What is the Appraisal Forum ?

[ZZGAMAZZ]

The AF is more helpful to my skills as an appraisal than I could ever describe; and I'm extremely grateful.

But I don't "understand" the implications of the Forum. Does it create revenue for its creator? Do similar on-line forums exist for practitioners in other industries? Etc., etc.

 

[Joe Flacco]

I agree AF is a good informative site.

The owner of the site makes money by selling ads. Other industries have forums as well. I like to read up on broker and lender issues at brokeroutpost.

 

[Head Surfer]

I started the forum because when I was an appraiser I worked alone and had no one to bounce ideas off of. So I thought it would be a good thing for appraisers to have a place to do that online. I made it open to anyone with an interest in real estate appraisal as there were at the time several "appraisers only" forums, email forums and the like.

I did not start it to make money and could not even conceive it ever would. It was started as a sub section of my old hosting site for appraisers in 1998 and then put on it's own domain of AppraisersForum.com in 2000.

But now it does make some money, and as Joe said from selling ads.

I do thank everyone for their participation over the years!

 

[Noreen]

I very much appreciate the Forum for so many things. New England can be "quirky" and it is common to have an "unusual" issue once every 10 days or so, especially with slower market sales to utilize for comparison. Many times I will wonder about something and within a short period of time, someone else in another part of the country will post about the same issue. There are definitely different "schools of thought" in other areas and different reference wording but it has become a valuable source of knowledge and laughs. For the most part, everyone here is a working professional and pleasant.

 

[JTip]

My life without the AF would be TOTALLY different.......

I have been taught more about appraising on the forum than any AI/IRWA classes, EVER.

I secured a $350k listing several years ago thanks to appraiserusa.

I made several professional contacts and a few good friends (and one wedding) thanks to the AF.

I secured my dream job to glide me to retirement thanks to the AF.

Can't forget a collection of t-shirts from across the country from the Christmas exchanges over the years thanks to the AF.

If I ever make it down to Florida, I will look up the Head Surfer and buy him dinner or three.

 

[Mountain Man]

It's way bigger than you can realize....

 

[Mountain Man]

Hey wait J... I'm feeling robbed. You have inherited plenty of my old technology to not stop by for a beer or 12.

 

[JTip]

How can I forget....

MM is like our Star Trek rep, always with the new tech stuff. His old used stuff is still available at Best Buy in their 'New Release' department. He must be a beta tester for Apple, Sony and Samsung.

I have to say that Sony R/W disc camera was pretty awesome. Stepping up from that Sony 3 1/2" floppy (held 20+ images) to the cds (100+ pics) made appraisal life so much easier. She passed when my FIL dropped it because he forgot to read the instructions on how to properly operate the shoulder strap......

Yes sir MM, the farm welcomes you if you ever set foot in central PA. The chicken coop's fridge is full of icy cold cans and is at your disposal.

---------------

I also scored a nice Disto (my first) from Chris C. down in Florida. Forgot the model name but pick up any brick and that's about the size of it. Worked well until I upgraded to a D5 a few years ago. This old thing is still in use up at my friend's DOT district for total takes and sign measurements. Hope Chris is doing well these days.

 

[Ms. Janet]

I also scored a nice Disto (my first) from Chris C. down in Florida. Forgot the model name but pick up any brick and that's about the size of it. Worked well until I upgraded to a D5 a few years ago. This old thing is still in use up at my friend's DOT district for total takes and sign measurements. Hope Chris is doing well these days.

Chris has been very ill but seems to be slowly getting better.