If you’re a dynamic speaker who can address valuation-related topics, there’s a great opportunity for you to share your expertise. Here’s more about that, and other timely updates, from the past month.
AI Seeks Proposals for Sessions at 2020 Annual Conference
The Appraisal Institute is seeking presentation proposals by Nov. 25 for its 2020 Annual Conference, Aug. 3-5, in Orlando, Florida. The conference theme is “Rising to the Challenge.”
Attendees of previous AI Annual Conferences said they were particularly interested in these topics:
- Client and user needs.
- Best practices for business.
- Appraisal data and technology issues.
- Sustainability in real estate.
- Residential practices and issues.
- Market analysis.
- International valuation.
- Property rights issues.
- Litigation support.
- Supervisor/trainee education.
- Valuation of cannabis operations and dispensaries.
Learn more about submitting a proposal.
AI Opens Registration for New Education Offerings
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge before the end of the year, be sure to register for two new Appraisal Institute education offerings.
Valuation Resources for Solar Photovoltaic Systems will premiere Nov. 14 in Chicago. This four-hour seminar will note that there are over 1.5 million U.S. households with solar energy systems (nearly a 2% residential adoption rate), and the number of solar installations is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. For most appraisers, however, developing the value of solar is a new frontier. But as the demand grows for appraisers who can properly value solar homes, forward-thinking appraisers will have a market edge.
Rural Area Appraisals: Freddie Mac Guidelines and Property Eligibility Requirements will premiere Nov. 21 in Fargo, North Dakota. This seven-hour seminar addresses eligible and ineligible property qualifications; price ceiling limitations in rural markets; how urban development, farm productivity and conversion to residential uses affect land prices; highest and best use problems in rural residential appraisals; how the Freddie Mac Appraisal Guidelines relate to rural appraisals; how to extract and support adjustments in rural residential appraisals; how to support deductions for unusual designs or functional problems; and how to use regression analysis to support a conclusion regarding highest and best use.
AI Partners with Society of Industrial and Office Realtors on Webinar
Here’s a date you’ll want to save. The Appraisal Institute and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors will co-sponsor a free webinar Oct. 30: “Appealing CRE Property Taxes: How Appraisal Modifications Could Reduce What’s Owed.” The webinar will be presented by Bob Dietrich, MAI.
The webinar will help enhance appraisers’ knowledge of commercial real estate property taxes, and will use market and actual operating data to help professionals explain their position. It also will discuss how to make a case for a property assessment reduction.
AI Praises House for Passing Valuation-Related Bills
As part of its ongoing advocacy efforts, the Appraisal Institute last month applauded the U.S. House for passing consumer-friendly legislation that will address long-standing concerns surrounding residential appraisals.
The Appraisal Reform Act (H.R. 3619), which passed Sept. 19, requires full consumer disclosure of appraisal management company fees, separating them from the appraisal fee in the homebuyer’s Closing Disclosure Form. The Appraisal Institute recommended and supported this provision, and we are extremely gratified to see the legislation passed by the House.
The Homebuyer Assistance Act of 2019 (H.R. 2852), which AI supports, passed Sept. 10, and would allow state-licensed appraisers to perform appraisals for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. In amending the National Housing Act, the bill would require compliance with existing appraiser education requirements.
Learn more about this important legislation.
Industry Leadership: AI Contributes at Major Events in October
In keeping with the Appraisal Institute’s commitment to convey its thought leadership to real estate professionals and others, AI participated in the following events in October:
- Immediate Past President Jim Murrett, MAI, SRA, represented the organization at Valuation Expo, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in Las Vegas.
- International Relations Committee Chair Ken Wilson, MAI, SRA, joined me at the Federation of Colleges of Valuers (commonly known as FECOVAL) Congress, Oct. 9-12, in Chihuahua, Mexico.
- President-Elect Jeff Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS, and Vice President Rodman Schley, MAI, SRA, presented at The European Group of Valuers Associations (commonly known as TEGoVA) Fall Conference, Oct. 10-12, in Sofia, Bulgaria, re: “The Relevance of Appraisal Standards and Major Issues Affecting the U.S. Valuation Profession.”
- I was joined by Chief Executive Officer Jim Amorin, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS at the Union of Pan American Valuers (commonly known as UPAV) Congress, Oct. 16-18, in Panama City, Panama.
- Rodman and Jim Murrett attended the Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials (commonly known as AARO) Fall Conference, Oct. 18-21, in Washington, D.C.
- Scott Robinson, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, chair of AI’s Strategic Planning Committee, presented at the World Association of Valuation Organizations (commonly known as WAVO) Congress, Oct. 23-25, in Gold Coast, Australia, re: “International Property Management Standards.”
Q3 2019 ‘Volunteer of Distinction’ Honorees Named
Congratulations to the AI professionals honored by the Appraisal Institute in third quarter 2019 as a “Volunteer of Distinction:”
- Steven G. Elliott, SRA (Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter);
- Kenneth M. Konrath, MAI (Chicago Chapter); and
- Jack L. Parr, SRA, Candidate for Designation (Great Lakes Chapter).
Any AI professional in good standing may nominate another AI professional in good standing at VOD@appraisalinstitute.org.
Check out the Nomination Form and Program Description for further details.
Other News Around AI
And here’s some other important news from the Appraisal Institute:
- Have you read the latest issues of Valuation magazine and The Appraisal Journal? If not, check out the terrific content!
- The Appraisal Institute continues to grow its social media activities. Be sure to follow AI on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.