What Are You Doing To Better The Profession?

[Lee Lansford]

I have a great deal of respect for any competent and ethical appraiser who visits this forum. I respect those appraisers who seek to learn and become better appraisers.

I have read many topics and postings during the past few years and I have confidence that the vast majority of appraisers who visit here have great interest in the betterment of our profession.

I see many individual appraisers making effort to shed light on problems within our industry and seeking answers to problems both on a personal level and on a much larger scope.

I also discern a general lack of interest among many posters (and, I surmise, those who read and don't post) in becoming (at least, most posters do not appear to be) affiliated with a professional appraiser association. I believe that this is not good for the long-run health of our profession (well, it's a "profession" for those of us who still treat it as such).

Here in Illinois we have a coalition (fyi: largest coalition of licensed appraisers of any of the 50 states) of licensed appraisers: ICAP (IL Coalition of Appraisal Professionals).
ICAP has approximately 3000 appraiser members. Many are members of professional associations (AI, NAIFA, NAMA etc.); many are not.
HOWEVER, ICAP was formed by members of these professional associations. ICAP is a lobbying group that looks out for the welfare of the public and appraisers. Representative of ICAP recently gathered for a re-write of IL Appraisal License Law and will make a signficant contribution to the Law that Illiinois appraisers will labor under.

I am a member of a local chapter of the NAIFA. The chapter that I belong to (Chicago Metro Chapter) alone has 5 of the 25 AQB Certified USPAP Instructors in Illinois; two of our members are past-presidents of ICAP.

No association that counts human beings as members is perfect and there may be a thousand reasons NOT to affiliate with a professional group.

My point here is that though you as an individual may have great interest in the betterment of the profession, and you voice your opinions in this forum, you working on your own have little hope of making an impact to better the profession to any significant degree.

So my questions are: What are you doing now to better the profession? What will you do tomorrow to better the profession?

 

[Hank Outlaw]

I must confess that I have only attempted to be an honest, ethical, competent appraiser by covering a limited area, and taking responsibility only for my own work. Beyond that, I have basically used the excuse that I haven't (re) joined any appraisal organizations, because I don't see any positives from a cost / benefit standpoint. The Appraisal Institute would be my first choice, but AI seems like its really focused on commercial appraisers, and the SRA sounds like its going the way of the dinosaur based on e-mails and forum threads. The NAIFA is virtually extinct in North Carolina, rarely if ever having any educational offerings. The NAR Appraisal Section seems to be nothing more than a venue for getting three letters behind your name. I've been a member or candidate of the above so I can't speak from experience on any others, except the outfit in California, which I dropped early on in my appraisal career (mid to late 80's) when I read the article and subsequent lawsuit involving the designation of a cat! :rainfro:

Unfortunately, the majority of clients care about two things with residential work: how soon can you have it completed and what is the fee? That, plus the competition among skippies and incompetent appraisers that have the reputation of getting the number needed (appraising the price, not the house!).

I can't see why there can't be one appraisal organization, such as the Appraisal Institute. I may be speaking out of ignorance, but I'm not aware of several accounting organizations (CPA) or architectural organizations (AIA), or real estate agent organizations (NAR), so why can't these [appraisal] groups come to terms, gather their resources, become one unified and better recognized appraisal organization for the betterment of appraisers? (sorry... I've been napping all afternoon during football games and I guess I'm either dreaming or have not woke up completely!) :blink:

I look forward to other (constructive) comments. I'm sure I've done my share of whining! I hate it when people do that... whine and complain and have nothing constructive to say or offer. There's another New Year's Resolution for me: Stop complaining and get to work!

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006,

Hank O.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

I served one term, 3 years, on our State Appraisal Council (Board) and was appointed by the Governor. Typically, the Council Member is reappointed for another term. However, one term was enough for me and I resigned after 3 years.

Being a member of the State Appraisal Council requires quite a bit of time, fortitude and patience. Things move slowly on this Board and in my case, I found the members of the Council's hands were tied by rules, regs, and the Council's DAG (can't elaborate on that). Professional Members are assigned cases (selected by the Investigators) and work with the Investigators to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to come before Council, or should there be a complaint agreement signed, indicating the appraiser in question should be slapped on the wrist with additional education courses, or something else minimal. I was assigned 3 cases in 3 years, hardly enough to make me feel like I was making a difference. None of those 3 made it to full hearings, and in each instance the DAG "recommended" a letter of complaint be filed, instead. I believe in the 3 years I was on the Council, there were only 4 cases making it to full hearings. It was a very frustrating experience, and an eye opener, but I'm glad I put in my time.

I am more interested in working with my peers to establish a State Association of Real Estate Appraisers. I believe working in that respect, would better help control dishonest appraisers in our area.

I plan to take on more review work this year and will test the waters to see if any that I report make it past the Investigators, and to the Council for a full hearing. Of course, I charge at least the price of a full appraisal for a field review, so I probably won't get many of those.

I am not interested in having a designation, or joining an appraiser organization. I was affiliated with one many years ago, and found it to be nothing more than a money pit. This Forum is much more valuable to me.

 

[Don Clark]

B) I second what Hank & Charlotte said. The reason we can't or won't have one organization represent us all is that the organizations like to play musical chairs, and there are only so many chairs on the deck of their ship of state. heck, I was just offered one of those musical chairs if I would join a group a group called the National Association of Asset Servicers. It includes appraisers, Real estate agent, lenders, accountants, REO managers, underwriters, etc. But, it cost $600.00 per year. I doubt it would do little to promote the things I care about, and, I try and make a difference by posting here. Lee, you are a fine person and a true professional. I am not out to knock NAIFA but with the exception of a few states, and fine folks like you, the organization has no real clout left. I belong to a state association in my second license state of North Carolina. I would like to form a similar one in Virginia. Hey Charlotte, since strength is in numbers maybe we could have the DelVa Association of Professional Appraisers. Maryland already has a fine organization so it can't be DelMarVA. I would be willing to work with you and Charles Witt to get it started.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Originally posted by Don Clark@Jan 1 2006, 08:45 PM
I would like to form a similar one in Virginia. Hey Charlotte, since strength is in numbers maybe we could have the DelVa Association of Professional Appraisers. Maryland already has a fine organization so it can't be DelMarVA. I would be willing to work with you and Charles Witt to get it started.

Hey, that's an idea, Don! I forwarded your post in an e-mail to Charlie, who's at his desk tonight, also. He's a worker, and very interested in improving our profession, as you know. Thanks!

 

[Charles Witt]

Folks, youy all have good points. I understand ICAP is doing a good job representing the propfession in your satate Lee. Hank I agree that most appraisers, and we have too many in Delaware who are only concerned with $$$ and not about disappointing a few mortgage officers once in a while when it is necessary. But there are quite a few that I respect and would have no qualms about doing work for me. It is very difficult, as Charlotte knows, to get any kind of competent discipline established due to administrative roadblocks that have been established over 14 years. They are difficult to break. Butr I think that I have started a trend in our State Appraisal Council.

But If all appraisers joined an organization that only looked out for appraisers, in all aspects, they would have a strong organization. But it can not be modelled after NAR.

I will invite any State Appraiser Association to send me a copy of their bylaws. As we establish one in Delaware, I wish to encompass all appraisrs, including trainees. I am hoping to model the approach after AI but without the designations, expense and demands. It is obvious, no organization once they are created can do every thing overnioght, but dedicated persons can malke a difference. Unfortunately my patience sometimes does not want to wait for results.

If I have not said it before, Happy New Year to all of you great people. Keep posting. I learn from your posts every day!

 

[Lee Lansford]

Charles, contact ICAP at www.ICAPweb.org

At the website obtain e-mail and regular (i.e., US Postal-type) mailing address.
If you make a specific request as to the assistance you need, I am confident that someone will help you. I suggest you make your request in more than one form; there is but a single (I believe!) paid employee and you may need to be a bit persistent.

As individuals we can easily feel helpless--and it is easy to feel that way given what we face if we are active in providing appraisals for residential lending.
For just about every problem to be solved, someone, somewhere, has to make effort.

Lee

 

[Charles Witt]

Lee: Thanks!

 

[Ron Mandato]

Charles

I agree wholeheartedly with your vow to improve the overall professionalism of Delaware appraisers and would like to be a part of it. I can relate to the process of the investigations and the lack of knowledge of the investigators as I have been there........They have no clue of what we do, why we do it or how we do it and the DAG goes along with it. It seems they do not have a basic knowledge of our profession and we are treated as though we are at the bottom of the food chain.

I do not post much to the forum, but I read many posts and have learned alot from them. Many appraisers are in the same position and we need appraisers to join together to re evaluate what and why we do it not just for the fee and turn time, but for the betterment of the people out there who rely on our reports to improve their lifestyle, send a child to college , put an addition on their house , etc, etc.

I have lost many clients due to requests I would not agree to. I.E Two houses on one lot and overlooking the second house as the lender would not make the loan on a property such as this. I turned the job down but guess what, they found an appraiser to overlook the second property.

Synergy among 10 appraisers creates 100 + ideas and so on, therefore an orgainzation of PROFESSIONAL APPRAISERS may put some of these "number makers" out of business. Many appraisers out there forget the word PROFESSIONAL and concentrate on $$$$$. That is not what we are all about.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Originally posted by Ronald Mandato@Jan 2 2006, 09:55 AM
I can relate to the process of the investigations and the lack of knowledge of the investigators as I have been there........They have no clue of what we do, why we do it or how we do it and the DAG goes along with it.  It seems they do not have a basic knowledge of our profession and we are treated as though we are at the bottom of the food chain.

Ron, I can relate to what you're saying. Somewhere along the line, probably from the very beginning in 1989-90 this whole thing was set up in our State hurriedly to get it off the ground. Having sat on the Council for 3 years, I can now tell you, was not a very comfortable feeling. The Professional members (the 4+- appraisers) are the only ones able to relate to these cases/complaints. By law, Public Members are required to be on the Council, and most of them don't have a clue, although I admire their interest in serving. The DAG advising the Council knows the law, but is not necessarily up to speed on USPAP. There was one hearing where a DAG representing our State was a complete embarrassment, referring to a Review of an appraisal as an "Audit". I couldn't help but speak out to correct her after she repeated that word 3 times. They don't speak our language! I also believe the Investigators should not be on the front line to see the first complaints coming to the Board, and should not be the decision makers to say "no grounds" and write a letter back to the person complaining saying so, or "maybe" and send it to the Council for consideration. I believe all complaints should come before our Council first. You are right, the Investigators also do not know USPAP, and have never taken a course. The most they have is an old USPAP book passed down to them from some appraiser ready to obtain a new copy. In addition, there is an Administrative Assistant (Clerk/Secretary) having too much power. IMO she/he should sit in on the meetings, take notes, and answer when a question is asked. New ideas and suggestions by Council Members should not be discouraged by the Clerk/Secretary or DAG. The Council's job is to protect the public from fraudulent appraisals, and appraisers willing to write fraudulent appraisals; thanks to the current setup, our Council is not able to do their job.

There is a tremendous amount of work to do to "fix" what has been put in place wrongly from Day 1. Perhaps if more appraisers attended these Council meetings or made it known he/she wanted to serve, more would understand what a mess has been created and would bravely speak out. Yes, I served, I learned, and I'm glad I was there to witness everything first hand.