An ISA Member in the Far East

Khadinn Khan, ISA AM

I was the Chief Claims Adjuster and Risk Surveyor for AXA ART, the global art insurance specialist, in Asia, when I applied for ISA membership in 2016.

Art insurance is still a developing business in the region, where more collection owners or custodians elect to self-insure rather than taking up specialist coverage. I worked with a small team at AXA ART and was the only member with adequate art knowledge, therefore, I was tasked with the responsibility of verifying and approving the sum insured (on agreed value basis) of artworks proposed by brokers and clients on their insurance policies. People began to approach us with items which they thought were of high worth and wanted to insure, including items purchased many years ago or passed down to the family, and expected us to provide a solution or referral for valuation. These requests were particularly common when I was conducting risk surveys at clients’ homes. After a while, it became apparent that if I could add art appraisal expertise to my skill set, it would help to progress my career.

There are a very low number of professional art appraisers in Asia due to lack of demand. In Hong Kong, we have a low tax rate and a simple tax system that provides no tax relief for charitable donations, except for cash contributions. Additionally, estate duty has been abolished, so neither estate duty accounts nor clearance papers need to be filed. With no governmental requirements for appraisal, there is simply limited demand to support professional appraisal businesses. At the same time, China and Hong Kong have emerged dramatically as an art market and are now considered the world’s second largest, according to The Art Market 2018 report published by Art Basel and UBS. The lack of professional art appraisal service is hindering the growth of other financial services, such as art insurance and art-backed loans.

There is clearly enormous potential for appraisers in Asia, but what convinced me to obtain a formal education in art appraisal was my personal involvement in a unique damage claim.

Hong Kong Harborfront © Art Basel 

An auction house client reported a claim for damage to a Song dynasty ceramic vase that was on consignment to them. The damage was a hairline crack to the edge of the base. In these situations, restoration may not be the best option, as the market preference is to avoid alteration on minor damage. We agreed with the client and consignor to settle on a diminution of value basis. As there was no qualified appraiser available to take up the assignment, and because of an urgency to settle the claim, all parties agreed to a proposal of having two antique dealers inspect the damaged vase. Each dealer would separately suggest the percentage loss in value, then we would use the mean as the basis of settlement. In the end, both dealers came up with the exact same extreme percentage, which took everyone by surprise. They did not provide any reasoning or justification of their valuation, and were not obligated to. We had no option but to settle the claim accordingly. This experience motivated me to source an independent, transparent appraisal process for future claims in order to leave no party confused or suspicious. My research subsequently led me to ISA.

Attending ISA courses in Naperville turned out to be one of the best decisions I made for my career. First of all, it was achievable. I was able to start from scratch and complete the Core Course, the 15 Hour USPAP course and Fine Art course in three weeks. The courses were well structured, with visits to art museums and a printmaking studio. The classroom discussions were particularly lively and often based on real-life examples shared by fellow colleagues encountered in their daily businesses.

Coming home with my new credential, I was determined to spread the word and do what was necessary to promote good appraisal practices with the goal of raising overall personal property appraisal standards in the region. Using knowledge I gained through my ISA education, I was able to educate industry professionals and art collectors. I informed bankers and insurance professionals on what USPAP is and asked them to consider USPAP-compliant reports only for their insurance policies or lending out loans. For art collectors, I promote periodic appraisal as part of a good collection management program, together with a robust inventory system, maintaining good documentation of provenance and purchase records, a secure display/storage environment, and adequate insurance coverage. My message is that an appraisal report is essential for accounting and estate planning purposes, or if one wishes to secure loans using their art collection as collateral.

Lecture at Art Taipei Forum 2017

My ISA education helped me a great deal in improving communication with our claimants. Although I would not perform appraisal on damage claims that I directly handle, I could use my knowledge to guide loss adjusters to look for the correct data and comparables, seek opinions from the right experts to determine the settlement offer amount, as well as make sure their communication with the client is clear and appropriate. I demand that the loss adjusters demonstrate clearly how they arrive at the settlement offer. There are always brokers or clients who are dissatisfied with the offers, yet there has never been any complaint on the communication or lack of transparency since. Also, we’ve seen a significant drop in claim disputes for my department and my company was able to highlight our claims service as a selling point for our insurance products. I’ve also noticed in places where there is no local law governing personal property appraisal, highlighting USPAP and the ISA Code of Ethics always provide confidence to clients in knowing that the appraisals are being conducted in a responsible manner.

I would advise fellow appraisers living outside of the USA to try to attend courses on site or attend the ISA annual conference, Assets. One can feel isolated sometimes due to having few peers in the market, and for our profession, it is important to build a network of experts of different backgrounds and knowledge. Attending ISA courses or the Annual Conference is a great way to tap into the vast experience of fellow appraisers, and from my experience, they are always happy to share.

- Khadinn Khann, ISA AM, is an appraiser based on Hong Kong and has been a member of ISA since 2016. To learn more about ISA membership, visit the ISA website.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Becoming an Appraiser (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Jillian Van Volkenburgh

I must preface, I am not an appraiser… yet. I just completed Module 16 of the Online ISA Core Course in Appraisal Studies. I am officially past the halfway point!

