USPAP class for the thirteenth time

[Tiffany Gibbons]

Kelley Queen seems orgasmic.

Greetings! I am so invigorated coming out of last week’s Board of Trustees meeting. This month, I wanted to use this space to reflect and share my deep appreciation for everyone who has contributed to our work this year. From our boards to our partners, stakeholders, regulators, councils, and panels, none of this work would be possible without their tireless contributions to prioritize the public trust. Here are a few quick takeaways I had from this year’s Fall Board of Trustees meeting. Also be sure to check out some of the photos from Friday below! Inspiration: There were so many people and events at this meeting that inspired me. Our SAVVY Award winner Rachel Beam has an incredible story about welcoming the next generation of appraisers and promoting diversity in our profession, and I was so invigorated to hear from the first PAREA graduates as they shared their stories. From our board trainings on Thursday to the general session on Saturday there was inspiration around every corner. Attendance: We set some attendance records with this meeting! With over 70 people in person and over 200 joining us via livestream, this Board of Trustees meeting reached more people than ever before. I’m thrilled that so many people can play an active role in the work that we are doing to build public trust. Critical Analysis: One of the things we’ve been intentional about with our Board of Trustees meetings this year is creating more opportunities for engagement and discussion. Dr. Brent Ambrose’s presentation on his research into appraisal bias was a wonderful opportunity for our audience, both in person and virtual, to start a conversation. We will continue to identify exciting speakers and panels like this one to ensure our meetings are relevant to our audiences. All of these were incredible moments but there’s one that I want to spend a bit more time reflecting on with you. One of the most moving moments of the meeting for me was the grace and leadership displayed by this year’s AQB and ASB Chairs: Brad Swinney and Michelle Czekalski Bradley. These two incredible leaders have steered our standards and qualifications boards through incredibly trying times. I don’t think they fully understood the depth of the workload they were in for when they took the helm of our independent boards. But they both stepped up in ways that I have rarely seen leaders do. Michelle spearheaded the rewriting of the Ethics Rule with an energy and deep knowledge of USPAP that ensured the final product would be a critical asset for appraisers and consumers alike. The entire profession owes her a debt of gratitude for this revolutionary work. Brad’s calm leadership was critical as the AQB came under close scrutiny by federal regulators. He ensured that the Board could be responsive to federal regulators while also being laser focused on their goal to conduct a comprehensive review of the Criteria. We haven’t even begun to see the full fruits of this labor yet, but I know that it will be a game changer for the profession. Both of these incredible leaders cemented their legacies at the Foundation this past week, when, for the good of their boards and the profession, they agreed to welcome the next generation of leadership to their respective boards during their final year of tenure. Their generosity of spirit and continued commitment to the profession over their personal careers is an example for us all. The Foundation and the profession will be in their debt for a long time to come, and to Brad and Michelle, I extend my most heartfelt thanks. This past week has been an incredible reminder of why we aim for the big, bold and impactful projects that will shape this profession for the next generation. I am so energized as we head into the end of the year and begin planning to make 2025 just as much of a change maker as 2024 has been. Thank you all for your continued commitment to this critical work. Kelly Davids President

Ick!

 

[Tiffany Gibbons]

Take a look at the AQB appointees. Yep William Fall of the $140.00, 1004 fame headlines it.

ASB and AQB Appointments​

At the fall Board of Trustees meetings, the Boards Nominating Committee conducted their public interviews of candidates interviewing for the Appraisal Standards Board and Appraiser Qualifications Board. Following deliberations, the Boards Nominating Committee recommended, and the Board of Trustees approved the following candidates:

To the Appraisal Standards Board:

• Alan Hummel: 2-year term
• AJ Hutson: 3-year term
• Nicholas Pilz: 3-year term

To the Appraiser Qualifications Board:

• William Fall: 3-year term
• Miriam Lopez: 2-year term
• Valerie Scott: 3-year term
• Brady Swinney: 1 year term

The Board of Trustees also approved the chairs and vice chairs of both boards for 2025. Nicholas Pilz was named Chair and Timothy Hansen was named Vice Chair of the Appraisal Standards Board. Jerry Yurek was named Chair and Valerie Scott was named Vice Chair of the Appraiser Qualifications Board.

