Missouri Appraisers Coop. Any comments on Lowman's Plan?

[nachocheesefries]

Went to a meeting in Springfield this morning put on by Sharon Lowman for appraisers interested in starting an appraiser owned coop in Missouri. The purpose of the coop is to set up an AMC for Missouri appraisers in order to increase the quality of appraisals and hopefully increase the fees paid to appraisers(although discussion of appraisal fees at the meeting was strictly prohibited).

What does everyone think about this plan? I know this has been tried in other areas across the country, I'm assuming it has never been successful?

The meeting had a fairly good turnout...my estimate would be near 75 appraisers were in the room. I really applaud Sharon Lowman for all of her efforts.

 

[Steve Owen]

I've attended every meeting so far. If we are able to pull this off, it will change the appraisal business, not just in Missouri, but everywhere. It is far more than just an AMC. It will take a lot of work on the part of everyone involved, but I believe it will be worth it.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I would love to see an Appraisers MLS where you could bypass the (&^ing Realtors but that would be extra tough in non-disclosure state.

 

[Steve Owen]

I set next to the President of the Missouri Association of Realtors a few nights ago at a dinner meeting. She asked me about the project. I described it, briefly. She applauded the idea (as did others at the table) and mentioned that something similar is being done in Wisconsin. She offered her support and that of the association, although of course, anything they do would have to be approved by their board. I suspect that, if this could be done, it would upset a lot of our old ideas about who is friend and who is enemy. I see professional real estate agents as our natural allies in trying to gain independence for professional appraisers and high-quality appraisal services.