Allterra Group

When the average appraiser thinks about what has happened in the appraisal industry and what is on the horizon, it is so easy to limit our thinking to what has happened in our own backyards. But there are other nations who suffered their own financial crisis. Other countries have high foreclosure rates as well. Hopefully, we can learn from our own mistakes. But can we learn from the mistakes of others? Do other nations struggle with similar issues in the valuation space? How do other countries manage the appraisal process?

There is a lot of misunderstanding and anxiety about background checks. I think we could all agree with that statement, right?

Let me put your mind at ease about a few of the myths that are perpetuated in the blogosphere.

Myth #1: "I did something stupid when I was in college and I am a different person today. A background check is going to cause me to lose work."

This is sorta like dealing with the GSE's UAD stuff............

But it's not really complicated!

Q & C Ratings are ABSOLUTE and don't change from one assignment to the next. Once you 'rate' a property for Quality and Condition, keep that 'rating' in place when the property is used again in successive report(s) .... unless there has been documented and verifiable changes in the interim period.

Some appraisers avoid the AQM hassle by putting the 'new' adjustment on a blank line on the grid, rather than change the rating number in the space above the GLA line.

Last year we started a summer reading list for appraisers with recent books that appeal to appraisers about the industry or business in general. This year we have a brand new batch of books for appraisers to read.

The Allterra Group has always been known for their top notch on-site continuing education. Whether it is the lender sponsored appraiser events, seminars and webinars, or the national conference held every year at Valuation Expo. Now they are expanding their options and making continuing education available in the comfort of your own home or office! We sat down with their Director of Online Education, Ashley Hammond, to discuss Allterra Online and its offerings for appraisers.

Over the past several years, I have had the experience of meeting and conversing with literally thousands of appraisers from every state in the Union as well as from countries across the world. Though I have not kept track of the exact number, I would estimate that my conversations with appraisers is now approaching several thousand. Some meetings are superficial, but others are deep and meaningful. My experience has given me the unintentional consequence of having a somewhat unique perspective on the condition of today's real estate appraiser.

A little over a year ago we spoke with Bruce Unangst, the Executive Director of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission, to talk about oversight of AMCs. We were able to touch base with him again recently to see what has been going on since the adoption of their final AMC rules. Appraisers will definitely be interested in his responses to our questions in this latest interview.

The Appraisal Institute in May announced the formation of a new certification organization: the International Center for Valuation Certification.

In October 2013, the Appraisal Institute announced three major strategic initiatives that have the potential to fundamentally reshape the global valuation profession:

Our 15th edition of Valuation Expo is over and everyone that attended told us it was one of the best ever! The Collateral Risk Network meeting had more attendees than ever before and the CRN party hosted by ACI was said to be the networking event of the year.