Are you thinking about becoming a personal property appraiser? That was me a few months ago – I’m relocating to the East Coast and wanted to begin a career I could take with me. I would like to share my recent entrée into this new chapter of my life with ISA.

Education is an Investment 

I am currently the Director of Education for a large art nonprofit in Northwest Indiana. I am often asked to speak to students about creative careers. The one thing that I stress is that education, regardless of your area of study, is an investment. To invest in your “future you,” you also must invest two incredibly valuable things: time and money. (I know I am not an appraiser yet, so this is not a formal valuation on time or money).

When I made my first steps into researching ISA, I called their headquarters in Chicago. I wanted to know two things: how long the course would be and how much it would cost.

As I mentioned, I work for a nonprofit, so cost was a determining factor for me. And as an adult with full-time adult responsibilities, making a new commitment can be harrowing. Luckily, I found that ISA’s courses and education materials are not unreasonably priced, and that the time I have to complete the coursework is absolutely manageable. But I was definitely nervous about that time commitment before I started!

Those That Appraise Together, Stay Together: Commitment 

Two of the best decisions my husband and I made jointly were getting gym memberships and joining ISA. You thought I was going to say getting married, right? As I alluded to in the previous paragraph, commitment, eh… scares me a little bit. Well, he convinced the girl who vowed never to marry, well, to marry. That was the very best decision that I reluctantly agreed to - now we are on this journey of life, love and appraising together! And I’m glad I have committed to ISA as well.

Joining ISA as a team has many advantages. My husband and I have different strengths and areas of interest. We can discuss the coursework and bounce ideas back and forth. We have ultimately become study buddies. (Yes, I just typed that and he will be mortified for calling him that.) We can challenge each other and celebrate our successes. It even has upped our texting game beyond “Want to get dinner after work?” or “Did you feed the cat?” to “I passed my assignment!”

One important thing to remember, even though I just spent two paragraphs explaining the benefits of joining ISA with my spouse… 

You May Be Unattached, But You Are Not Alone

Even if you haven’t joined ISA with your spouse, that does not mean that you will be alone in your journey toward becoming a professional personal property appraiser. One of the many amazing benefits of joining ISA is that they are setting you up for success. Failure is not their goal. Unlike a certain sadistic college professor that we all have had, they don’t want you to fail. ISA has a number of resources put in place to ensure that you succeed.

First of all, for the online course, you work directly with an instructor via email. The instructor is there not only to evaluate your assessments, but also to answer any questions. Also, you can work with an ISA Ambassador when you first join. Ambassadors are seasoned ISA appraiser that will offer guidance for the year following your completion of the Core Course. There is also a great toolkit - the ISA Means Business! Toolbox - on the ISA website with valuable resources on how to build your business.

As we all know, the Internet is also a social network. Take advantage of it. One site that I have found useful is LinkedIn. I already used LinkedIn for my professional position, but I have extended my network to include ISA appraisers throughout the country. I sent out short messages saying, “Hey, I just wanted to introduce myself. I am becoming an appraiser through the ISA and I wanted to connect with you.” This has opened up dialogue with a number of appraisers who have specialty areas outside of my purview, so they could potentially become great resources in the future.

I Am a Student Again at 40

They say a lady never tells her age, but I will be ethical and truthful in this blog post. I am a few months shy of my 40th birthday. When I was in undergrad, we did not have the option for online learning. I enjoyed academia and being in the classroom and I was not sure if online coursework was for me. I was wrong. I LOVE IT! With a full professional and social schedule, I can dictate when and where I learn. I might be in the comfort of my office or at my local coffee shop. It is fantastic option.

The online lectures are very straightforward and thorough. The instructor gives great examples to illustrate the discussed topics to make them relatable and easy to understand. As a side note, the online proctor is unintentionally funny. His dry humor comes through ever so slightly and unexpectedly.

Read the Chapters First!

The instructor states that at the beginning of each module, you should read the chapter first and then listen to the online lecture before taking the assessment. For the first module, I was like…. oh, I will just listen to the lecture and take the test. When I reached the point to take the assessment, it took me three attempts!

No matter how confident of a person you are, when you see "Failed" in red on your screen, you squirm a bit. Reading the chapters prior to the assessments is critical because the online lectures may not cover everything in the chapter. Always take your instructor’s advice!

A Highlighter is Your Friend 

One study tip I might suggest is making a review packet. Most chapters have a page of review at the end. I made copies of each review sheet and then compiled a quick study packet. Spoiler alert! There is no review for one of the longest chapters in the Core Course Manual, Chapter 12. So l recommend taking notes as you go along and highlight key points through the entirety of the manual.

Find Some “Me Time” 

I recently read a study on the brain and memory retention in Forbes about how multitasking can cause diminished long-term memory and decrease productivity. Even though society commands your attention in every direction with 24-hour ticker tapes on the screen and constant weather/coupon/news updates on your phones, we have to relearn to focus.

Make time to study, especially when you are doing distance learning or the online course. You should set aside time that works around your child/dog/work/Roomba chasing schedule. Give yourself quiet time to absorb the information. Listen, take notes and find a study pattern that works best for you.

Wish Me Luck!

