Appraisers' Free Forum

Screen Names Permitted
Many posters don't like the idea of their clients or opposing counsel being able to Google their posts, so they use a screen name instead of their real name.

Appraisal Professionals Only
This section is blocked from view by anyone who is not an appraisal professional so that you can get real-time advice on real appraisal problems without violating confidentiality. If you're a certified or licensed appraiser, you can gain admission to the Appraisal Professionals Only section of this board by sending a PM to one of the Admins containing your real name and city/state in which you practice. We'll verify your credentials on the ASC's website or on your state appraisal board website. There are several more forum sections which will become visible to you. The information you send is available only to the Admins and cannot be seen by ordinary members.

Appraiser Trainees can also be admitted, but you'll need a Certified Appraiser to sponsor you. S/he doesn't have to be a member of the forum, but we have to be able to verify his/her credentials as a certified appraiser.

When we admit you to APO, your status is changed to your appraiser certification level. We do this to prevent a prolific trainee from gaining more credibility than a 20-year-veteran General Appraiser.

Posting Ranks
Most forums have a "rank" assigned to members which is based on the number of times they've posted to the forum. We don't use those here. Instead, we assign your rank based on your professional qualifications. Send one of the Admins a PM telling us what you are (e.g., underwriter, loan officer, appraiser, Real Estate Broker, rehabber) and we'll change your status from "Member" to whatever your profession is.

The Admins
We don't have any moderators here. Instead, there are five Admins: Jim Plante, Goodpasture, Otis, Annemieke, and DB. On the forum, our screen names are shown in bold orange. PM or e-mail any of us if you have any problem to which you want to draw our attention.