Appraisers' Free Forum

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576

I ask qustions from time to time, as everyone on here is aware, and put in my opinion on appraisal related matters. The forum has the benefit and curse of not having our names on it. It is a curse because, other than a few, no one really knows who is who. Makes taking their responses a risky business.
The benefit is the incognito posting benefits trainees. Lets be blunt. Appraisers are, normally, loners. Bordering on arrogant, opinionated, and not very trusting of most others.
This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Even when wrong, most appraisers will stand by their opinions. When a question is posted, the first thing usually thrown up is competency issue. The next question, sometimes the first, is 'where is your mentor?'
First point: They may be asking because, even though they have an idea, they want some advice from fellow appraisers. It isn't automatically an issue that they don't have a clue. It could simply be, that they don't want to color the answers they get. They want to see what opinion someone else has, without their probable decision being disclosed early on.
Secondly, the trainees that ask questions deserve a little benefit of the doubt. The first thing to remember? They ASKED. If they come in with a chip on their shoulder and act like they know how to appraise the Sears Tower, then by all means, they need to be taken down a peg or two. But if they come in and ask a question, let's not ask 'where's your mentor?' A better question would be, 'what would I tell my trainee?"
Everyone talks about improving the profession. The best way? Help the trainee's out without turing it into a barbeque.
Improving the profession means just that. And if we cannot take a few moments time to answer a legitimate question in a professional and courteous manner, how can we think our profession is going to get better?
Let's make one of the cornerstone of our little cyber niche be that, rather than feasting on the young, we actually try to nurture their development, give them advice with links to verify and support our analysis, if possible.
Because I'll make it easy. We don't do it, then don't whine about the state of the industry. Either be part of the solution, or part of the problem.
_________________
Whoever thinks herding cats is impossible, has never walked with an open can of Tuna.

**Edd Gillespie** · Certified General Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 2282

Ben,

I agree that this forum is an excellent place for some meaningful and necessary mentoring. Let me ask, how much responsibility is to be placed on the newbie? What should the newbie be required to do? Should the newbie be required to obtain competent supervision?

At this point there is a lot of lip service to supervison and little availability. Tell me your spin on the follow through with a newbie. Do we have responsibility there also?
_________________
Edd “In the real estate economy, there are no guarantees that reason will prevail in a market where emotions run high and the amount of misinformation runs deep.” Jonathan Miller in The Matrix. So what’s an appraiser to do?

**Steve Owen** · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Helping the newbies along...

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576

Actually, reading the IRS rules, it is impossible to have a trainee as an independent contractor, since, by the very job description, training is provided.
As for the blunt replies? I didn't mean to insinuate that they should be tucked in and given a pacifier, gentlemen. I merely meant they should be given a little leeway before the typical psychopathic rants take over.
And, if they choose to enter as a sarcastic individual, then toughen their hide up, certainly.
Merely courtesy without all the usual paranoia.
_________________
Whoever thinks herding cats is impossible, has never walked with an open can of Tuna.

**Alisa** · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject:

Good points, Ben! I know I ask questions many times to reaffirm my own opinion, hoping it's correct...as well as to learn the answer to something I don't know.

I always appreciate the answer other than questions about my competancy or at that time, my mentor.

Now if someone would please tell me where the spell checker is I'd be happy.

Wink

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576

DB · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

**Steve Owen** · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

[quote="benluby"]

**Alisa** · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:50 am Post subject:

Geez, good thing I have my thick skin suit on...and I know Ben is making a point!

Steve, please do not give me credit for Ben's words!! I am not so creative.
_________________
http://www.appraiseralisa.com

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576

**Steve Owen** · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject:

Hmmm. I just hit the "quote" button and started typing. I don't know how that happened, Alisa.
_________________
I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices.
- Mark Twain, a Biography

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576

**Otis** · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:35 am Post subject:

Does that mean you want, expect, me to be nice now???????????? AND JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Rolling Eyes

BTW, I think DB said it very welll. Ask a question in a respectful manner instead of telling, I'd be more than willing to bet that you'll see respectful and honest answers. Now go to bed my son (before I tell your mentor). Mr. Green

**Edd Gillespie** · Certified General Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 2282

Well Ben,

I asked you a question and gave you lots of time to answer. So, under my rules, I get to tell you what I think the correct answer is. That is always my rule anyway.

I believe every question deserves a decent response and particularly so when the question comes from someone seeking instruction.

A couple of observations. I have seen posts from newbies who apparently have a chip on their shoulder and are not here to learn, but to tell the rest of use how to make money. Then there are the newbies who desparately need constant supervision since they seem to have gotten so completely in over their heads. There may be other categories and combinations, but those two examples occur to me at the moment.

What is scary is that we have no contorl over these people and they are loose in the profession and on the public. Their continued practice is danfgerous and a detriment to the profession. Until we figure ut a way to keep abs on this bunch, telling them to take a hike or humiliating them may be the best method available to strighten them out.

In short. ALL NEWBIES ARE NOT EQUAL. Your comments run to those newbies who want to learn. Learning does not appear to be a high priority for all. If so, what is our reponsibility?
_________________
Edd “In the real estate economy, there are no guarantees that reason will prevail in a market where emotions run high and the amount of misinformation runs deep.” Jonathan Miller in The Matrix. So what’s an appraiser to do?

**benluby** · Certified Residential Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1576