This is is my first of hopefully many blog posts of my adventures in the world of personal property appraising for the ISA website. I will now minimize this screen and begin Module 17. Wish me luck! To be continued…

 - Jillian Van Volkenburgh

Jillian Van Volkenburgh is an aspiring ISA appraiser, currently enrolled in ISA's Core Course in Appraisal Studies. The ISA Core Course is the “original” complete appraisal methodology course for personal property appraising. Its thorough scope includes appraisal objectives, intended uses, market identification and analysis, research methods and skills, ethics and professional conduct, and a detailed presentation of report formats and checklists. Students enrolled in ISA’s Online Core Course program use the same text materials as the onsite course offerings coupled with a series of interactive learning exercises and open book quizzes that must be completed as the course progresses. Learn more about the Online Core Course, our Onsite Core Course, and about becoming an ISA member.

Appraisers Qualification Board Update

Todd W. Sigety, ISA CAPP
ISA TAFAC Representative

Based on updated criteria established by the Appraisal Foundation's Appraisals Qualification Board (AQB) and to ensure that ISA remains the leader in personal property education, ISA will be updating its membership education and experience requirements effective January 1, 2018.

These new requirements were created in response to increased demand and standards for professional appraisers. With these updates, potential clients will be certain that the ISA appraiser they're working with is credible, trustworthy and up-to-date on all appraising standards.

Read on for more details on how the updated criteria will affect the requirements for different levels of ISA membership.

ISA AM and ISA CAPP

If you currently have ISA’s Accredited Member (AM) or Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (CAPP) designation, you are already in compliance with the 2018 AQB requirements. You will also be considered a “qualified appraiser” under the AQB criteria. You will need to continue taking the 7-hour USPAP update every two years, as well as documenting your continuing education hours during requalification.

ISA Member

If you currently have ISA’s Member designation you will need to continue taking the 7-hour USPAP update every two years, as well as documenting your continuing education hours during requalification. You are encouraged to continue along ISA’s education pathway to achieve your Accredited Member (AM) designation in order to be fully compliant with the 2018 criteria.

If you do not advance to the AM level, you will still be required to complete ISA’s Requalification requirements every five years. At the ISA Member level, you are not considered an AQB Qualified Appraiser until you fulfill the requirements for the ISA Accredited Member (AM) designation.

If you earn your ISA Member designation after January 1, 2018, then you will be required to abide by the updated criteria. In addition to meeting ISA’s existing membership requirements, the following new requirements will be in effect:

1. You will have three years to advance to the ISA Accredited Member (AM) level. If you have not earned your AM designation after three years, you will revert back to the Candidate level of membership.
2. In order to advance to the Accredited Member (AM) level, you will need to complete 30 semester hours from an accredited college, junior college, community college, or university.

ISA’s education and experience criteria have been developed to encompass and include all of the AQB requirements. The new criteria will make your designations more credible and trustworthy to potential clients and users of appraisals.

Read more about ISA membership level requirements

Read the full AQB Personal Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria

- Todd W. Sigety, ISA CAPP
ISA TAFAC Representative

How Do I Market My Appraising Business?

You’re an appraiser – you can spot a fake Picasso, tell the difference between Ming dynasty porcelain and Qing dynasty porcelain and recite the USPAP manual front to back. But do you know how to attract new customers to your business? With changes like the explosive popularity of social media and the addition of new millennial collectors to the market, growing your appraising business looks a lot different than it did even five or ten years ago.

To keep you up to date, here are a few tips and resources, and even a tutorial video, that will help you show off your ISA credentials and connect you with more clients.

Step 1: Attract More Customer Leads with a Compelling Appraiser Profile

When looking for an appraiser, the first thing many of your potential customers will do is search online. In fact, the Find an ISA Member search tool gets over 2500 page visits per month. What are visitors seeing when they come across your profile? The best way to get noticed is to make sure your profile is updated with all your most recent information.

To update your profile, simply log in to the ISA website and click “Manage Your Profile.” Add a picture, bio and your specialties to make your profile stand out. Don’t forget to add your location so customers near you can find you easily!

An example of a great profile in the Find an ISA Member search tool

For more detailed instructions on updating your profile on the ISA website, read our blog post with screenshots and more.

Step 2: Get Reading! Take Advantage of Free Marketing Guides

If you’re a member of ISA, you have access to the ISA Means Business Toolbox, which is a set of resources designed to give you all the information you need to connect with customers and market your business.

• Don’t have a big budget? Check out this post for ideas that will bring you new leads but won’t break the bank.
• Lost in the world of digital apps and platforms? Here is a helpful guide to the best apps for starting and managing your business.
• Starting from scratch? We have a guide to starting and marketing your new appraising business from the ground up here.

Step 3: Download Pre-made, Customizable Resources

To save you time, ISA has put together a number of downloadable resources that will help you get your marketing campaigns up and running within minutes. It’s as easy as clicking the download button and customizing as necessary.

• Show off your credentials with ISA member logos, perfect for your website and social media
• Create a professional advertising campaign with ready-made artwork with space for your logo and bio.
• Let the public know why it’s important to choose an educated and certified appraiser with a brochure complete with your logo and business information.
• Give a professional presentation on personal property appraising with a ready-made PowerPoint.

