This is the time of year where we begin reflecting on what we're grateful for. Moving into the holiday season, this year may look a little different. We asked the appraisal community what they were thankful for, whether it was related to the profession or not. We've put together our favorite submissions from everyone - we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is Appraisal Adaptation and Modernization - An interview with Joan Trice, Founder of Allterra Group, LLC, and George Opelka, ACI General Manager. We sat down with George Opelka to discuss the modernization of the appraisal industry and adaptation that’s still yet to come.

What is the history with certain appraisal software? What are some of the lasting impacts from the pandemic? Where does this leave the future of modernization in the industry? These questions and much more will be answered by George Opelka while he shares on this evolving subject. 

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is Training Appraisers - An interview with Joan Trice, Founder of Allterra Group, LLC, and Brian Ahrens, Owner of Ahrens Co. Appraisal Services. We sat down with Brian Ahrens to discuss his tried and true method for appraiser trainees. 

What stops appraisers from taking on trainees? What happens when your own method to train fails you? Is there a magical method that guarantees great appraisers? These questions and much more will be answered by Brian Ahrens while he shares on this growing subject. 

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Description: The Appraisal Buzz podcast, the Buzzcast, has just shared their tenth episode! The Buzzcast was created for those appraisers that want to keep up to date with our content, but don’t necessarily have the time to sit down and read everything that’s posted. We host interviews with leaders and experts in the appraisal industry, including Joan Trice, Founder of Allterra Group, LLC, Jeff Sherman of Appraisal Institute, and so many more. Get your news on the drive to your next inspection and listen to the Buzzcast!

Our most recent episode featured Joan Trice and Author-Appraiser, Jeremy Bagott. “Jeremy Bagott was a fascinating interview. I’d go so far to say the most articulate on this given topic – appraisal regulations. Who would expect such an animated interview on the driest of topics? His 2020 book has sounded a clarion call – a throw down if you will. He exhorts appraisers to become activists.” Make sure you’re up-to-date with our releases!

Get cutting edge news while driving to your inspections, participate in lively debates, and so much more. Tune in on Apple Music, Radio Public, Lisbyn, Spotify, or wherever else you may listen to your podcasts!

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Jeremy was a fascinating interview. I’d go so far to say the most articulate on this given topic: appraisal regulations. Who would expect such an animated interview on the driest of topics? His 2020 book, “Dispatches from the Cosmic Cobra Breeding Farm,” has sounded a clarion call – a throw down if you will. He exhorts appraisers to become activists.

He asks appraisers to see the Appraisal Foundation, a tiny 501(c)(3) nonprofit, as a Disney-like rights-management operation that has attached itself, along with its growing number of copyrighted products, to an entire profession. The organism then plows back some of its time and money into gaining further influence and further cementing its standing. Read the interview here: https://www.appraisalbuzz.com/author-appraiser-jeremy-bagott-talks-junkets-petitions-and-the-need-for-clawbacks/

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Jeff Sherman is the 2020 President of the Appraisal Institute. Jeff has been a real estate professional for 44 years, including as a broker in Colorado and then in Michigan. His practice concentrates on the eminent domain field with emphasis on litigation review. His firm, Sherman-Andrzejczyk Group, Inc., is comprised of six people, including his son.

Jeff graciously took some time to talk to us about how he got into the business and his vision for the Appraisal Institute. No surprise that Covid-19 has presented some challenges. Listen in to the audio file where Jeff explains his views on the user experience on the Appraisal Institute’s website. Jeff assigned a project team to investigate the best way to upgrade the Find An Appraiser function on the website. It’s critical for Jeff and the management at the Appraisal Institute to ensure members get a the maximum benefit. Jeff touches on the Appraisal Institute’s Professional Development Program which is for both residential and commercial properties. In 2020, they’ve partnered with Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and launched an appraisal portal to access data for properties with Home Energy Rating Scores (HERS).

For those who’d like to get more information on what the Appraisal Institute is working on, subscribe to their YouTube Channel. And, the Appraisal Institute’s has publishing their 15th edition of the Appraisal of Real Estate with substantial updates and revisions. Click here to pick up a searchable PDF copy or the hard copy.

Take a couple of minutes to listen in and see the kind of good work going on behind the scenes in the appraisal industry today.

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is Appraiser Independence - An interview with Joan Trice, Founder of Allterra Group, LLC, and Pat Turner, President at P. E. Turner & Co., Ltd. We sat down with Pat Turner to discuss appraiser independence.

What are comparisons being drawn today to 2005? Where do we go from here? How can we stop the past from repeating? These questions and much more will be answered by Pat Turner while he shares on this evolving subject.

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is The Direction of the Appraisal Industry – An interview with Joan Trice, Founder of Clearbox, and Scott Reuter, Chief Appraiser and Director of Valuation for Freddie Mac. We sat down with Scott Reuter to discuss the future of the appraisal industry. How do GSEs continue to respond to the pandemic? Where do we go from here? These questions and much more will be answered by Scott Reuter while he shares on this evolving subject. To speak with Scott directly in his panel, sign up at buzzforum.net!

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is the Industry Response in the Beginning of COVID-19 with Greg Stephens. The world was put to a halt with COVID-19 and the appraisal industry was no different. What were some firsthand accounts of change within the industry? What is being done for the appraisers? These questions and much more have been answered by Greg Stephens while sharing his expertise from various webinars hosted through his company, Metro West Appraisal Co. Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].

Today’s topic is A Look Into the VA – An interview with James Heaslet and Joan Trice. How would an appraiser apply to be on the VA panel? What is the Tidewater Initiative? How is the VA handling the current pandemic? These questions and much more have been answered by James Heaslet while sharing his expertise on the VA. Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email [email protected].