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.

Submit Your Nominations for ISA Awards

Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP
Awards Committee Chair

Once a year, ISA’s members are asked to help identify those in the organization who have inspired them by an accomplishment or act of service. ISA is a volunteer-run organization with many members who spend hours contributing to the good of the entire membership. There are others who use their gifts to inform the general public about the importance of using professional appraisers through speaking or writing. Recognizing these people is one of my favorite parts of Assets.

I’m sure you can think of members who seem to be especially generous with their time and who certainly deserve thanks. There are some familiar faces who always seem to be involved. To me, it is really exciting when someone is awarded who is either new to the organization or who has been working quietly for a while and has never been recognized.

I challenge all of you to spend a little time thinking of members you know who deserve recognition and to nominate them this year. You can also promote your chapter by nominating it for Chapter of the Year.

Spend a few minutes looking through the award descriptions and see who you know who fits each one, and submit your award nominations through our online form. The deadline for submission is Friday, January 26.

This year, awards will be given in the following categories:

• Lamp of Knowledge - Awarded to one ISA member for a singular outstanding educational work product pertaining to the appraisal profession as a whole or in a specialty area.
• Leadership - Awarded to one ISA member in a leadership position for outstanding service above and beyond what is normally expected.
• Rising Leader - Awarded to one ISA member who is new to a leadership position for outstanding service above and beyond what is normally expected.
• Distinguished Service - Awarded to one ISA member in each of the following four categories: Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts; Fine Art; Gems & Jewelry; and Machinery & Equipment for outstanding achievements or participation in the appraisal profession.
• Chapter of the Year - Up to two awards available: one for chapters in existence more than three years, and one for chapters in existence three years or less.
• Service - Awarded to two outgoing ISA members who have held volunteer leadership positions in either the Board Member or Committee Chair categories.
• ISA Instructor Distinguished Service - Awarded to one instructor for outstanding appraisal instructional achievements in and beyond the physical classroom; positive reviews from current and past students; and for inspiring appraisal methodology excellence within our membership.

It is now easier than ever to make nominations by filling out the short form. You may make more than one nomination but must revisit the form for each. Awards are given based on merit rather than frequency of nomination so please be detailed when you are describing your nominee’s accomplishments.

All of you who do such a great job representing the spirit of ISA and our industry every day deserve a big thank you. Keep up the good work!

Remember to put registering for Assets 2018 in Pasadena on your holiday to-do list, especially before prices increase on January 31. I’ll see you there!

Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP, is chair of the ISA Awards Committee.

The ISA Ambassador Program's First Anniversary

Jan Robbins Durr, ISA CAPP
Membership Retention Chair

As we approach the first anniversary of the Ambassador Program, I would like to thank all our ISA appraiser volunteers who have participated in making it a success. If you remember back to your first years, beginning an appraisal career can seem a daunting task. Wouldn’t we all have been more confident in our business decisions with an experienced person as our sounding board?

The Ambassador program brings strength to our members and organization by:

• Providing connections to our membership
• Supporting our newest members in a tangible, consistent manner
• Forging friendships with like-minded colleagues in multiple disciplines

Our Ambassadors are AMs and CAPPs assigned to all new members. The Membership Retention Committee provides a short manual for reference to guide the Ambassador through our member benefits, membership levels, ISA Means Business! Toolbox, and maneuvering the ISA website. Ambassadors refer all educational questions to the Director of Education, Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP, at directorofeducation@isa-appraisers.org.

Please consider volunteering in 2018 as one of your New Year’s Resolutions! We are an organization that prides ourselves on our strong networking. Attending Assets is proof of the camaraderie that develops when we share our knowledge and passion for this career. Contact ISA's Senior Account Coordinator Michelle VanAlstyne at mvanalstyne@thesentergroup.com to serve as an Ambassador.

"Joining the Ambassador Program has been a life saver. I live in a remote area and the connection and support from Cindy [Charleston-Rosenberg] has been invaluable. Her generosity in sharing her experience and ideas has made me feel more comfortable and confident with my new appraisal aspect of my business. I can't thank her and the ISA enough for this support, and hope that one day I'll have enough knowledge to share with a new appraiser." - Larissa Wild Gould, ISA

- Jan Robbins Durr, ISA CAPP, Membership Retention Chair

In Praise of ISA's Job Board

Christine Guernsey, ISA CAPP

I knew that the ISA Job Board was a great idea, but didn’t realize I would be able to utilize it so quickly. Like many of you, I am the sole proprietor of an appraisal practice. I consider my practice successful, but yet, there are always moments of feast or famine throughout the year.

