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This article was published in the Claims Prevention and Procedure
Council newsletter and in the October 1998 issue of the AntiquePrime
Magazine & Journal.
Finding a Qualified Appraiser
Last month we covered what to look for in a qualified appraiser.
This month we'll tackle how to locate one.
There are three major appraisal organizations: the International
Society of Appraisers (ISA); the American Society of Appraisers
(ASA); and the Appraisers Association of America (AAA). While membership
in a professional organization does not insure quality, it serves
to define those who take their occupation seriously. Likewise, if
appraisers have chosen not to join, it doesn't necessarily indicate
a lack of quality in their appraisal reports. It does make it more
difficult to locate them if you aren't in their geographic area.
Let's take a brief look at each of the three appraisal associations.
The International Society of Appraisers is a not-for-profit society
comprised solely of appraisers of personal property. There are three
levels of active membership:
• Associate - an appraiser who has joined ISA but has not
yet completed the Core Courses required for full member status.
• Accredited Member - an appraiser with at least three years
of experience who has taken and successfully completed the Core
Courses offered by ISA. These courses and tests cover the principles
and procedures of appraisal science. Upon successful completion
of these courses, the appraiser earns the right to use the "ISA"
designation after his or her name.
• Certified Member - one who has earned the "Certified
Appraiser of Personal Property" (CAPP) designation by completing
a comprehensive program above and beyond the Accredited Member level,
with emphasis on the legal, ethical, and theoretical aspects of
appraising, as well as the fine points of an appraisal specialty,
and who has submitted representative appraisal reports to peer review.
International
Society of Appraisers (ISA)
16040 Christensen Road #102
Seattle, WA 98188
Toll Free - (888) ISA-5587
Fax - (206) 241-0436
E-Mail - ISAHQ@isa-appraisers.org
Web site - www.isa-appraisers.org
The American Society of Appraisers has members, all of whom are
college educated or the equivalent, who appraise personal property,
or real estate or businesses. The levels of membership for the personal
property appraisers that you are likely to encounter are:
• Candidate - appraisers and persons engaged in the appraisal
profession who wish to become designated members.
• Accredited Member - an appraiser who has passed written
examinations, submitted representative appraisal reports, and undergone
screening of appraisal practice and ethics. Upon completion and
with two to five years of experience, the appraiser earns the right
to use the "AM" designation after his or her name.
• Accredited Senior Member - one who has earned the right
to use the "ASA" designation by fulfilling the requirements
of Accredited Member, and having five or more years of experience.
American
Society of Appraisers (ASA)
555 Herndon Parkway #125
Herndon, VA 20170
Toll Free - (800) ASA-VALU
Fax - (703) 742-8471
E-Mail - asainfo@apo.com
Web site - www.appraisers.org
The Appraisers Association of America
(AAA) is a non-profit society comprised primarily of appraisers
of personal property. There are three levels of active membership:
• Associate - an appraiser with a minimum of 3 years of experience.
• Member - an appraiser with a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Certified Member - an appraiser who has passed a certifying
exam and has earned the right to use the "AAA" designation.
Appraisers
Association of America
60 East 42nd Street, #2505
New York, NY 10165
Phone - (212) 867-9775
Fax - (212) 599-1128
E-Mail - 102212.3542@compuserve.com
Web site - None at this time
There are other professional organizations
for appraisers, but the three above are the most widely recognized
and each will give nationwide referrals if you contact their offices.
Another way to find an appraiser is to check the Yellow Pages under
"appraisers" or "estates". Or search the Internet.
Once you have located an appraiser, ask the right questions to determine
if the appraiser is qualified, and be sure to ask about their level
of membership in their professional organizations.
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