Step 4: Connect with Other Appraisers

Join us at one of our educational events, follow ISA on Facebook and Twitter, and get involved with the ISA Ambassador Program.

One of ISA’s best resources is its membership and collegial atmosphere, with many people ready to share what they know about appraising and marketing with you.

Need More Help? Watch our Marketing Resource Tutorial

We’ve put together a short video tutorial that gives you a tour of each of the benefits included in the ISA Means Business Toolbox, from downloading assets for your site to customizing your brochure. 

ISA’s goal is to ensure that each of its members has the tools they need to bring in customers and display their knowledge of appraising. We always have more tools on the way, so keep an eye on the ISA Now blog and the Toolbox for future updates. If you have a specific business need that ISA can help with, feel free to email us at info@isa-appraisers.org.

New to the ISA

The ISA is proud to introduce the following individuals to the ISA. Please join us in publicly welcoming them to the Society!

Elizabeth Anastos Winnetka, IL	Meridith Baer Los Angeles, CA
Catherine Bassett Midland, TX	Paula Cagigal Edmond, OK
Jeffrey Chandler North Port, FL	Laura Cole Naperville, IL
Kimberly Daylor Houston, TX	Vincent Dillon Indianapolis, IN
Candace Drexelius Louisville, KY	Steven Gilman Arlington Heights, IL
Beth Hancock Lady's Island, SC	Travis Havelka Wheaton, IL
Catherine Hovey Dripping Springs, TX	Chenying (Molly) Huang Falls Church, VA
Ann Helene Iversen Princeton, NJ	Jo-Ann Kane, ISA Montreal, QC
Khadinn Khan Hong Kong	Katherine Klein Rocklin, CA
Angie Longpré Thornhill, ON	Emanuel Nash, III Jacksonville, FL
Suzanne Pringle Winnipeg, MB	Marcey Ramos Hermitage, TN
Glenn Rand Mason, MI	Jason Rzepniewski Pflugerville, TX
Mitch Schmer Crystal Lake, DR	Sneha Shah Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Gene Shapiro, ISA AM New York, NY	Shanna Shelby Denver, CO
Claire Shields Raleigh, NC	Ann Smith Fredericksburg, VA
Elizabeth Taylor Columbus, OH	Heidi Vaughan Houston, TX
Valerie Voinis Houston, TX	Edward White Bartlesville, OK
Cathy Wright Albuquerque, NM

We Asked the Instructors

No matter where you are in your ISA career, there are courses to help you reach and maintain your credentialing goals.

The pathway is easy to follow, with many courses being offered onsite, online or by distance education. These ISA courses are taught by successful members who are excited to share their wisdom with you, regardless of your history with the organization. Whether you’re a new member or a veteran, we’re confident that there’s something in the lineup for you.

Luckily for us, the sharing doesn’t end when the instructors leave the classroom! This blog post explores some of the top tips, favorite courses and highlights of ISA membership for our instructors. Take a look at their answers, get to know our instructors better, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself inspired to sign-up for one of our upcoming courses this fall.

Why do you enjoy teaching for ISA?

Valerie Hale

"Early in my ISA education, I was supported by generous teachers and was awarded Foundation for Appraisal Education scholarships. It is an honor to pay it forward. Teaching inspires me to grow and expand my own knowledge." - Valerie Hale, Antiques and Residential Contents

"Students are always interested, ask good questions and have good senses of humor. It's stimulating for a teacher to have an active audience." - Ellen Amirkhan, Oriental Rugs

What benefit can a student expect from your course?

Daphne Rosenzweig, ISA CAPP

"Students learn about major aspects of Asian cultural, religious, technical, historical and period styles affecting appraisals of Asian Art. They will be able to appreciate some of the important marks, why the "feel" of objects is important, what is potentially important provenance information, how the presence of standard accompanying objects alters valuations and so much more." - Daphne Rosenzweig, ISA CAPP, Asian Art: Japanese Prints and Asian Paintings and Screens


What do you like best about the course you teach?

Kirsten Rabe Smolensky, ISA CAPP

"I love teaching methodology because it is at the heart of what every ISA appraiser does, regardless of their area of specialization. It is what ties us all together." - Kirsten Rabe Smolensky, ISA CAPP, Core Course and Requalification

Leon Castner, ISA CAPP

"Watching the 'light go off' in student's minds, i.e. they understand. I also love the interaction within the class, student's stories, and sharing tips I've learned that will make their professional journey easier." - Leon Castner, ISA CAPP, Core Course, USPAP and Requalification

What piece of advice would you like to give your students?

Susan Lahey, ISA AM

"Handle as many pieces of Asian Art as possible at auction previews. There is no substitute for the experience gained this way. Touch is often as important as sight when evaluating art. (This is great advice no matter what you're learning about.)" - Susan Lahey, ISA AM, Asian Art: Asian Ceramics

Mickey Logan, ISA CAPP

"Network with other appraisers through contacts you develop at conferences, classes and through the ISA forum. Recognize that you will never know everything and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be kind and tactful to your clients, especially to those to whom you have to deliver not so good news. Above all, be honest in all your dealings. Remember, your reputation is all you've got." - Mickey Logan, ISA CAPP, Core Course and Antiques and Residential Contents

What do you like about being an ISA member?

Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP

"I love ISA for the breadth and depth of knowledge available from a variety of educational platforms, as well as my fellow appraisers who are extraordinary at what they do." - Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP, Fine Art and Modernism: Prints, Photographs and Multiples

What was your favorite ISA course that you've taken?

Cathy Peters, ISA CAPP

"I really don't have a favorite. I've learned from them all. I think in another life, I was a perpetual student." - Cathy Peters, ISA CAPP, Fine Art and USPAP

Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP

"Of course I’m partial to ARC but the course I’ve learned the most from is the Requalification course. I learn so much from the other students. You’re never too old or wise to make your reports better, even if you’ve been appraising a long time." - Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP, Antiques and Residential Contents


Don’t hesitate to contact the instructors and ask them your own questions. Almost everyone made the comment that there are no bad questions...sounds like an invitation to reach out to them!

For more information on these and other offerings from ISA, please visit our Education webpage.

What's New in ISA Education?

As we near Assets 2016, and its many offerings for networking and education, it's important to once again ask yourself: Where am I currently on the ISA Credentialing Pathway?

Open to members and nonmembers alike, ISA's professional development and certification courses come in an array of course formats—on-site sessions, the Online Learning Center, webinars, and Distance Education—all of which are designed to make advancing your industry-related knowledge as easy as possible. Whether you’re just beginning your credentialing process in personal property appraising or you simply need a refresher, the Credentialing Pathway offers a wide variety of professional development and certification courses throughout the year.

What’s new in 2016 ISA education?

• More courses for advanced education, including:
• Modernism: Prints, Photographs, and Multiples
• Modernism: Design, Furniture, and Decorative Arts
• Asian Art III: Foundation Course in Asian Ceramics for Appraisers
• Fine Art & ARC Courses now offered in Canada
• More course locations: Montreal, Toronto and San Francisco
• An easy-to-follow guide on how to go from Candidate to Certified ISA Member

Below is our upcoming courses over the next few months. View the full 2016 course offering on the ISA website.

Montreal

May 9–15
Core Course in Appraisal Studies
Instructors: Kathryn Minard, ISA CAPP, and Leon Castner, ISA CAPP
Montreal, Québec

May 16–17
15 Hour Personal Property USPAP Course
Instructor: Leon Castner, ISA CAPP
Montreal, Québec

May 30–June 5
Appraisal of Fine Art Course
Instructors: Kathryn Minard, ISA CAPP, and Richard Casagrande, ISA CAPP
Arts and Letters Club, Toronto

Jun 6–12

Toronto

Antiques and Residential Contents Course
Instructor: Mickey Logan, ISA CAPP
Arts and Letters Club, Toronto

Jun 13–15
Modernism: Prints, Photographs, and Multiples
Instructor: Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP
Naperville, Ill.

Jun 15–17
Modernism: Design, Furniture, and Decorative Arts
Instructor: Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP
Naperville, Ill.

With Assets 2016 on the horizon, we encourage you to seek out educational opportunities, share information and resources with your industry peers and fellow Assets attendees, and continue down that ever-rewarding Credentialing Pathway.

What Happened to Multiple CAPP Designations?

ISA members are invited to send in their questions on all things appraising and education to Leon Castner, ISA CAPP. Leon will share his answers on the ISA Now Blog. Please send questions to leoncastner@comcast.net.
 

Question: What happened to multiple CAPP designations?

Answer: The CAPP designation awarded by ISA is the highest level of membership within our organization. It has been earned through education, experience, and testing. All CAPP members have either come through the “ranks” or levels of membership (full member and Accredited Member) or bridged to ISA through another appraisal organization (there are specific requirements for those candidates). The designation is no longer awarded in a specific category.

The Accredited Member (AM) status is achieved by taking a specialty class or proving expertise (Advanced Studies Committee) and by taking an exam and providing a replacement cost report in their declared field. This does not limit the member from appraising in other fields, nor does it require additional AM designations to do so.

The CAPP level is awarded based on experience, professional development credits, passing a general methodology and principle exam, and by submitting a broad evidence report to be graded by their peers. (We ask the report be done in the area they received their AM.) The designation signifies a certified appraiser of personal property, but does not designate the specialty area.

In the “old days,” a CAPP would be awarded in a specialty or product knowledge. CAPPs were awarded in Appreciable Residential Contents, Depreciable Residential Contents, Fine Art, Gems & Jewelry, or through Specialty Studies (a SCAPP [Specialty CAPP] in silver, historical documents, etc.) One would endeavor to gather CAPPs in every area they wished to add to their arsenal. The CAPP designation would be followed by the wording, “in the area of…” This made the process extremely onerous and difficult to maintain or manage. (Imagine trying to keep up multiple CAPPs through requalification for each one.) It also made the process impossible for the accrediting organization (ISA). Every desired specialty would need an approved course and exam before announcing competence in a specific area.

The change to the present system was not a recent one. The CAPP is no longer awarded in a specialty. One does not have to achieve multiple CAPPs to appraise in different categories. The appraiser must be competent and work competently in every assignment (USPAP Competence Rule). Just because one has a CAPP does not make him or her competent for every assignment, however. Each task must be judged on its own merits, as must the appraiser’s qualifications.

