Minimum Requirements for Approval

[Dee Dee]

leart3,
You must work in a relatively urban area. Most appraisers that do predominantly cookie-cutter subdivision areas seem the most worried about being replaced by AVM's. If that's where I worked, I'd be worried too.

Dee Dee

 

[Jeff Horton]

Dee Dee, I have one suggestion.

CHOCOLATE!! Works wonders to calm the nerves.

 

[Dee Dee]

Jeff,
I am a hopeless chocoholic.... buy it in bulk. It should be considered one of the major food groups, IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

de dee,
when I started, I listed the time I appraised under my mentor, and then indicated how long I was licensed: "Years of experience 8, certified since 1999" or something like that. It worked for me.

good luck

 

[Dee Dee]

Frank,
I tried that, it was all on my resume.
My client and I discussed that after this current deal is closed I am going to write a letter of appeal to the investor. Hopefully I can state my case more thoroughly, including why I believe their 'two-years certified' rule doesn't necessarily mean they are getting a better appraisal.
If that doesn't work, I have a plan B. One of my appraiser buddies down in Denver says he believes that he's on their approved list, so I'll do the appraisal and he'll sign off as my supervisor under his business name. Humiliating since I met this guy in our first appraisal classes, but he's got just enough more time in with his own business and certification that he is past the two-year mark that the investor requires. I'll owe the guy lunch but he won't expect any commission splits. Seems so silly to have to play their game, but I want to take care of my client, and they want me to do the job any way possible.

 

[Anonymous]

Dee Dee
Humility is a good thing in life, and never take yourself too seriously!!

It's just one of those things that you have to shrug off, BUT in the long run, appraisers appreciate with age. This is one profession that sees older white-haired individuals better equipped than young upstarts, so as long as you stick with it, you will have earned your time-in-grade as we called it in the military.

It is good to realize that our clients acknowledge age.

 

[Dee Dee]

This is one profession that sees older white-haired individuals better equipped than young upstarts, so as long as you stick with it, you will have earned your time-in-grade as we called it in the military.

It is good to realize that our clients acknowledge age.

I'll keep that in mind. Didn't have one white hair in my head four years ago, now I've got plenty. I figure in another few years they will bow to my wisdom. :lol:

 

[bradellis]

Dee Dee,

What I am about to say is biased, so read it with that in mind.

Before licensing, it was hard to get work if you did not hold a designation from one of the two biggest associations. That is how they knew they were getting quality work.

After licensing, they began to abandon this; however, recently, the major lenders have begun to pay attention to the designations again.

Seems that the licensing program did not get them the quality they wanted (for those lender who care- YES, they are out there).

Now I see applications specifically asking if you have a designation- MAI, SRA, IFA, IFAS, ASA. Since I am designated, it warms the cockles of my heart.

Here is the biased part- you can easily earn your designation. NAIFA requires- for certified appraisers- that they join as a candidate, submit 5 samples- one of which mjust be expanded to demonstrate how adjustments were derived, an income approach, and a detailed cost approach.

For the appraiser who knows his/her stuff, this is a simple procedure, but do not wait as we are discussing going back to a full narrative demo.

For info go to www.naifa.com

Bradley H. Ellis, IFA
A biased (in favor of NAIFA) National Director of NAIFA

 

[Dee Dee]

Brad,
Interesting comments, and they make sense. I'm going to look into your recommendations. I might have some questions for you in the future, if you don't mind.

Dee Dee

 

[Leon Stewart]

Dee Dee:

I am in an Urban Area, but there is not much need for quality appraisal work, and since we deal mostly with older homes, many with a lot of differed maintenance, Urban work is high risk work, because the appraiser is in a no win situation. If you are a "Low Baller" (don't hit the number) or you write up a lot of repairs the Lenders don't use you. So the number of Urban Appraisers will rapidly decline also. So it doesn't matter where you are located, one area or one process will have an influence on the other.

leart3