This year has been unusual for my business in that every large collection and important client I have ever appraised for has come back with another need. If I did insurance for them several years ago, they now need an estate appraisal, they're donating a work of art, or they need another insurance update. As appraisers, no matter how busy you become, you never want to say "no" to a great returning customer and risk losing them in the future.

When a past client and now a trustee called early this March with a need for an estate appraisal for his father’s very large Western art collection (over 300 works), I panicked. In addition to Assets, a planned surgery right after Assets, my youngest daughter’s destination wedding in Charleston, and several other appraisals in the works, I really didn’t have the time to take on this new assignment….but how could I say no?

I decided to try the ISA Job Board and see what kind of help I could get. After posting for temporary research help, I received applications from six candidates. Out of those six, I found three appraisers who were familiar with Western art and working towards ISA accreditation and therefore needed qualifying hours of experience. None of this help came from the Dallas area and all work was completed remotely online. I have a template I use for appraisal report work descriptions with sections for comparables which I sent to each appraiser. They researched 10 works at a time, completed the template and included appropriate comparables for me to review and determine the final fair market value for the report.

With the help I received through the Job Board, I was able to complete the appraisal project under deadline while relieving my workload and stress. I also got to assist three appraisers who needed work experience in the field. For the next large job that comes my way, I plan on using the Job Board again. It is great to finally have qualified help on a temporary contract basis and the process could not have gone more smoothly.

Don’t just take my word for it. Your colleagues have had similar great experiences:

Wendy Gerdau, ISA CAPP, of Treasures Estate Concierge Services, California:

"The ISA Job Board has been a fabulous tool for my company. The researchers that applied for part time jobs have turned into full time valued members of the Treasures Estate Concierge Services family. I am looking forward to hiring many more individuals from the ISA Job Board. There is nothing better than ISA members supporting each other, a win-win." 

Linda Matthews, ISA, of Matthews Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico:

"The job board provided me a great opportunity to be a part of a massive art appraisal project, learn a great deal from a CAPP appraiser, get paid for what I love to do AND add a 130 hours towards my AM pathway. A veteran ISA appraiser posted the job, I replied to the ad and was hired. It was that easy! It was a fast way to find work, make money and most importantly learn from others so I can become a better appraiser. It was my first experience getting appraisal work from the job board posting but it won’t be my last!"

Suzanne Houck, ISA CAPP, Houck Asset Verification, Virginia:

"I wish there had been a job board targeted to the appraisal industry when I began my appraisal practice years ago. I love having the opportunity to scan for job opportunities in slow times and to have confidence when looking for help during times of appraisal overload. Even if I’m not looking to post or pick up work, I have enjoyed reading the job posts because I can often connect good candidates who might not have seen the board yet with positions. When looking for help, just knowing my fellow ISA members are reading the board gives me added confidence that I am targeting appraisers well- trained in appraisal methodology and ethics. This job board might be my favorite member benefit!"

Richard J. Meliska, ISA AM, Essex Estate Services, Evanston, IL:

"The ISA job board is a snap to use and postings couldn't be easier to enter. This is my second time using the board and I am looking forward to posting positions as I need additional help. Not only does the ISA have a great pool of talent, but the networking opportunities to find great talent is wonderful." 

If you are temporarily overwhelmed with assignments you couldn’t say no to or are currently underwhelmed with assignments and want to pick up a few extra hours, check out ISA’s new Job Board. You can advertise for ISA qualified help or promote special services you can provide to other appraisers in need. One of the great features of this online benefit is the ability to sign up for alerts when a new position or request is posted.

This is a great new member benefit exclusively created for our ISA members. I urge you all to try the Job Board. It will help you all to accept more assignments and provide further opportunity to meet and work with other qualified ISA appraisers.

- Christine Guernsey, ISA CAPP

Get Business Know-How from New ISA Toolbox

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Some of us remember when there were EXTRA editions to the newspapers for extremely important newsworthy information.

The big news from ISA is that the ISA Means Business! Toolbox is officially here. We have listened to you, our members, requesting more business practice information. Whether you need direction in the legal, office, or promotional aspect of starting or fine-tuning your appraisal business, it is all addressed in our new Toolbox.

