...I was wondering, with all the CRAP that's going on in our field of expertise, what have some of you done to try to improve what was once a profession and, now the joke of the Real Estate Transaction???
Mr. Karl,
I think I see a lot of crap. I haven't done much since I'm limited, due to my current status. I think I can say that I do try to improve my knowledge, my work, overall skill set, and I try to listen/absorb as much as I can. I attempt to prepare myself for anticipated changes that may take place.
One thing I do, that I hope may make a difference - one person at a time, is print out the best articles (it may be 1 or 2 articles) and keep them in my billfold, that way I can show them (mostly to the general public) what's going on and how it may affect them. I always keep the article in which Mizz Pam helped produce for the CBS Network. I recently added the
Wall Street Journal Article to my billfold.
I have a "My Space" account. I plan on adding a blog about the crisis and how it affects the Real Estate Appraiser and the general public; as well as, adding a few things which a home owner or consumer may be able to do in order to avoid being taken advantage of.
I send articles and other information to my Real Estate Appraiser Board's E-mail; just to keep them up to date on some things that are going on. I do not get any replies from them because I don't ask for any reply. I only send them the information and nothing else.
Before I became a Trainee, I listened to experienced RE Appraisers whom offered great advice (all from this forum, once upon a time). I took that advice and I applied it. I took it to heart and found one of the greatest mentor, if not the greatest. I
took my time searching for a mentor; only accepting what I saw was the most ethical, competent path I could possibly choose. I knew if I didn't do it correctly the first time, I would only hurt the profession, as a whole. I think everyone whom chooses to take the chance in becoming a RE Appraiser should try to help the professon by taking their time, due diligence, being honest with themselves, listen, and never take that "skippy" path just because they want in. Being a skippy's Trainee hurts the profession. I had several opportunities to be a skippy's Trainee, but I declined. Right Vs' wrong is simple, but one has to controll themselves from not making a huge mistake by feeding ignorance and greed that's embedded into that scene.
I always attemot to do the best I can on every single report I do. If I send out poor quality reports, either by being ignorant or too lazy, it hurts the profession, as a whole. I don't try to convert to fast, easy, cheap, pathetic, degraded reporting. I try to do exactly the complete oppossite, no matter what, even if I'm tired or in need of more money.
While I was still part of the general public, I spoke with a Louisiana Congressman. I directed him to this forum. I told him my opinion of what's going on; that I wanted to become a Real Estate Appraiser, what I had already done to execute that dream, and my fear that some things may spread. He acted on this information; it was in the news, had an article on it; then, I noticed a couple of people lost their jobs, replaced soon after.
I don't try to hit numbers nor do I try to scam the system in order to get the necessary credits I must have to become a Certified RE Appraiser.
I complained and complained until I was blue in the face to the Louisiana State Board about Appraisal requests offering/injecting a preferred value. We no longer receive those type of requests; clients stopped that type of business practice at the end of the year 2006.
I try to educate a Mortgage Broker friend (personally not professionally), about what is wrong and right. Everytime he calls me, I will call his client, attempt to educate them, take time with them, help them understand, and hopefully be able to perform an Appraisal that may help everyone involved within the correct/right way.
I pray!
I've ruined several opportunities to make extra money while earning my credits by working with a couple of skippy Appraisers as a secretary. This gave me a chance to put pressure on them by acting accordingly. I answered phone calls, e-mails, etc.., then I reported what I saw and heard, to my mentor.
I do everything I can to get attention of the general public in my area, hoping to find clients. I give them my
study by way of narrative reporting, so they may have something worth having, instead of being ripped off. I hope to educate all of them so they can spread that information to others. Forms don't cut it! It's shame and an unfortunate that banks will not accept narrative reporting; sad! I let these individual clients know the difference. They usually understand and scoff at the alternative (status quo). Great feeling!
Most importantly, I try to support Mizz Pam. She's great. I try to help, even if I know its not much. Every little bit will help and go a long way, if its consistent.
I do what I can, when I can, the best I can; but, I also realize reality, I'm only a Trainee. I don't have much credibility being a Trainee, possibly none at all. No reason to give up
I've seen too much progress to give up. No one should give up on what's right.
I don't know everything I've done, considering that I don't keep up with moments (small and unimportant perhaps); I know its not much. However, I think I can say that, I do try to help.
Sincerely,
