The license or certification is evidence the appraiser has performed a certain number of hours as a trainee under the supervision of a practicing appraiser, may have passed an examination, and completes a certain number of hours of continuing education each licensing period.
Prior to the Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s, which gave rise to appraiser licensing, appraisers had to market their expertise, service, professionalism and association designations like the Appraisal Institutes MAI and SRA designations. Many feel that state licensing has diluted the appraisal profession. Many consider a licensed appraiser as having the bare minimum education required to appraise residential property, while certified appraisers have more training and experience. There are Certified Residential Appraisers trained to appraise one-four family dwellings and Certified General Real Estate Appraisers trained to appraise all types of real property. As in most professions Certified General Real Estate Appraisers usually specialize in properties that make up their market area. Some certified general real estate appraisers will appraise high-rise office or apartment buildings while others are more comfortable appraising agricultural, residential, single-tenant office or commercial buildings, light industrial or warehouse property, etc. which are the type of properties we concentrate on.
We have worked hard to establish a reputation for quality work performed professionally and ethically. You should never just look for a certified appraiser; you should be discriminating in choosing your service provider.
You should always be sure your appraisal service provider is certified and in good standing. The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) maintains a national database of appraisers and their license/certification status. Click here to view the database.
Among other things, this database, which relies on reports from each state appraisal board, will tell you if a service provider you are considering has had his or her license suspended, revoked, or whether the license has lapsed. You can rest assured that our license is current and in good standing!