What you’ll find inside:

• New Appraiser Resources, including our Guide to Launching an Appraisal Business and blog post on fantastic mobile apps


• Marketing/Advertising Resources, including tips, member logos, advertising collateral, and much more


• Templates, including a Client Intake form, Client Project Timeline and Research Log (found within the Guide to Launching an Appraisal Business)

Through blog posts, referral links, templates and more, the resources within the Toolbox will aid ISA members in operating efficient, effective businesses—they may be newly established and looking for help starting up, or they might be existing businesses looking to adopt the latest marketing and operational trends. Tips include software and office practice recommendations and solutions to real-life business concerns, including how to deal with competition and reach the gatekeepers.

We desire your feedback and encourage your comments. If you have more suggestions based on what has worked for you, or you would like submit your thoughts on a new app, template or the like, please let us know about it! The Toolbox will not remain stagnant. It will continue to be enhanced, and so will your business.

The ISA Means Business! Toolbox is brought to you by the ISA Membership Retention Committee:

Board Liason: Marian Aubry, ISA CAPP
Committee Chair: Jan Robbins Durr, ISA CAPP
Members: Len de Rohan, Susan Eisen, Robin Braswell, Lottie Stevens, Charles Pharr, Susan Sturdivant, Beth Underhill

ISA Means Business! Part 2: Fantastic Apps for Startups

By Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

So many apps; so little time. And yet, they can be effective tools when it comes to both cutting down on the required time for certain tasks and broadening our efficiency. When trying to determine which ones make sense for your business needs without breaking the bank, one can often feel overwhelmed. (And when you're running a business, how much time do you really have to surf for apps?) A recent survey that utilized the efforts of business startups, PC magazine blogs, CNet and even the Wall Street Journal has come to the rescue. Here are a few apps that they have recommended for those starting their own business.

1. Google. ...Well, actually, if you don't have Google, you should probably go back to sleep. Google is, among many other things, a startup's lifeline. It will take time to learn everything that this app has to offer, but it is well worth the time spent. Google Photos, for example, is as comprehensive as you are likely to ever need while doing practically everything that basic Adobe Photoshop does. True, Photoshop has more bells and whistles, but if you aren't utilizing extensive filters and cartoon captions, Google Photos is a fantastic platform that will help you complete your picture editing without the burden of a heavy price tag. Other offerings from Google include Gmail, Google Drive for storage, Google Docs for shared or community-created files, and Google Analytics to determine your marketing effectiveness. Google is a bargain.

2. Dropbox. This keeps everything—from your files, your photos—in an online "cloud" for safe electronic storage. When your computer decides to crash (and trust me, it will), all you need to do is find another computer, access your Dropbox from there and continue business as usual. Think of it as a life-saver in the cloud... kind-of like a computerized guardian angel. The first 2 Gigabytes of space in the "box" are free, and additional storage space can be purchased for $10 a month. There are other cloud services out there, but Dropbox has been repeatedly cited by business sources as being the easiest option for start-ups. And I think its 500 million users would agree.

3. Money Management Apps. Managing money is a necessary evil, and managing the accompanying paperwork is equally so. Apps like Mint and Wave allow you to scan invoices and receipts, keep track of them instantaneously, and send to third parties when necessary. They categorize your scans, develop spreadsheets and provide reports that help you see where you're headed financially. Mint has a GPS tracker that helps you clock mileage and add it to your expense information. Wave allows you to accept payments right on your phone. And both apps are offered for free.

4. Archival Apps. CamScanner, ShoeBox, and Tiny Scanner (as well as some Google apps) scan receipts, business cards, offer mileage trackers, and digitize and store all of these docs for organizing later. For research projects, or for those times you find an interesting article but won't have time to read it until later, an app that archives your internet for later perusal is a wonderful one to have. Pocket and Orbital Warehouse are two such offerings, both free. Orbital Warehouse, for instance, even allows you to send specific research to dedicated folders.

5. Microsoft Office. Well, it did come with your computer, after all. Like Google, it is worth the time spent to fully explore the many programs that are included in the Microsoft package. There are a wealth of templates on Microsoft Office that can be time savers, as well.

6. LastPass. If memory serves you... and often it doesn't... there is no more welcome app than a password saver. LastPass is a free app that stores and encrypts all your passwords. No more guessing. No more secret questions. No more remembering if it was upper- or lowercase, or which pet really was your favorite. Think of it as a butler for your passwords. LastPass was voted an Editor's Choice by PC Magazine for 2016. And, oh yes, it is also free.

These are just a handful of apps that will streamline your business-related efforts and give you a more efficient professional experience. Got an app you love? Tell us about it in the comments below!

This is the second part of an ongoing series known as ISA Means Business!, a program created by the ISA Membership Retention Committee that focuses on helping members create and maintain businesses that stay up-to-date and thriving. If you haven't yet, make sure to read the first installment of the series.

