Opinion: Does it pay to have an MAI?

[Rob Baum]

............ The sheer amount of Fed, local, and State RFPs that require it is staggering...the sheer amount of lease with option to purchase contracts that have clauses that state MAI to determine sale price is staggering...........

Yep. That is why I am pursuing my MAI designation.

 

[jimmyfrank]

Why is it that everyone who is a CG on here speaks of the merits of the MAI, even if they do not have it? Yet all those who denounce the AI, try and make this an AI bashing thread, or explain the downfall of the AI all seem to have Certified Residential licenses?

Every CG I know that makes $200 - 300k a year has an MAI, the ones I know that do between $400 and 500K also have it as well FRICS and CRE. The sheer amount of Fed, local, and State RFPs that require it is staggering...the sheer amount of lease with option to purchase contracts that have clauses that state MAI to determine sale price is staggering.

The statement there are more stories about the success of appraisers without an MAI is huge, while the stories with are nominal...is complete and utter BS. Every book you read and cite in this profession authored by an MAI...Yellowbook....written by an MAI. Most of the template of USPAP comes from early AI ethics books, written by...you guessed it an MAI.

You may not like the AI, or MAIs for that matter, but saying they are on a sinking ship or that the designation means little or nothing makes the poster look like an idiot then a rational professional.

Kali, you are exactly right. One question should sum up the whole discussion...Who offers the best education in our profession?

 

[JSmith43]

The sheer amount of Fed, local, and State RFPs that require it is staggering...the sheer amount of lease with option to purchase contracts that have clauses that state MAI to determine sale price is staggering.

A political scandal could turn this upside down. I don't see anything in particular on the horizon. My point is that it is foolish to not challenge assumptions set in stone.

Japanese officials apparently didn't allow for enough critical thinking with respect to their pride & joy accomplishments and now they have 3 core melt downs.

Our accounting giants went from rock solid fame to circling the drain. Harvard isn't looking so bulletproof prestigious anymore.

In fact, college education in general, is coming under a critical eye, probably based on the poor job prospects of recent graduates and their looming student loan debt.

"Who offers the best education in our profession?"

Answer: AI

It would be silly to call a reasoned discussion of the plusses & minuses of earning a MAI designation off limits, but I agree that AI bashing sessions in this forum are generally out of line.

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

I am guessing that was a rhetorical question with no response expected.

Unless you plan on disagreeing with what you know I will say, in that case you would be wrong.

 

[AnonApprsr]

The designation is what the AI sells on the national level. They certainly do not push for the good of all appraisers, only for their designated members. And as pointed out in this thread, only for the commercial appraisers. That's my personal opinion. Oh, and they do need to pay all their executives and workers.... they need your fees! Pay up!

 

[Lakefront boater]

The designation is what the AI sells on the national level. They certainly do not push for the good of all appraisers, only for their designated members. And as pointed out in this thread, only for the commercial appraisers. That's my personal opinion. Oh, and they do need to pay all their executives and workers.... they need your fees! Pay up!

I'm a residential appraiser and I disagree with this statement. AI has a membership which is quite diverse in their expertise. The definitve book on the 1004 form is written by a MAI and published by the Institute. I really don't know what more they could do for the residential side of the industry except maybe try to lobby or push for legislation which in the end might not work at all.

The appraisal profession as a whole is small and does not have alot of quality educational materials and courses. For education alone AI is still the leader.

I mentioned in a previous thread that the problems with the residential side of appraising really isn't one group or entity, or appraisers in general. The economics of the business and the changes which take place in businesses is why things are the way they are. It's unfortunate but there is textbook after textbook example of many businesses which go through what residential appraising is going through.

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

The designation is what the AI sells on the national level. They certainly do not push for the good of all appraisers, only for their designated members. And as pointed out in this thread, only for the commercial appraisers. That's my personal opinion. Oh, and they do need to pay all their executives and workers.... they need your fees! Pay up!

Well no kidding, if you were a super hero you would be Captain Obvious, isn't that the point of trade groups?

Why would I want my membership dollars working for the benefit of a bunch of other people who don't pay dues? So the AI is supposed to cater to a bunch of freeloaders, a group that I might add even if they did try to help "all the appraisers" would likely resent their help anyway.

We have a group that represents all appraisers its called the The Appraisal Foundation, the offer no designations, and only try to make the profession better through ethics and relevant courses.

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

Well no kidding, if you were a super hero you would be Captain Obvious, isn't that the point of trade groups?

Why would I want my membership dollars working for the benefit of a bunch of other people who don't pay dues? So the AI is supposed to cater to a bunch of freeloaders, a group that I might add even if they did try to help "all the appraisers" would likely resent their help anyway.

We have a group that represents all appraisers its called the The Appraisal Foundation, the offer no designations, and only try to make the profession better through ethics and relevant courses.

Why I do agree with the Captain Obvious designation, I'd have to disagree in general.

The AI lobbies on numerous fronts for regs/laws that will benefit its membership who are appraisers. The upshot of that is that their lobbying benefits all appraisers. The AI and the other professional organizations are lobbying for issues that benefit their members specifically but accrue benefits to the entire profession.

 

[JSmith43]

The AI lobbies on numerous fronts for regs/laws that will benefit its membership who are appraisers. The upshot of that is that their lobbying benefits all appraisers. The AI and the other professional organizations are lobbying for issues that benefit their members specifically but accrue benefits to the entire profession.

Because of that, I wish them well.

But, "stuff" happens, now & then. The Principle of Change is likely to flex its muscles like never before & ripple throughout our economic environment. If the server & backups for the AF stay glued together long enough, let's look back in 10 years. Mark your electronic calendars and hope the information imports to your next OS in The Cloud, which unexpectedly gets lost to unanticipated volcanic activity:icon_lol:

 

[Pittsburgh Pete]

And I'll keep my eye out for the sun rising in the west!