MAI - Is it worth it?

[Michigan CG]

Is this real? What is it?

10,000 posts on the Appraiser's Forum.

 

[SpartanAG]

My reasons for working toward MAI are similar to other posters: It opens doors, and I'll be the only MAI within 100 miles of where I live.

Of course it doesn't hurt that my mentor helped me set goals before I even started appraising, so all my QE was thru AI just in case I wanted to shoot for a designation.

 

[JSmith43]

Is this real? What is it?

No, it isn't real I liked Mich's guess.

But, with the Appraisal Foundation-AI break-up over education & the fact that bureaucracy tends to grow, what might be next if the Appraisal Foundation starts sponsoring education?

It is a long shot & I am rooting for the private enterprise side of the equation (AI). But, I see what I see as a possible future.

 

[Semi Pro]

My reasons for working toward MAI are similar to other posters: It opens doors, and I'll be the only MAI within 100 miles of where I live.

Of course it doesn't hurt that my mentor helped me set goals before I even started appraising, so all my QE was thru AI just in case I wanted to shoot for a designation.

Big consideration for me is that the next youngest MAI in my area is about 20 years older than me (32), with lots more older than him. I've heard that AI stats have the average MAI age is 62... I think that the average here is even higher. I'm looking forward to filling the void that will be left by the last generation that didn't bother to get designated.

 

[incognito]

The Institute has enacted rigorous regulations regarding the use and display of these designations. For example, contrary to popular belief, "MAI" does not stand for "Member, Appraisal Institute". According to the institute, the letters "do not represent specific words", and an MAI may not use the words "Member, Appraisal Institute" in lieu of the MAI mark. The primary motive for this rule is to prevent dilution of the trademark.

When I was designated in mid 1980's by the AIREA, My designation of "RM "(now the SRA) stood for "Residentiual Member" of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. "MAI", at that time stood for "Member Appraisal Institute". I don't know when it changed...

 

[incognito]

additionally,

Appraisal Institute members must understand that (1) the letters comprising the membership designations do not stand for (spell out as) specific words, i.e., SRA is not an acronym for Senior Residential Appraiser, (2) SRA and the other collective designations do not denote that the member has been conferred with a specific degree or title, and (3) SRA and the other collective designations are two, three and four letter designations used by the members to signify membership in the Appraisal Institute (collective membership mark) and to distinguish the member’s services from those of non-Appraisal Institute members (collective service mark).

 

[tsiegel]

There are not a whole lot of MAI's in my area and the appraisers that are designated are already beginning to age out. So I guess I will proceed forward.

 

[Burney Lightle]

Yes, it is worth every penny and minute spent getting the designation...and more!

 

[PL1957]

The fact that this question is even being seriously debated shows how far the AI has slipped over the last 20-25 years.

 

[dacsavannah]

Back when I was a lender (15+/- years ago), I could swear that I read somewhere official that, at least at that time, it meant Member, Appraisal Institute. I am aware that this has been disavowed as an acronym, but I don't get why--how would the fact that the letters represent an acronym 'dilute' the brand? If not an acronym, then why M, A, and I? The A I is so obvious that it belies their contention, so why then M? Why not some other random letter?

I can imagine someone not especially familiar seeing the letters following a name on a business card and asking: "what's that?" It seems more suitable to me to be able to say "It stands for . . . blank, blank blank" . . . "and what's that?" . . . "it's a professional designation for Real Estate Appraisers"

than . . .

"What's that?" . . . "A professional designation for Real Estate Appraisers" "What's it stand for?" "Well, nothing really"

Make it an acronym for something -- Member, Master, Mondo, Mega -- something.