New ISA Members

The ISA is proud to introduce you to the newest appraisers to obtain a 2016 ISA membership. Please join us in publicly welcoming them to the Society!

William Bales Santa Fe, NM	Janel Bedor-Griffiths Appleton, WI
Keven Belt Montgomery, AL	Jessica Berger Streamwood, IL
Susan Conway Houston, TX	George Cunningham Phoenix, AZ
Linda Dembek Naperville, IL	Sophia du Brul Wilmette, IL
Philip Elia Davie, FL	Robert Farner Liberty Lake, WA
Mary Catherine Godvin Ferndale, MI	Myrna Hayutin Denver, CO
Faith Hensley Odessa, MO	Donita Hood Gwynn Oak, MD
Patrick Houlihan Sedona, AX	Eric Jenior Canton, OH
David Kwiat Encino, CA	Hannah Laws Plano, TX
Karl LeClair Boise, ID	James Mabry Huntsville, AL
Patrick Marlowe San Antonio, TX	Suzanne McKenzie-Hawtrey Santa Barbara, CA
Andria Minicucci Toronto, ON	Adam Muhlig San Antonio, TX
Karen Murray Schwenksville, PA	Rebecca Neat Vancouver, BC
Olga Nodarse Chao Lakeland, FL	Kimberly Permenter Austin, TX
Anna Rodgers Mars, PA	Tamara Stangeby Seattle, WA
Jannie Stoodley Calgary, AB	Jessica Strongin Austin, TX
William Taylor Burlington, IA	Marcy Wall Bella Vista, AR
Jonathan Warren Chattanooga, TN	Yakov Wiessmandl Lakewood, NJ
Tamara White New Port Richey, FL	Lelia Williamson New York, NY
Ethan Yang Houston, TX	Colleen Zapata San Antonio, TX

ISA Means Business!

By Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

Ever wonder what “WWW” really means? It stands for Wow Whata Week – an accurate description of the spectacular ISA Annual Conference in Fort Worth that took place in April, which featured a stellar program chockful of great speakers, timely topics, and networking opportunities that often included wine. Surprises for both ISA members and friends in attendance included a chance to use the research/report writing platform known as Collectrium for free (yes, as in FREE!) – the fact that it incorporates ISA writing standards was certainly an added bonus. It was an exciting gift, to say the least; several appraisers even gave the announcement a standing ovation. Naturally, we were all anxious to try it, even those of us who are normally skeptical of free offers. As industry professionals, we are increasingly reliant on software to help make our businesses more efficient, and with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which platforms are the best to utilize.

In a recent ISA survey, responses showed that ‘business concerns’ was among the top issues that our members would like the organization to address. In the increasingly complex landscape of appraising, aspects like marketing are often bewildering, not to mention expensive. Knowing the best way to operate an appraisal business can leave many scratching their heads. We don’t often have the time or money it takes to hire an outside party to help us wade through those waters. So... where do we begin?

In response to these concerns, the ISA Membership Retention Committee is launching a new feature: ISA Means Business! This program will focus on helping our members operate efficient, effective businesses, whether they are just starting out or making certain that their existing business is up-to-date and thriving. We will begin the launch with blogs, tips and techniques garnered from our member professionals and others; software and office practice recommendations; and entries that address some 'real-life' business concerns, including how to deal with competition and reach the gatekeepers. We are currently at work compiling the ISA Business Start-up Tool Kit, which will assist fledgling and seasoned appraisers alike.

Getting started as an appraiser, opening your first office, deciding on a business strategy, meeting the necessary government requirements, getting the word out, hoping the public will hire you, calming your 'first-timer' jitters – none of this is what you’d call an easy road. It is our hope that ISA Means Business! will at the very least help to ensure that that road is paved.

Happily, one of our most treasured resources as ISA members resides in our very own membership. Years of experience, focused expertise, networking opportunities, mentoring and a host of other ways to connect to each other – these make up the best part of ISA. This new program is not only free, but it is also entirely accessible. You need only ask to be put in contact with someone, and a fellow member will be there to help. And that, friends, is your business tip of the day: Contact Headquarters about getting connected to a mentor.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it. In a recent Forbes article highlighting the best advice ever received by successful business owners, one of the top recommendations for start-ups was… you guessed it…taking advantage of the mentorships available to you.

