago I had a question regarding shared driveways when both appraisers I worked with were gone. It was answered quite well by Ray Ohler. It was good to have it figured out when my supervisor returned, so that he could just agree with it.

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?

Both. As someone who works alone at home, the social interaction is nice. But, particularly when I was doing more residential work, the learning on this site has been great.
What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one!

Just this one (along with a couple of non-appraisal sites).

 

[Mike Boyd]

How much time? Lately, a whole bunch. I'm having problems sleeping. I'll get on lline about 12:30 AM and finally get sleepy around 1:30 AM. Then I can sleep the rest of the night. The best thing about it is that it is available anytime you need it (for sleep or appraisal related issues.)

The Watercooler and The Lounge are great past times for entertainment. The appraisal industry is in constant change and has been for the last 10 years. It is the best source that I know of to keep abreast of the changes be they subtle or law.

 

[Tony V]

How much time do you spend on online forums?

Usually look at this forum at least once a day....sometimes two or three..depending on what is going on...

What have you learned from online forums?

More then anywhere else...even learned that ALOT is not a word..

Has there ever been a time when a forum poster helped you online? With a real problem? (taking over an appraisal, sharing comps, etc.)

Within the Long Island Gang, there is ALOT of data sharing and info passed .....And those outside the gang get help also....I feel that we in New York are for the most part a pretty tight bunch.....

What do you like most about forums---the camaraderie or the actual information? Or are both equally important?

Both.....along with meeting and knowing the "GANG" members, I also will search for support of my thought process in certain instances...

What are the forum addresses you check regularly? Links will be provided in the article, and I already have this one!

All....Heavy on Urgent help needed.....Ask an appraiser and the NEW YORK subforum.....