Advertising one’s credentials must be accurate and true. A curriculum vitae should include all applicable qualifications for a specific assignment. Just being a CAPP may not be sufficient.

Becoming an ISA CAPP is an Attainable and Worthwhile Goal

Steve Roach, JD, ISA CAPP
with Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg,
ISA CAPP, President

By Steve Roach, JD, ISA CAPP

Over the past few years in my appraisal practice, an increasing number of potential clients have asked if I’m certified. I’d explain that simply being a member of the International Society of Appraisers requires substantial coursework in appraising combined with practical experience in the objects being appraised, but the pesky question of being a “certified appraiser” kept coming up.

ISA’s Certified Appraiser of Personal Property – CAPP – is the highest level of membership in the organization, and applicants must prove competence by passing an exam, documenting 500 hours of appraisal experience and submitting an appraisal report or reports for peer review.

Even though my ISA AM status seemed sufficient for the needs of the individual projects, more gatekeepers are being told that they need to work with “certified appraisers.” In 2012, I started on the path to ISA CAPP with excitement and enthusiasm to spare. Then, life got in the way and I stalled because – as I’m sure many of you can relate – it was a challenge to expend time and resources towards something that didn’t have an immediate payoff.

Yet, each year at conference, when I’d see new CAPPs named at the awards luncheon, I’d think, I’ll start back up when I get home. It wasn’t until the Spring 2014 Board of Directors meeting that I saw my name on a list of uncompleted CAPPs. At that point I decided it was now or never and I started to study for my CAPP exam. For an added bit of accountability, I told fellow board member Karen Rabe, ISA CAPP, that I’d be a CAPP by the Assets 2015 conference.  Karen also leads ISA’s mentorship program, in case you need additional motivation to continue on ISA’s credentialing pathway.

The CAPP exam took the better part of an afternoon and, although it was challenging, it was a useful experience in that it forced me to refresh my knowledge on concepts that I didn’t use frequently in my appraisal practice, which focuses on rare coins and fine art.

Next came the submission of reports for peer review. That too was challenging, but thanks to the careful review of the three appraisers who donated their time and efforts to review my CAPP submissions – and the encouragement of Designation and Review chairperson Lorrie Semler, ISA CAPP – I made it through the process relatively unscathed and with a far better understanding of what makes a report excellent than when I entered the process.

The ISA CAPP process is not easy, but it is a meaningful activity that will test your knowledge of appraising. Especially as one progresses in a career, it’s harder to achieve tangible milestones. The ISA CAPP is a designation that is an attainable goal for an appraiser, and one that is certainly worthwhile to go for. 

Steve Roach, JD, ISA CAPP
Roach.Steve@gmail.com
www.steveroachonline.com

Where are YOU on the ISA Credentialing Pathway?

As we come to the end of our first day of ISA's premier educational event of the year, Assets 2015, it’s important to ask yourself: Where am I on the ISA Credential Pathway?

Open to members and nonmembers, ISA's professional development and certification courses come in an array of course formats that make it easy to advance your industry-related learning. On-site courses afford you the opportunity to receive instruction while collaborating with peers in group activities. The Online Learning Center provides members unable to travel with real-time online presentations and a self-paced Core Course option, while Distance Education allows you to complete coursework via email. And last but certainly not least, our incredibly convenient webinars give users access to a rich archive of recorded sessions (some of which are free!).

So whether you're starting the credentialing process (Stage 1) with the Core Course in Appraisal Studies and the 15-Hour USPAP Course; building your credentials (Stage 2) with more specific areas of expertise; maintaining your status (Stage 3) through requalification courses; or advancing your knowledge (Stage 4) in your area of focus, ISA education allows you to take part in courses led by some of the most accomplished, knowledgeable professionals in the appraisal industry.

Here are our upcoming courses in June. View the full 2015 course offering on the ISA website.

June 1–7
Core Course in Appraisal Studies
Instructors: Leon Castner, ISA CAPP & Kathryn Minard, ISA CAPP
Arts and Letters Club of Toronto

June 9–10
15 Hour Personal Property USPAP Course
Instructor: Leon Castner, ISA CAPP
Arts and Letters Club of Toronto

June 15–17
Asian Art I: Appraisal of Japanese Prints
Instructor: Daphne Rosenzweig, PhD, ISA CAPP
NIU – Naperville Campus in Naperville, IL

June 18–20
Asian Art III: Foundation Course in Asian Ceramics for Appraisers
Instructor: Susan Lahey, ISA
NIU – Naperville Campus in Naperville, IL

As we head into Assets 2015, we encourage you to seek out educational opportunities, share information and resources with your industry peers and fellow Assets attendees, and continue down that ever-rewarding Credentialing Pathway.

An Insider's Perspective and Guide for the CAPP Program

Now is a great time to begin your application for certification.  It is especially important in light of the new qualification standards that are being developed by the Appraisal Foundation.   I know that many appraisers are reticent about submitting their appraisals for certification review.   As appraisers sometimes we are uncertain about our own appraisal work because we haven’t had the chance to see appraisals that have been completed by our fellow appraisers.    If you follow USPAP and use the manual to prepare your reports for certification, there is no need to fear the appraisal certification process.  You can be assured that we are all following the same procedures and using the same process to come up with our valuations.