The International Society of Appraisers and Chubb Announce an Educational Partnership

Holloway and Charleston-Rosenberg

By Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP, and Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP

The collaborative educational partnership between ISA and Chubb has officially launched! The first of an 11-part webinar series on specialty collecting categories has been presented to Chubb's appointed independent agents and brokers. The series, reflecting the depth and diversity of ISA member's expertise, will be presented monthly through the beginning of 2017. Each presentation will conclude with a slide directing to the ISA “Find an Appraiser” search engine, to assist Chubb brokers in finding ISA appraisers in their clients’ geographical region or areas of specialization.

Laura Doyle, North American Collections Management Specialist with Chubb, stated in a press statement released on April 25: “Chubb is thrilled to kick off a collaborative partnership with ISA through the launch of the Chubb Connoisseurship webinar series. The series will highlight the deep expertise of ISA appraisers, providing a network of resources nationally for our agents, brokers, and clients.”

This program is a continuation of the educational collaboration exchange between the two organizations which began in 2015 with Chubb's presentation, "Changing Demographics in Collecting: Covering Passion and Investment Collections." The two organizations look forward to deepening this collaboration to the benefit of their clients. A special Thank You goes out to ISA members on the vetting committee—Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP; Sally Ambrose, ISA CAPP; and Helen (Len) D. de Rohan, ISA AM—for carefully reviewing submissions. Many thanks to ISA members who have volunteered their time and proficiency to produce and present webinars:

• How to Understand the Collectible Wine Markets - Leila Dunbar, ISA AM
• Coin Collecting: The Hobby of Kings - Steve Roach, ISA CAPP
• The Mystery of Luxury Watches - Darlene Wong, ISA AM
• Understanding the Chinese Art Market: Five Things You Must Know - Susan Lahey, MA, ISA AM
• Blanket or Rug? A Primer on Navajo Textiles - Vanessa Elmore, ISA
• Collector Versus Investor: Understanding Today's Jewelry Market - Amy Lawch, GG, ISA AM
• The American Portrait Masters: What's Hiding in Your Client's Attic? - Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP
• What's Valuable in Your Silver Cabinet? - Kirsten Rabe Smolensky, JD, ISA CAPP
• Rare Books, An Introduction - Robert Hittel, ISA CAPP
• Identifying, Examining, and Comparing English and American Period Furniture - Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP
• How to Determine Winners and Losers: Guidelines for Valuing Sports Memorabilia - Leila Dunbar, ISA AM

View full webinar descriptions

ISA is extraordinarily proud to have been chosen by Chubb as the professional personal property appraisal organization to provide connoisseurship training to their network. The webinars are being archived by Chubb and will be available to ISA members following completion of the series in 2017.

What You Should Know If You are a First-Time Assets Attendee

By Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP

Whether you’ve been a member for three years or three weeks, if you haven’t ever attended Assets yet, you haven’t really taken an important step towards becoming part of the ISA family.

Of all the benefits that come with membership, perhaps the greatest is having direct access to other professionals with appraisal expertise that differs from your own. One can easily find a person through our website, but it is so much easier to take advantage of the Find a Member resource if you are a familiar face. The annual conference committee not only plans informative lectures to equip you with further education (and the confidence that comes with it) but also makes a point of setting aside time for attendees to meet fellow members, speakers, sponsors and advertisers. Those of us who are conference veterans know how important these relationships are.

The first night of Assets, first-time conference attendees are invited to a reception and given a chance to meet each other, as well as a few of the staff members and ISA leaders who will be on hand to help you get started. These contacts will do their best to help first-timers meet other members who may have the same area of expertise but have more years of experience under their belt. There will also be various groups that form to go out for dinner. If you don't know anyone at conference, it may be worth it to consider signing up when you register and getting a head start on networking. There will be plenty of friendly faces to meet, and the dinner groups are not exclusively for first-timers. I encourage everyone to check their registration materials carefully to ensure that you don't miss any events or opportunities.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a pro when it comes to finding your way around conference, there is another very important aspect of conference attendance that can help your success: believe it or not, becoming a member of a committee can help you succeed. 

Getting involved in ISA leadership is a rewarding way to meet people while making a difference in the industry. No matter what your talent, there is a place for you. Most groups are open and welcome those seeking information about them during the meeting. A good first step is joining the division committee you specialize in, like ISA's Fine Art Division or the Antiques and Residential Contents Division. Being a member of these committees not only gives you a say in what and how targeted learning experiences are formed but also helps you stay alert to changes in the  industry. Perhaps you have a suggestion regarding how ISA is marketed. Maybe you have a strategy for implementing some exciting member benefits. Don't let your ideas go to waste. Join a committee and share.

