Local Appraiser get togethers

[Anonymous]

Hello Forum--

What is the group's experience with starting a local association of appraisers, say meeting once a month over coffee for a get together, having some one come in for local continuing education and just chewing the fat? I wonder if this could be as difficult as herding cats.

Anyway, being in a rural area with few appraisers some of us have mulled around the idea of starting a group, informally independant of NAR or other already established qroups with the established purposes I stated above. The local MLS does not represent many appraisers as most of us are independant of the realtors.

 

[Oregon Doug]

Frank - tried it last year and it is much like herding cats but I might try it again as it is something sorely needed. There seems to be a small core of dedicated/professional appraisers out there that do understand the basic issues but I've discovered that most haven't a clue and really don't care.

How unfortunate for our profession, Oregon Doug

 

[Dan Leggett]

Before the merger with the Am Inst the local SREA chapter held monthly meetings. Since merging into AI we now have quarterly meetings. Too much can get by me in 3 months so several of us have tried having informal monthly meetings.

If nothing else kick it off with a BBQ or fish fry (we started with a dove hunt) or something at the nearest free/cheap facility. Have one or two low-stress but infomative topics to kick around. It's real important that folks relax but make sure they leave with useful information and they will keep coming back. "If you build it, they will come."

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

Check with my favortie professional organization, the NAIFA. National might be able to give you some assistance and advice on getting some meetings, topics, etc set up. But remember all organizations, whether a national group or local group is very dependant the who and how many are willing to volunteer. In fact, when people gripe about a national professional organization not doing anything--my question is--what are you personally doing to further a professional appraiser organization? If the individual appraiser isn't doing anything-national, regardless of who they are, can't do anything either. So start talking to other appraisers in your area and get something started. And distance is immaterial! I drive 175 miles to get to my chapter meeting and so does another appraiser.

 

[Tom Hildebrandt]

In North Carolina there have been several attempts to start a ad hoc (open to all not just a specific trade organization) group meeting of appraiser. The last one died due to general apathy, one is currently in the process of getting going.

The problem as I see it is that the typical "independent fee appraiser" places a lot of emphasis on the word independent. Most appraisers will not subordinate their individual opinions for the good of the group as a whole. This is true within trade organizations as well.

Regards

Tom Hildebrandt GAA

 

[Red Blumenstock]

Frank,

Why not join the PA Council of Real Estate Appraisers, Inc.? There is a monthly report of the activities at the PA State Board of R. E. Appraisers meeting, plus a number of "heads up" reports or entries throughout the year. There is one annual meeting at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Camp Hill (Junction of Rte 83 expressway and PA Turnpike). The cost is only $50.00 per year, and most of the persons with whom I have spoken have said the monthly reports alone are worth that. In addition, we are getting a Web Page started.

If you would like an application, send me your address and I will
mail one.

 

[MarkRichmond]

I think you should try it. I wish there was something like that around Madison WI. I would surely attend.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

We did it and it has been a grand success. The head of the state appraisers board praises our group all over the country! He was just elected President of National Association of Real Estate Boards so he has some clout.

Our group started out as 6 appraisers who needed input from other appraisers because underwriters were tearing them up. They would meet for lunch once a month. Other appraisers heard about it and wanted to be part of the group....so, the Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers (CAREA) was formed. The organization is now 10 years old and has grown to nearly 150 members from all over the state of Colorado. We have people driving 150 miles round trip just to attend.

We meet 6 times a year now. Our meetings are dinner meetings ($12.00 for members, $15 for non-members). We have been approved for continuing education credit up to two hours for each meeting. Our guest speakers include State licensing officials, E & O people, local and county assessors, contractors, builders, VA & FHA reps, FEMA flood experts, subsidence experts, and on and on. Dues are $25 a year which covers our mailing expenses and part of the meal costs.

Really good points......great place for registered appraisers (trainees) to meet potential employers. Cheap continuing education. Social interplay between appraisers. A chance to correct problem appraisers before they go to jail. A fun time.

Difficult things....lots of work planning meetings, speakers, and keeping track of members dues and reservations. We have an executive board, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairman, and Program Chairman. The former president is also a board member. The board meets for lunch on the off months to plan the next meeting.

If you volunteer to be part of the start up for such a group remember "only busy people seem to get things done". It takes dedication to the group to make it work. Be sure to charge for membership....."no such thing as a free lunch". We are presently considering raising our dues from $25 to $100 a year which will automatically include the 6 meetings and 12 hours of CE credit. This is becomming necessary because of the paperwork required each month just handling the checks and reservations. While it might make the group slightly smaller, it will take a tremendous load off the executive committee.

One other point. Periodically have a meeting where there is a panel of "experts" ...older more experienced and mature appraisers who will tell it like it is. Accept written questions from the group prior to the meeting about appraisal problems. Let the panel of experts discuss each question. Do not throw it open to general discussion or you will never finish the meeting. Same with USPAP, have the USPAP instructors field the questions but no general discussion.

Ok, thats it. It is both fun and a lot of work to pull it off...but you can do it. We did it! Check us out at WWW.CAREA.net.

Mike Garrett
Past President
Current Treasurer

 

[AC King]

I would be very interested in attending appraiser meetings in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Does anyone know of any appraisal organization or group that holds such meetings in this area?

The Southeast Chapter of NAMA has semi-annual meetings with ACE courses. I plan on attending the next one in New Braunfels on February 22 & 23, but it would be "nice" to have one close by.

Thanks to anyone with information about meetings in the D/FW area.

 

[Leon Stewart]

In North Carolina there have been several attempts to start a ad hoc (open to all not just a specific trade organization) group meeting of appraiser. The last one died due to general apathy, one is currently in the process of getting going.

The problem as I see it is that the typical "independent fee appraiser" places a lot of emphasis on the word independent. Most appraisers will not subordinate their individual opinions for the good of the group as a whole. This is true within trade organizations as well.

Regards

Tom Hildebrandt GAA

That's true Tom, even if you start out as an informal social gathering, after a while you will find out that your efforts are mostly ineffective and don't accomplish anything, which is what has happened with the professional Appraisal Organizations. After a few meetings there becomes a need to have a permanent meeting place and some type of "Dues" to cover the cost of hand-outs, mailings and the likes, and if the meeting place is at a Restaurant the owner will want you to buy their high price low quality dinners, and the end results would be identical to what goes on with the typical Appraisal Organizations, and that's why the appraisal profession is in the condition it's in today, and it's mostly the results of poor representation.

leart3