At ISA we try to make the process as straight forward as possible.  After you contact Michelle at headquarters you will be sent a packet with all the information you need to prepare your appraisal reports.  You are required to send in two types of appraisals, one Self Contained Donation Appraisal consisting of five items in your specialty (one of those items must have a value over $5,000) and one Insurance Appraisal that contains two of the items that you used in your Donation Appraisal.

After the appraisals are submitted, they are reviewed by three CAPP Appraisers on the Designation and Review Committee.  The appraisals are sent to the review committee with an identification number instead of your name in order to keep your identity confidential.  The appraisals are reviewed by each of the three reviewers and then they are returned to me so that I can summarize the comments before sending them back to you.  If the appraisal follows the checklist required for all appraisal reports and the comparables and the value conclusions make sense, then I get to congratulate you on your certification.  If there are some areas that have to be addressed then we talk about those areas so that you can correct them and submit the appraisals again.  Once you have corrected those areas and resubmitted the appraisals that should complete the certification process.  From beginning to end it should take no more than two to three months to complete your certification.   In a relatively short period of time you will be able to refer to yourself as a certified appraiser with ISA.

Now that I have explained the process, I would like to give you a few tips on how to submit your reports.  We are all creative people and every report that we write reflects some of our personality.   However, when you are submitting appraisals for certification it is best to keep it simple.  We also recommend that you pick appraisal items that you are familiar with and that you see every day in your appraisal practice. The manual provides an example or format outlining the elements of a correctly prepared appraisal.   If you follow the example in the manual it will make it easy for you and the reviewer to identify all the items necessary for a correctly prepared appraisal.   Each report should include the cover document, body and addenda.

The reviewers are looking at three specific areas when they are reviewing your appraisals.  They want you to be able to identify and describe the item correctly.  They want you to be able to choose the appropriate comparables; that is comparables that relate to what you are evaluating.  Lastly, they want you to be able to explain why you used those comparables to determine the value of the item and how those comparables relate to the final value conclusions.   If you can include all of this information in your appraisal then the certification process should be quick and smooth.  

My last recommendation is to complete the reports and then put them aside.  Don’t look at them for a few days.  When you pick them up again to review the content it should be fresh so that any errors will jump out from the page.  Proofreading your document is one of the most important things an appraiser can do.  Errors in spelling and punctuation can encourage the client to question your professional capabilities, even if you have identified and valued the item correctly in your appraisal report.

Finally I want all the ISA members to know that the Membership and Designation and Review Committees are here to serve the members of ISA.   We will do everything we can to make this an easy process.  I am always available to answer your questions or provide you with assistance on a submission for certification.  I can be reached by phone at 203-438-9228 or email at kyellen@comcast.net.    Now is a good time to submit your reports.  I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Kathy Yellen, ISA CAPP
Chair Designation and Review Committee

Welcome to ISA

ISA would like to introduce, 26 new membership applicants for this quarter.  Please join us in welcoming these applicants to the Society.


Lydia Abbott – Toronto, ON
Christopher Arbutine – Largo, FL
Anthony Bradfield – Houston, TX
Peggy Calhoun – San Antonio, TX
Belinda Chun – Toronto, ON
Jeremy Crickenberger – Rockport, TX
Donald Cummings – Tulsa, OK
Rochelle Dugan – West Palm Beach, FL
Stephen Frazier – Ashland, OR
Denise Gerson – Coconut Grove, FL
Jane Karotkin – Austin, TX
Michele Kelley – Monmouth Beach, NJ
Brianna McGettigan – Hatboro, PA
Lynette Michel – Mercer Island, WA
Rachel Monckton – Toronto, ON
August Monteleone – Cicero, IL
Paula Necula – Vaterstetten, BY
John Paynter – Winchester, KY
Dena Rigby – Seattle, WA
Kevin Segall – Los Angeles, CA
Catherine Solomon – Austin, TX
Peter Spooner – Duluth, MN
Lauren Stump – Orlando, FL
Michelle (Shel) Trost – McHenry, IL
Roseanne Ullman – Lewis Center, OH
Alicia Weaver – Lakewood, CO

Congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career and welcome to ISA!

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

New ISA CAPP Members

ISA would like to recognize those members of ISA who completed the ISA CAPP Program in 2011 and have now earned their ISA CAPP designation. Please join ISA in congratulating the following ISA members on this extraordinary achievement:

Genae Fields, ISA CAPP – Houston, TX
Susan Fisher, ISA CAPP – Jacksonville, FL
Ron Freeman, ISA CAPP – Phoenix, AZ
Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP – Atlanta, GA
Thomas Helms, ISA CAPP – Phoenix, AZ
Charles McCracken, ISA CAPP – Hilton Head, SC
Michelle Angerman-Soffer, ISA CAPP – Los Angeles, CA
Andrea Thorin, ISA CAPP – Foster City, CA

Congratulations to ISA’s newest CAPP members!