Please join us in congratulating everyone on their appointments!

William Fall...

 

[Tiffany Gibbons]

The problem with these USPAP classes is they don't actually spend much time ensuring appraisers know it. They pick a topic or two to lightly brush up on, but most of the 7 hour class time is spent with 4 minute videos by monotone people telling us why a colon was changed to a semicolon. It is a weak charade for the money tree that USPAP has become.

The fact that so many appraisers still do not seem to know USPAP well speaks to the utter failure of these update 'classes'.

Exactly.

 

[djd09]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1852481621418533149

https://twitter.com/x/status/1852716944153043161

why do they hate us so much...

 

[George Hatch]

I think a lot of appraisers look at the topic of appraisal standards as functioning primarily as a punitive and oppressive a form of control and being anti-appraiser in general. A weapon being aimed at hurting the individual. Preventing the individual from doing things. And indeed , "prohibition" truly is what any ruleset does - it limits the actions of the individual.

I think many appraisers might change their minds a little if they were to consider the "why" of these various requirements. Why is HBU analysis necessary to do what they have to do? How does analyzing and considering a sales history help an appraiser get to a reasonable value conclusion now? What is the reason and utility for identifying and considering the effects on their SOW decision of identifying and incorporating considerations attributable to a particular intended use or intended user?

Which of the various rules does the individual think are totally arbitrary and whimsical in nature, and for which there are no legitimate origins or applications. How differently would the individual proceed if their intention was to act in good faith in their appraisal assignment. Which existing requirements inhibit that or slow them down enough to make a difference in their own bottom line?

IMO, the "What" on these issues are the IRL result of the "Why" behind each of these requirements. I also think the standards level the playing field between the appraiser and their critics WRT deciding what was/wasn't reasonable for that assignment. I also don't think it makes any difference what the standard is called or which authority authorizes it of which group of appraisers develop/promulgate it. The people who are trying to be members of the herd in good standing will collaborate and those people who don't acknowledge any common ground with anyone will continue to resist the mere existence of those common requirements and expectations.

 

[djd09]

yeah it would be nice if the supreme beings of 15th st loosened the handcuffs so we could compete...with the unlicensed mortgage broker appraisers

 

[djd09]

could you imagine going in front of a judge for some criminal offense...and she sentences you to a minimum of 1 year

 

[George Hatch]

yeah it would be nice if the supreme beings of 15th st loosened the handcuffs so we could compete...with the unlicensed mortgage broker appraisers

What are you talking about? What "unlicensed mortgage broker appraisers"?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

If there's a problem with an appraiser's SOW decision there is no scenario where our standards are going to hold the appraiser harmless due to a client having some specific expectations

The cruel pinch of want in hard times invites an appraiser to skirt some rules in order to eat. And many appraisers know that the minor things are likely not to trigger a complaint. If you appraise everything just slightly high enough to get the deal done, the regulators are unlikely to know it and everyone else is happy.

so the lenders will continue to operate under the govt boot, which will limit what they can and can't do.

As if no bankster skirts the rules or even knows their own rules. After D-F passed in 2011, had a banker tell me that they took a compliance class for Dodd-Frank, and it was only there she learned they'd been doing it wrong for the 20 years she had been in the biz. She was referring to the Inter-agency guidelines.

a lot of appraisers look at the topic of appraisal standards as functioning primarily as a punitive and oppressive a form of control

That is because it is... Look at this Arizona home inspector who has had several complaints before the AZ board of home inspectors... complaints from both his competition and the builders. Punitive punishment is common. Inept board members with an axe to grind are the norm.

 

[George Hatch]

IMO, "You have no right to criticize me because my client made me do it" will never become an acceptable defense. Not when appraisers are challenged every day to comply and all-but-the-few proceed to act independently. Their mere existence dispels the talking point that it's unreasonable to expect the same from every appraiser, every time.