- Joined
- Jan 15, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- North Carolina
Does character count? Do ethics matter?
Many problems face the real estate appraiser today. We go back and forth on how to solve these problems. Let’s take a look at PREVENTING some of our problems.
In my opinion, the BIGGEST problem facing the appraiser today is a lack of leadership, ethics, competency and pro-activeness by our state appraisal boards. These are the folks that have the access, money and opportunity to address the problems that plague us. It is imperative that all of our state appraisal boards have the most qualified, competent and honest members available. Therein lies the problem.
Appraisal board members are selected not on qualifications, experience, education, competency or honesty. The PRIMARY QUALIFICATION for a state appraisal board member is how big a check they are willing to write to buy a seat. This is wrong folks. It is dishonest, unethical and a recipe for corruption.
USPAP forbids any appraiser from making undisclosed payments to procure an appraisal assignment, yet this is EXACTLY what some appraisers do in order to secure a seat on a state board. Any citizen certainly has a right to contribute to political campaigns and politicians...but should our board members not DISCLOSE these “contributions” ?
Our system is set up to reward contributors with political appointments. This is wrong and unethical, yet we wink and go along with it. The groups with the biggest pocketbooks will continue to influence selection of appraisal board members. This means that AI members, The NAR Appraisal Section and other deep pocket groups will continue to rule the boards. However, NONE OF THESE GROUPS represent the majority of appraisers. All of the appraisal groups are small in terms of membership compared to the total number of appraisers.
I recently have had both AI members and Appraisal Section members tell me that they would only support THEIR MEMBERS for state board seats. Even if their member is not the best qualified! I want the BEST CANDIDATES selected for board seats, nationwide, based on qualifications....not what group they have hold membership in. Why should race, creed, color, religion, political party affiliation or membership in a particular appraisal organization be the deciding factor? Why do we allow these seats to be bought and sold?
Special interest groups control our political system. Appraisers need to let their politicians know that we want to “opt out” of this system and have professional boards made up of the very best, brightest, most honest and competent people available.
Until we have some average Joes and Josephines controlling our profession, very few of our problems will ever be resolved. As long as we remain silent, we will continue to get what we deserve from our state boards. How do you feel about this...and do your legislators KNOW how you feel?
Many problems face the real estate appraiser today. We go back and forth on how to solve these problems. Let’s take a look at PREVENTING some of our problems.
In my opinion, the BIGGEST problem facing the appraiser today is a lack of leadership, ethics, competency and pro-activeness by our state appraisal boards. These are the folks that have the access, money and opportunity to address the problems that plague us. It is imperative that all of our state appraisal boards have the most qualified, competent and honest members available. Therein lies the problem.
Appraisal board members are selected not on qualifications, experience, education, competency or honesty. The PRIMARY QUALIFICATION for a state appraisal board member is how big a check they are willing to write to buy a seat. This is wrong folks. It is dishonest, unethical and a recipe for corruption.
USPAP forbids any appraiser from making undisclosed payments to procure an appraisal assignment, yet this is EXACTLY what some appraisers do in order to secure a seat on a state board. Any citizen certainly has a right to contribute to political campaigns and politicians...but should our board members not DISCLOSE these “contributions” ?
Our system is set up to reward contributors with political appointments. This is wrong and unethical, yet we wink and go along with it. The groups with the biggest pocketbooks will continue to influence selection of appraisal board members. This means that AI members, The NAR Appraisal Section and other deep pocket groups will continue to rule the boards. However, NONE OF THESE GROUPS represent the majority of appraisers. All of the appraisal groups are small in terms of membership compared to the total number of appraisers.
I recently have had both AI members and Appraisal Section members tell me that they would only support THEIR MEMBERS for state board seats. Even if their member is not the best qualified! I want the BEST CANDIDATES selected for board seats, nationwide, based on qualifications....not what group they have hold membership in. Why should race, creed, color, religion, political party affiliation or membership in a particular appraisal organization be the deciding factor? Why do we allow these seats to be bought and sold?
Special interest groups control our political system. Appraisers need to let their politicians know that we want to “opt out” of this system and have professional boards made up of the very best, brightest, most honest and competent people available.
Until we have some average Joes and Josephines controlling our profession, very few of our problems will ever be resolved. As long as we remain silent, we will continue to get what we deserve from our state boards. How do you feel about this...and do your legislators KNOW how you feel?