4th Quarter Member Applicants and New ISA CAPPs

ISA is proud to announce our newest ISA CAPP members for the fourth quarter of 2011:

Ron Freeman – Phoenix, AZ
Andrea Thorin – Foster City, CA

Congratulations on all of your hard work and this outstanding achievement!

We are also pleased to introduce our 14 new membership applicants for this quarter.  Please join us in welcoming these applicants to the Society.

Caroline Ashleigh – Birmingham, MI
Valerie Bennet – Chicago, IL
Carolyn Day – Chicago, IL
Leila Dunbar – New York, NY
Miller Gaffney – Columbia, SC
Margaret Gratz – Norristown, PA
Deirdre Hoffer – Vancouver, BC
Mikhail Khandros – Maplewood, NJ
Leonardo F. Rivera Gomez – Bogota, Cundinamarca
Teresa Sarkisian – Oakland, CA
Zelma Sedano – Sardis, MS
Gabrielle Stickley – Cleveland, OH
Mark Woehrle – Hamilton, ON
Judy Youens – Houston, TX

Congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career and welcome to ISA!

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

New ISA CAPP Members and Membership Applicants

ISA would like to announce our newest ISA CAPP members for the third quarter of 2011:

Michelle Angerman Soffer – Los Angeles, CA

Susan Fisher – Jacksonville, FL

Valerie Hale – Atlanta, GA

Congratulations on all of your hard work and this outstanding achievement!

We would also like to introduce our 19 new membership applicants for this quarter.  Please join us in welcoming these applicants to the Society.

Tracy Bernabo – Ashland, VA

David Brandt – Honolulu, HI

Madeline Brophy – Dallas, TX

Randolph Denosowicz - Dallas, TX

Katrina Enros – Toronto, ON

Nigel Harrison – Vancouver, BC

Jessica Heerten – Lincoln, NE

Laurie Johnson – Tuscon, AZ

Christopher Karn – Mission Viejo, CA

Kelly Knoll – Weset Bloomfield, MI

Alison Neumann – Naperville, IL

Jeffrey Pearson – Phoenix, AZ

Amy Piotrowski – Toronto, ON

Stacey Porter – Winnetka, IL

Lynn Roberts – Tucson, AZ

Kristina Ryan – Nashville, TN

John Weeden – Memphis, TN

Lori Weidow – DuBouis, PA

Nichole Wilson – DuBois, PA

Congratulations on taking this important step in furthering your professional career and welcome to ISA!

If you would like to recommend someone for membership, please forward their contact information to Sara Porter: sporter@thesentergroup.com.

The Certification Process is Nothing to Fear

“Be all you can be! Join the army!” We are inundated with this commercial for the U.S. Army at the movie theaters as well as on television. But, have you ever thought that this slogan also applies to ISA?

A certified appraiser is the highest designation that our society gives to an appraiser, denoting the pinnacle of achievement in the appraisal field. In order to earn the right to have “ISA CAPP” after their name, certified appraisers have worked many hours in their chosen profession, have been tested on their knowledge of methodology, and their appraisals have passed peer review. So why do so few of our accredited members actually seek to achieve this level of professionalism?

“I am too busy, or “I don’t need it where I live” are commonly heard reasons for not pursuing certification. It does take time to complete the paperwork, document the hours, ask for references, but not much more time than when putting together the paperwork for requalification.

“I always do poorly on tests” or “I don’t like to be tested” are also common reasons for staying at the accredited level. No one likes to be tested. It is anxiety-producing for everyone and even terrifying for some. As appraisers, we probably know the information that we are tested on because we use it every day. However, ISA’s Requalification Course or the Core Course are good reviews of what we must know and attending one of these classes, can help you overcome your testing anxiety. The purpose of the certification test is not to trick you, but to make sure you know what is necessary. Remember, there are NO trick questions. Review in preparation, then take a deep breath and go for it.

So, you’ve turned in your hours and referrals and passed your test. Now, only the peer reviews of your reports stands between you and your certification. Yikes! “I’m afraid of what others may say about my reports.” Or, “I have been doing this for so long that I know how to write good reports. I don’t need to pass a review.” As appraisers, we should be rightfully proud of our reports because they are the culmination of our research and experience. But, hearing what others have to say is ALWAYS beneficial. We are often too close to our reports, so that although we understand what we are saying, others may not. The peer review process is anomymous and provides an objective, third party perspective on the reports. Reviewers offer helpful suggestions and point out valid errors that will improve the accuracy, readability, and usefulness of the reports. In fact, the comment I hear most often after a candidate receives their CAPP is “Thank you. I’ve learned so much.”

In the past few years, we have seen an increase in demand for professionalism in the practice of personal property appraisal. For example, USPAP will be demanding an increase in general and specialized education. The Internal Revenue Service is requiring a declaration that IRS appraisals contain a statement of qualifications of the appraiser. Certification is ISA’s highest designation. Consumers and peers alike recognize that those who reach that level of achievement are considered at the top of their profession. While the process may be time-consuming and at times frustrating, receiving ISA’s CAPP designation is well-worth the effort. Consider being “all that you can be.”

Cathy Peters ISA CAPP
Chair, Designation and Review Committee