It’s my privilege to share that AI has joined forces with Fannie Mae on a terrific partnership to promote valuation careers. Here’s more about that, and other timely updates, from the past month.
AI, Fannie Mae Join Forces to Promote Diversity in Valuation Profession
You might be interested to know that the Appraisal Institute is joining with Fannie Mae to promote appraisal careers and to foster diversity in the valuation profession.
AI is serving as co-lead on Fannie Mae’s Appraiser Diversity Pipeline Initiative with the National Urban League and Altisource. The initiative is intended to attract new entrants to the residential appraisal field, overcome barriers to entry (such as education, training and experience requirements) and to foster diversity.
Reminder: ‘My Account’ Online Changes to Launch Oct. 1
You’ll recall from last month’s message that on Oct. 1, the Appraisal Institute will launch changes to the My Account portion of the organization’s website, which will enhance your online user experience; however, from Sept. 26-30, significant service functionalities will not be available to you either via the AI website or through contacting AI staff.
Among the functionalities that will not be available are:
- Registration for most AI courses, seminars and other education events
- Purchases of textbooks, webinars and other items in the AI online store
- Self-service features available in My Account.
From Sept. 26-30, education certificate availability also will be limited.
Access to AI’s public website, online learning features and access to education transcripts will remain available. Important note: while online learning will be available, if you complete a program between Sept. 26 and Oct. 1, the program completion will not be recorded until after Oct. 1. If you have a license renewal on Sept. 30, you’ll want to complete your program before the end of Sept. 25.
Also, please note that on or after Oct. 1, but not before, you will need to reset your account password to access your account. Information will be provided soon on how to reset your password.
Please plan for this service disruption.
AI Opens Registration for New Education Series
Here’s something worth noting: registration is now open for a great new Appraisal Institute education offering.
Appraisal Engagement, Appraisal Reviews, and Evaluations, a four-part series, will premiere Oct. 25, followed by sessions Nov. 1, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15. Each 2.5-hour live online (synchronous) offering is designed for lending, credit, audit or risk management staff who order, review or use for underwriting a real estate loan. Attendees will gain insight on what regulators expect from banks, internal bank policy and process, the appraisal process and scope of work.
Industry Leadership: AI Contributes at Major Events in September
In keeping with the Appraisal Institute’s commitment to convey its thought leadership to real estate professionals and others, 2016 AI President Scott Robinson, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, represented the organization at the Association of Romanian Valuers (commonly known as ANEVAR) Valuation Conference, Sept. 5-6, in Bucharest, Romania, where he presented on the “Impact and Opportunity of Technology-Based Valuation.”
Additionally, Immediate Past President Jim Murrett, MAI, SRA, presented at the International Association of Assessing Officers International Conference on Assessment Administration, Sept. 8-11, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on “Green Building and Property Values.” AI also exhibited at this event.
I conducted a media tour of the Washington, D.C., market Sept. 9-10, meeting with representatives of publications such as American Banker, National Mortgage News, Builder magazine and Multifamily Executive magazine. AI Communications Director Ken Chitester and I talked to reporters and editors about appraisal thresholds, appraisal waivers, evaluations, iBuyers and other topics.
President-Elect Jeff Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS, served on a panel at the Texas Realtor Conference, Sept. 13, in Fort Worth, Texas: “iBuyers: What Is Coming Next?” Jeff also presented at the Relocation Appraisers and Consultants Conference, Sept. 19-20, in Plano, Texas, on a variety of valuation and AI-specific topics.
In a few days, on Sept. 25, I’ll have the opportunity to present at the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Expo on “Green Building and Property Values.”
AI also had a booth at the Appraisal Summit, Sept. 14-17, in Las Vegas, and will do so again at Valuation Expo, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in Las Vegas.
AIERF to Help Hurricane Victims Needing Assistance
Don’t forget that the Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation is available to assist AI professionals and their families who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
Learn more about seeking assistance or making a donation. Please note that from Sept. 26-30, the application for those seeking assistance can be be accessed and submitted, but donations can’t be made during that time due to the website updates noted above.
Other News Around AI
And here’s some other important news from the Appraisal Institute:
- In collaboration with Freddie Mac, the Appraisal Institute has added new offerings around the country of its practical appraisal training for appraisers to address manufactured housing valuation assignments for Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHomeSM. See the new offerings of this great initiative.
- I’m sad to report that A. “Scruggs” Love Jr., MAI, SRA, passed away Sept. 13. He was a member of AI’s South Texas Chapter, and president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers in 1990. Please join me, and the rest of the Appraisal Institute, in thinking of Scruggs’ family at this time. Learn more about his long service to the valuation profession.
- The Appraisal Institute continues to grow its social media activities. Be sure to follow AI on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.