Appraiser Licensing and Certification
Appraising real property can not be called a science due to the numerous subjective analyses requiring the appraiser's experience to classify condition, quality, and the highest and best use of the property.  It's been said, "the only qualification needed to be an appraiser, is the confidence of the client." We want you, the client, to have complete confidence in our analyses.

Licensing and certification varies from state to state. To participate in what is called a "federally-related transaction," which is, for example, a mortgage being underwritten by a national bank, an appraiser must be licensed or certified by his or her state. The license or certification is evidence that the appraiser has performed a certain number of hours as a trainee under the supervision of a practicing appraiser, has passed the state's examination, and completes a certain number of hours of Continuing Education Training.

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.  Many feel that state licensing has diluted the appraisal profession. Many consider licensure a bare minimum of what you should expect from an appraiser.

We have worked hard to establish a reputation for quality work done in a timely fashion, performed professionally and ethically, with outstanding customer service. You should never just look for a licensed appraiser; you should be discriminating in choosing your service providers.  Tour our website for valuable information on the experience we have and the services we provide. For example, the fact that the local governmental agencies utilize an appraiser's services generally indicates that appraiser is one of the best in an area. Local and state governments have additional report and assignment requirements that require their appraisers to have higher education and experience. Your "more qualified" appraiser generally has experience with testimony, which separates the "want-to-be" appraiser from the appraiser that can defend their analysis. We subscribe to the "Yellow Book" requirements, that are minimum appraisal report standards for federal or national assignments.

You should always be sure your appraisal service provider is licensed 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.  It is available publicly at this link.