Appraise This

Freddie Mac recently revised guidelines for Mortgage Lenders - they are emphasizing used of "qualified and experienced" real estate appraisers...  Ya think?  I should hope so...

One of the new suggestions in the revised guidelines is to "consider membership in a professional appraisal organization as a qualification criterion."

In other words, to find the right appraiser you should pick off the membership list of one of the Appraisal Organizations.  Which I think is likely a good plan!  I recently sent my membership application to NAIFA (National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers - http://www.naifa.com/) and hope to be a member soon. 

The Appraisal Institute is a well known and, as I see it, REALLY great group.  I would recommend it - http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/.  As well as the Real Estate Appraiser's Association (REAA-CA - http://www.reaaca.org/sac/).  I have not had the time to look into meetings and membership for these two, but plan to check them out further in the near future.  I have talked with some of the members and heard nothing but good things!

I recommend that all my fellow appraisers look into these groups.  It is important in these times of change that we band together, now more than ever!