...I first applied and was told you had to be licensed/certified for at least five years. At the end of that term, I updated or resubmitted an application. From that I was returned "thanks, but no thanks....at this time". This application had enclosed all the political influence I could submit as references. Those references included VA appraisers, retired military, the state house chairman of the Veterans' Committee, and another state politician. All were window-dressing, but I knew not how else to attempt to influence my selection. Then sometime about 2003-04 the Tidewater Initiative occurred resulting(as I understand...) in the VA either choosing to abandoning the Panel, ala FHA, or adding additional appraisers for better servicing of the military's loan needs. VA added appraisers. When I went on the Panel in 2004, it was after my first appraisal course in 1980 and six years after receiving the "wonderful, but NO letter". I knew decades ago in this market that if you were not VA, the appraisal avenue was too narrow of a travel. In short it took me twelve years to get on the Panel and the trip today has been worthwhile....best to you...rs