Make Your Nominations for 2016 ISA Awards

By Christine Vincent, ISA AM, Awards Committee Chair

Assets 2016—and the welcoming heat of the Texas sun—will be here sooner than we think, but right now it’s January and for many of us that means cold! Winter storms and frigid weather are being predicted for most of the country—the perfect time to hunker down and curl up with a good book.

Well…think again, dear colleagues!
   
Now is the perfect time to send in your nominations for the 2016 ISA Awards! As you huddle beneath your blanket for warmth, take some time to reflect on the effort, dedication and contributions that so many of your ISA colleagues have made, not only for the advancement of the ISA and the appraisal profession but for each of us as individual appraisers as well. 

COULD THERE BE UNSUNG HEROES AMONG US?
Is there someone who deserves recognition but flies under the radar? Is there a fellow appraiser who has generously or consistently provided you with assistance? Is there someone new to the group whose enthusiasm and efforts should be honored and encouraged? Is your ISA Chapter growing in numbers or deeds? We want to hear from you and celebrate the achievements and spirit of these very special people…our colleagues, our friends.  

These deserving individuals and chapters will be honored during our April 15-18 conference in Dallas-Fort Worth.      

This year we are taking award nominations based on eight categories:

International Society of Appraisers 2016 Award Categories

• Lamp of Knowledge
• Leadership
• Rising Leader
• Distinguished Service
• Chapter of the Year
• Publication/Media/Marketing
• Special Merit
• Service

Please take a look at the 2016 Award Nomination Form for descriptions of the award categories and requirements for each nomination.

I thank you so much for taking the time to consider those colleagues deserving of honor and recognition! Completed Award Nomination Forms must be submitted using the online form by Friday, March 4. If you have any questions, please contact me via email at bridgesomc21@gmail.com.

Invitation from the President: Expand Your Appraisal Horizons in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas

By Christine Guernsey, ISA CAPP, President

It is my absolute pleasure to invite all my colleagues to my hometown of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, April 15-18 for ISA's Annual Conference, Assets 2016.

Our conference theme, "Expanding Horizons," focuses on an ever-changing industry and finding new opportunities for your appraisal practice. By attending, you will gain insight into the new directions industry-related gatekeepers are taking with their clients and how appraisers can collaborate for increased business; learn advanced methodologies to solve unique and difficult appraisal assignments; discover how to forecast future trends and advance your connoisseurship; and identify new business strategies that will help expand your appraisal horizons.

This year’s conference speakers continue ISA’s tradition of bringing you top industry experts. They include, to name only a few, Michael Moses of the Mei Moses Index; Peter May of LinkedIn’s “Art Solutions…Best in Practice” and “Trusts & Estates Network” with a combined 25,000-plus followers; Michael Plummer of Artvest; Lark Mason of Lark Mason Associates and IGavel; and an inspiring keynote presentation by Dennis McCuistion, award-winning host of the PBS television news show, the McCuistion Program.

The beautiful, newly renovated Hilton Hotel in Fort Worth, will host ISA. Renowned for its celebrity guests including JFK, this downtown hotel is a few blocks walk from Fort Worth’s Sundance Square where you will find a variety of great restaurants, shops and entertainment which are all affordable, easily accessible and safe for walking at night. For $10 per day, the Trinity Railway Express (located one block behind the hotel) will take you all around the DFW area as well as the Museum District in Dallas. Fort Worth’s Cultural District, with three major museums and its historic Stockyards, are all just minutes away.

We have arranged two days of special tours for conference attendees. Thursday, enjoy a very special hands-on, behind-the-scenes tour at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Friday, tours include a stop to the Design District in Dallas to visit Pittet Architecturals, one of the leading importers of European architectural elements in the United States, NorthPark Mall's Raymond Nasher collection, the Dallas Art Fair with over 90 exhibitors of Contemporary art, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, The Dallas Museum of Art (with both decorative and fine arts) and the acclaimed Nasher Sculpture Center.

You can’t afford to not attend Assets 2016. It is an investment in your future appraisal practice, a commitment to your continued appraisal education and a chance to network with some of the top professional peers in our organization.

I invite you to take a closer look at the Assets 2016 program and to register early for savings. It will be great to see you in my hometown. You will leave knowing it was well worth the trip!

The "Circle of Trust" Deepens the Collaboration Between the Major Appraisal Organizations with the Development of Formal Mission and Vision Statements

By Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP

COT organization leaders, including
Christine Guernsey, ISA CAPP, President,
Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP,
Immediate Past President, and
Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP

One of the goals of ISA's three-year Strategic Plan is to advance ISA's industry standing among users of appraisal services. As part of this directive, ISA is committed to working with peer appraisal organizations to raise public awareness and demand for meaningful personal property appraising credentials.

