I’m pleased to share that our organization provided critical perspective at a House Financial Services subcommittee hearing last week. Learn more about that, and other timely updates, from the past month.

AI Testifies at House Subcommittee Hearing

I had the opportunity to provide important testimony June 20 to the House Financial Services Committee’s Housing, Community Development and Insurance Subcommittee, commenting on a range of residential appraiser concerns and expressing support for two bills pending before the Committee.

The first bill – H.R. 2852 – would allow licensed appraisers to perform appraisals for Federal Housing Administration loans and would reaffirm verifiable education requirements for FHA appraisers. The second bill – a “discussion draft” from Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Missouri – would give greater flexibility to registry fees assessed by the Appraisal Subcommittee and would require separate disclosure of AMC fees to consumers.

Learn more about AI’s testimony.

Last Chance to Get Lowest Rate for AI’s Annual Conference 

If you’re planning to attend the Appraisal Institute’s 2019 Annual Conference, you have just three more days – until July 1 – to register at the lowest available rate.

The 2019 AI Annual Conference will take place July 22-24 at the downtown Hyatt Regency Denver near the Colorado Convention Center, steps from all the Mile High City has to offer.

Allison Massari – an entrepreneur, celebrated artist and executive coach named on the “Best Keynote Speakers List” by Meetings & Conventions magazine – will be this year’s keynote speaker.

The AI Annual Conference also will feature another terrific general session – “Cannabis & Real Estate” – which will illuminate the impacts legalization and regulation are having on real estate markets.

I hope you’ll join hundreds of your colleagues for informative speakers, a networking event at Coors Field, continuing education (with the chance to earn Appraisal Institute and state continuing education credit), an awards ceremony, a gala dinner (with a band of AI professionals), exhibits of cutting-edge products and services and abundant opportunities to explore Denver.

AI also will host a July 20 golf outing at Fossil Trace, a Denver course designed by renowned architect Jim Engh, where dinosaurs walked where holes 11-15 now sit. Additional info is available when registering for the conference. Only a few openings remain, so sign up today!

Don’t miss out! Learn more about the 2019 AI Annual Conference.

Industry Leadership: AI Contributes at Major Events in June

In keeping with the Appraisal Institute’s commitment to convey its thought leadership to real estate professionals and others, I was joined by Vice President Rodman Schley, MAI, SRA; Immediate Past President Jim Murrett, MAI, SRA; and Chief Executive Officer Jim Amorin, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, at the Appraisal Institute of Canada Annual Conference, June 5-8, in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Additionally, President-Elect Jeff Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS, represented AI on a panel at the International Right of Way Association Education Conference, June 9-12, in Portland, Oregon, re: “Corridor Valuation: An Overview and New Alternatives.” AI also exhibited at this event.

AI’s 2016 President, Scott Robinson, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, presented at the International Valuation Standards Council/World Association of Valuation Organizations Global Valuation Conference, June 13-14, in Frankfurt, Germany, re: “Impact and Opportunity of Technology-Based Valuation.” AI’s 2010 President, Leslie P. Sellers, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, represented the Appraisal Institute at a June 18 meeting of the International Valuation Standards Council’s Advisory Forum Working Group in London.

I also was joined by Jim Amorin at the Institute for Professionals in Taxation Annual Conference, June 23-26, in San Antonio.

Other News Around AI

And here’s some other important news from the Appraisal Institute:

• In collaboration with Freddie Mac, AI has added new offerings around the country of its practical appraisal training for appraisers to address manufactured housing valuation assignments for Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome^SM. See the new offerings of this great initiative.
• Coming soon: the Appraisal Institute will launch a new online association management system, or AMS, this fall. More information about this software, affecting all AI professionals, will be forthcoming.
• AI posted two new videos to its YouTube channel during the past month. The first shares information about the Annual Conference keynote speaker, and the second features Melissa Downing, MAI; Heather Placer, MAI; and Eric Schneider, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, discussing the best parts about their job as appraisers. AI also posted some interesting content to its “Opinions of Value” blog: 4 Advantages of Entering the Valuation Profession; and 4 Timely Landscaping Tips for Homeowners.
• The Appraisal Institute continues to grow its social media activities. Be sure to follow AI on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.