What are your experiences??

[UNDERSTANDIN]

I have just passed my state certified exam and submitted my papers to the Appraisal Board. At that point, a 5 to 7 day waiting period was given. After two weeks I still have not received my certificate or number. Calling yesterday I was told by a worker that I have not received my certificate because the paperwork is still on her desk, due to her having to work on a "special project". I still have to wait another 5 to 7 days at best, and unable to work until then. Is this time frame uncommon? I welcome any comments.

 

[Tom Hildebrandt]

Understandin

What state are you in?

North Carolina is real bad about somethings, but I can say they are very efficient about processing applications and turning around such requests. If they find a "problem" you enter the political quagmire, but if your application is straight forward, no criminal history or such in your background, there is no waiting for special projects.

Regards

Tom Hildebrandt GAA

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Looks like it depends on the state. When I took my certification exam, I knew I'd passed right away and was legally certified right then and there. The official number and paperwork only took a few days. It's not all that important to them in some states, obviously. Sorry it's happening to you!

 

[UNDERSTANDIN]

Understandin

What state are you in?

North Carolina is real bad about somethings, but I can say they are very efficient about processing applications and turning around such requests. If they find a "problem" you enter the political quagmire, but if your application is straight forward, no criminal history or such in your background, there is no waiting for special projects.

Regards

Tom Hildebrandt GAA

Thank you for your timely response. I'm located in New Jersey. Also, the criminal history and background check have be addressed at the apprentice level. So the application is a straight forward process. Thanks again Tom.

George

 

[David C. Johnson]

<span style='color:darkblue'>Augh, George...

FYI, In some states, like NC, even if one happens to have a healthy criminal record (while I understand yours to be clean), it's not necessarily "allshewrote" if all the Bishops happen to be in peachy mood that day. For instance, at the last set of character approval hearings at the NCAB (North Carolina Appraisal Board) for granting either licensure or official trainee status, admitted were:

(1) convicted burglar

(1) convicted insurance felon (caught faking his/her own death)

Plus several others of perhaps slightly improved repute. Sure smacks of nepotism to me, but..

So, a word to the wise (felon):

"I have since been saved! Praise the Lord!"

appears to be the correct answer for most Board Member interrogatories.

dcj
___________________

PS.
I got there a bit late and missed those two confirmations (and any associated revival and/or prayer meetings, etc.) however, as several forum participants are my witness, I believe the account to be gospel. Either the Honorary Associate Deacon Thomas G. Hildebrandt, Jr., or the good Rev. Robert D. Ipock, Ph.D. (either of whom may or may not have also been re-saved at the time) will no doubt be willing to swear to it (or affirm, or whatever).

God Bless!</span>

 

[USPAP Compliant]

David's post is somewhat correct.

One fellow was not a burgler.....he was an armed robber and spent seven years in prison. Robbed a convenience store and his partner in crime shot the clerk (Habib did not die).

The other fellow had faked his own death in order for his insurance to stop the foreclosure on this parent's farm. They lost the family farm any way....over 100 years in the family.


Both of these fellows had filed an application and were DENIED. They asked for a hearing and hearings were granted in both cases. They came to Raleigh to appear before the board and tell their stories.


These were two VERY tough decisions. Should these guys be granted a license? That was the question. I am SO GLAD this was not a decision for me to make.


Both of these fellows had commited this crimes around 1985, been convicted, served their time and had no crimconvictions since that time.
Both were in their early twenties when they did there crimes.

So now...some 15-18 years later they want to be appraisers. One of them is CURRENTLY a licensed real estate broker in NC. The NCREC had issued him a license several years ago and he had a clean record with them.

The NCAB granted both men the opportunity to sit for the state exam.

I believe in compassion, forgiveness, the ability for a person to change and redemption. At the same time I know that sometimes one must pay a heavy price for their crimes.

After all was said an done, I asked myself what I would have done. I decided that my decision would have been the same. Give 'em a chance.
If anyone came to a different conclusion I would not disagree. I am not sure there was a right or wrong answer.

The appraisers who have agreed to train and supervise these guys are aware of th past charges. I suspect they will be monitered bery closely.


Given my description of the facts.....is there a clear answer as to what the "correct decision" should be? Heck, I STILL don't know. What a decision to have to make.

 

[Tom Hildebrandt]

Bob

Good summary. Tough decisions, I beleive well made but....

before your time attending the NCAB meetings, there was the black appraiser wannabe who was denied a license for the crime of failing to return rental property, turns out it was a video tape.

He had already been saved it turns out but was an Episcopalian, not Baptist. Apparently revivals are the key, or could it be something else?

Regards

Tom Hildebrandt GAA

 

[USPAP Compliant]

That expalins it! Episcopalian! I am one of those too.

Consitency is badly needed at the NCAB. There is not much rhyme or reason as to why and what takes place sometime. Punisments vary greatly.

I will say this, I really admired those guys for making the trip and stating their case. Most people would have just given up.

Also, at least these guys had DECLARED their criminal history. It seems that most of the time people do not DISCLOSE and that is what gets them denied.

I am 100% in favor for criminal background checks on all applicants. A conviction should not be an automatic "no license granted", it really does need to be on a case by case basis.

 

[Mike Simpson]

UNDERSTANDIN-

Sounds like you applied for a license to own an automatic weapon!

Judging from David's & Bob's post--some apparently have.

Anybody have a problem gettin paid???--Hire an Armed Robber to collect your past due accounts - 'You Don't Want to See Me Again,' or how bout someone to 'fake' the deadbeats death - 'Maybe he's not so good at fakin it...you may wanna pay.'

I'm wonderin how much lower this profession can sink before it cease to exist! I can honestly say, "I remember when it wasn't this way."

-Mike

 

[USPAP Compliant]

Mike,

If I had not been there to witness the hearings on these two fellows....I might have come to your conclusion. Hearing about or reading about these cases falls short of being there and listenting first hand to these guys take the stand and tell their stories, answer questions from the board and plead their case.

No doubt, a line must be drawn somewhere. If these convictins had been a couple a years ago.....well that would make a difference to me.

I listend to these guys bare their souls on the witness stand and I thought back to some of the DUMB, STUPID (perhaps not criminal) stuff I did as a young man and....welll "there but for the Grace of God go I".

I bet these guys (and I may be wrong) will be far less likely to dishonest than most new appraisers. They have first hand experience on the reality of being CAUGHT!

Again, those were TOUGH DECISIONS. A no win situation for the board members.....no matter what they decided a good argument could be developed that their decision was wrong.