To help guide this initiative and frame the overall scope, ISA, AAA and ASA have furthered our collaboration with the development of mission and vision statements, announced Monday in a joint public press release.   

The mission of the Circle of Trust (COT) is: "To raise public awareness of qualification standards for credentialed personal property appraisers who are members of The Appraisal Foundation sponsoring organizations." The concept of limiting participation in this collaboration to TAF sponsoring organizations is, that for sponsors, adherence to the AQB qualifying criteria will now be mandatory. This protects the public from individuals who may be practicing to a lower standard and without organizational accountability.

The next meeting of the COT organizational representatives will be in April at the ISA Annual Conference in Dallas/Fort Worth. At this meeting, the COT intends to move the mission forward with activities geared toward educating allied industry users. The participating organizations believe that as a result of our unified efforts to raise public awareness, informed consumers and allied professionals will recognize, and increasingly demand, meaningful personal property appraising qualifications.

I am proud to be ISA's member representative in this effort, and invite your ideas and comments. Please contact me at: info@artappraisalfirm.com or 215 346-2799.

Partnering for Success: The ISA Affinity Business Partner Program

In business today, there’s a lot to be said for the company you keep. Is your company looking for an opportunity to become formally associated with the largest professional association of personal property appraisers in the United States and Canada? With the ISA Affinity Business Partner (ABP) level of membership, you can make it happen.

ABP members enjoy targeted access to ISA’s 800+ members, sharing the common goal of providing the highest level of professional and ethical service to consumers of appraisal services. ISA members are also encouraged to consult our ABP page when making client referrals, providing your company with an extra level of client exposure.

Additional benefits received from your annual dues ($600) include:

• Listing on the designated ABP Webpage on the ISA Website, including linked company logo and up to 50 words of business description
• Use of ISA Affinity Business Partner member logo
• Single use of the ISA mailing list, or a guest post on the ISA Now Blog
• A 20% discount on advertising in the ISA Annual Conference Program and Resource Guide
• Collateral Table exposure for promotional material at ISA's Annual Conference
• Inclusion in our listing of Affinity Business Partners in the Final Conference Program
• Admission to our members-only, private networking group on LinkedIn

All funds raised by the ABP category of membership are specifically earmarked for educational programs, furthering the ISA mission of “advancing excellence in the personal property appraisal profession.”

Consider becoming an ABP member and see what an alignment with ISA can do you for your business. Learn more and apply.

P.S. Are you a member of ISA with business partners who might benefit from this relationship? Share this message with them or forward their contact info to ISA at isa@isa-appraisers.org.

The Significance of Standards

By Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP

Last week, the president of The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), David Bunton, posted an article on the Huffington Post website about personal property appraising. ISA has been an active supporter of TAF for many years, requiring our members to follow and adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for even longer. After many years of supporting USPAP and participating on The Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council (TAFAC), in January of 2014, ISA became a full sponsor of TAF. In doing so, ISA is obligated to follow and adhere to the foundation's appraisal standards and qualification criteria.

The partnership between TAF and the personal property sponsors has been growing and gaining momentum through a collective process of developing further understanding of personal property essential elements. Through round-table discussions, intended user input, personal property only meetings, personal property task forces, updating of TAF website with a dedicated personal property resource page, and now this article, TAF and sponsoring personal property organizations reveal a strong commitment toward promoting professionalism and qualified appraisers. The publication of the article in the Huffington Post is important in the partnership with TAF, as it represents the intersection of interests, commitments and dedication of the foundation to the personal property community.

Members of ISA are all aware of the importance of USPAP standards, the 15-hour course, the exam and the update classes every two years. These important standards have been something ISA and our members have followed and embraced for many, many years. As a sponsor of TAF, in addition to adhering to USPAP standards, ISA is also required to follow the qualification criteria set by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB). The criteria sets minimum hours for appraisal education, experience, and continuing education/requalification. ISA has been an active voice and advocate through membership in TAFAC, and as an Appraisal Foundation sponsor in developing – and now implementing – the new qualification criteria.

The new personal property qualification criteria are more than educational requirements, and the rationale behind advancing and promoting the criteria are central to the success of the profession. The qualification criteria are designed to advance the status and standing of qualified appraisers versus those who produce sub-standard work and are not qualified. David Bunton’s article in the Huffington Post is significant on so many levels, as it goes right to the core importance of standards and qualifications. As the title implies, What You Need to Know When Getting Your Personal Property Appraised, it seeks to inform and educate users of appraisals on what is involved in developing a professional, qualified appraisal report, while also informing on the importance of hiring an appraiser with the proper qualifications for credible assignment results.

In addition to ISA’s Appraisal Foundation activity, ISA has been both active and vocal in support of qualified appraisers, promoting our members and seeking excellence and advancement within the profession. ISA initiatives include:

• Partnering with allied professionals such as our affiliation with Chubb Insurance in promoting qualified appraisers and educating users of appraisers
  
• Developing the Circle of Trust (COT), the new coalition of ISA, AAA and ASA to promote qualified appraisers and the appraisal profession
  
• Meeting regularly with allied professionals, educational providers, our compeer organizations and the IRS to discuss appraisal needs from users, and to promote qualified appraisers and appraisals
  
• Hosting the finest personal property appraisal conference
• Growing educational opportunities, mentoring and online programs
  
• Developing and distributing marketing material for ISA members
  
• Promoting the ISA Affinity Business Partner program to develop contacts and network with allied professionals
  
• Partnering with the Foundation for Appraisal Education

The Huffington Post article written by TAF President David Bunton is one of the many important results from our partnership and cooperation with other professional organizations in promoting qualified appraisers. These relationships have become both valuable and significant to ISA from a strategic point of view to augment and enhance our ability to leverage our important message of promoting qualified ISA appraisers to the public.

If you have not already, please take a few minutes to read through the Huffington Post article by David Bunton. To the professional appraiser who follows USPAP and the important qualification criteria, it may not reveal much new information, as ISA has been engaged in promoting our members and the profession for years. However, to users of appraisers, such as collectors, trust and estate planners, wealth managers, accountants, insurance agents, bankers, accountants and other professional users of appraisals, it shows the importance of hiring a professional, qualified appraiser who writes and develops reports to the “generally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession in the United States.”

The ISA Forum: A Refresher

For many years, the ISA Forum has served as an integral resource for members in obtaining expert advice and getting answers on tricky appraisal questions. It houses a wide range of discussion topics, with new discussions and questions posted daily.

Back in 2010, Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP, compiled a four-part screencast series on how to use the Forum. If you aren’t yet using the Forum to its fullest, take a look at these posts for a quick refresher. (Please note that these screencasts were done before ISA revamped the website and ISA logo. While those have changed, the functions of the ISA Forum have not.)

Part 1 - Forum How To: Logging In and Changing Your Password

Part 2 - How to Post to the ISA Forum

Part 3 - How to Post a Photo on the ISA Forum

Part 4 - How to Sign Up for Forum Email and Profile Changes

New ISA Members

The ISA is proud to introduce you to our 22 newest members (through August 2015). Please join us in welcoming them to the Society!

Brooke Baggenstoss Seattle, WA	Tiffany Beasley Montgomery, AL
Heather Blume Harwichport, MA	Anita Chavez Albuquerque, NM
Lori Cohen Philadelphia, PA	Eileen Cornell Lilburn, GA
Bruce Davie Rochester, NY	Donna Davis Marietta, GA
Wendy Dych Romeo, MI	Jeff Figler Poway, CA
Laurent Gache Los Angeles, CA	David Goranson Lakewood, CO
Mircea Granescu Chicago, IL	Michele LaRocco Richmond, TX
Patricia Manzo Riverside, CA	Maria Masse Olympia, WA
Jessica May Portland, OR	Alison Petretti New Canaan, CT
Phoebe Seward Houston, TX	Mercedes Taboada Sola Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC
Angele Taylor Jackson, MS	Jonathan Vincent Norwich, VT

ISA President Attends Valuation Profession Meeting in Chicago

The ISA is committed to working with fellow appraisal organizations and industry agencies to advocate for and advance the credentialed personal property appraiser.

On July 9-10, ISA President, Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP, was honored to attend a meeting with the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC), hosted by the American Society of Appraisers and the Appraisal Institute in Chicago. Participants included representatives of 11 professional valuation organizations, assembled to discuss crucial topics facing the valuation profession around the world.

The IVSC is Chaired by Sir David Tweedie (center, front, Picture 3), former Chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board, renown for leading the successful effort to establish uniform international accountancy standards. President M. Lance Coyle, MAI, SRA, and CEO Frederick H. Grubbe, MBA, CAE, represented the Appraisal Institute.

Learn more about ISA's advocacy and collaboration efforts in the ISA President's New Year's Message from Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg.