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.

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.

Take Advice and Make Opportunities

By Helen (Len) D. de Rohan, ISA AM, Membership Retention Committee

You may have seen the new motto spreading amongst ISA members—“ISA means business!”— particularly when fellow members are sharing the advice that they received when they were new appraisers looking to jumpstart their business.

Carol Matesic, ISA AM, is one of several to share her enthusiastic encouragement. “Never be afraid to admit what you don’t know,” she says. “I don’t think anyone has ever faulted me for saying, ‘I don’t know but I do know how to find out or who to call.’ I think that is the best part of ISA … the community of appraisers willing to assist each other in gaining knowledge.”

Cindy Charleston-Rosenberg, ISA CAPP and past ISA President, gives the same advice, which she credits as having been passed to her by the late Norman Hurst. “Never be afraid to admit what you don’t know. It doesn’t undermine your credibility. It actually builds confidence in your integrity when you admit that you have to explore a question further and/or consult with your network of specialists who have a more specific expertise.”

Along the same lines, when I took a Prints and Paintings course from Brenda Simonson-Mohle, ISA CAPP, at the Whitehall Antiques Summer Seminar, she encouraged the class to admit to a client whenever we hadn’t heard of a certain artist. With so many artists from so many periods, we should not expect ourselves to know all of them. 

Several ISA members recommend working with auction houses, galleries or antique businesses. Leila Dunbar, ISA AM, Roadshow sports authority and presenter of two Chubb webinars, says working at an auction house gave her a wide spectrum of expertise and exposure. Gay Gapser Pleasant, ISA AM, works as a phone bidder for Leland Little Auctions, where, despite not being a full-time staff member, she has made valuable contacts with the experts at the auction house. Sarah Campbell Drury, ISA AM, and I both work for Case Auctions, Inc. in Tennessee, a location that puts us in daily contact with a wide range of objects. In fact, many of my appraisal referrals come from the auction house.

Jan Durr, ISA CAPP, notes, “One of the best experiences for me was operating an antiques mall, with the day-to-day fielding of varying questions by dealers and the public. It required research for valuation, growth in product knowledge, and building relationships.”

When she first joined the society, Vanessa Elmore, ISA, another Chubb webinar presenter, worked for almost twenty years in two galleries of Native American art and artifacts. She says that those years gave her industry contacts that included collectors, dealers, museum people, and fellow appraisers. It also gave her an understanding and knowledge of the ‘dealer’ world, insight that can be especially valuable as an appraiser. Developing a relationship with an auction house or retail business can be very beneficial in growing your appraisal business.

Marian (Mo) Aubry, ISA CAPP, says that as a new business owner, “The best advice I ever got came from a business man who suggested not that I write a business plan, but instead, write an employee handbook for myself! It not only forced me to explain my tasks step-by-step, but it also caused me to consider what an employee might want to know about my business—its goals, overall attitude and conduct. The exercise helped me to be better organized and more professional.”

Mandy Sabbadini, ISA AM, believes that mentoring with an experienced appraiser—and working in the field with her mentor—was essential to her growth and knowledge. Maria Gianino, ISA, recommends attending as many continuing educational programs in your area of interest. She also volunteers to speak to local community groups on the subject of downsizing one’s possessions, after which she’ll regularly receive numerous follow-up appraisal inquiries.

These are only a few bits of advice that your fellow appraisers have to offer up. The overall message is clear: The possibilities for advancement in your profession are endless, and you are limited only by your own efforts and imagination. It’s like Dr. Seuss said… “Oh, the things you can think if only you try!”

Membership Matters

By Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP, Vice President

When I think about it, ISA is all about membership. As a society of appraisers, ISA’s mission is to “Advance Excellence in the personal property appraisal profession.” This means us!

Dedicated committee volunteers, ISA Sentergroup staff and our board of directors are all continuously working together to offer opportunities to advance our methodology training and product knowledge. We have also generated a broad scope of marketing tools for members’ appraisal practices and have enhanced individual market share reach by way of active social media platforms. ISA resources that include online and onsite educational course offerings, webinars, annual conferences, mentoring and networking programs continue to provide us with a full spectrum of 21st century professional connectivity.

That said, ISA membership is not merely about a list of services, it is also about experiences. By embracing collaboration, ISA membership adds significant value to members’ businesses and lives. As many of you know, our ISA culture encourages its members to share their ah-ha moments. Our growth and development as appraisers, and our better understanding of sometimes complex appraisal puzzles, are linked to these experiences: a fellow ISA member presents a unique and difficult appraisal assignment at conference; a certified ISA member generously offers his or her expertise to a newcomer; an ISA member, although a great distance away, is there in a moment by video conferencing to discuss project strategy and approach with colleagues. I believe we have all been the beneficiaries of these consequential connections. These priceless attributes of our membership, these critical “inside” opportunities and relationships afforded to our members, are often overlooked and can be difficult to calibrate in a dollar-and-cent equation of our annual membership fee.

As we continue to grow our own appraisal practices, ISA continues to work to develop membership to the benefit of our collective welfare. By building our membership, we can sustain our commitments, advance our core set of values, bring vitality to our society, and explore new business opportunities together.

Without ISA educational programs, without a set of standards for qualified personal property appraisers, without a network of like-minded colleagues and without the advocacy and support of ISA, I think it would be fair to say that the extent of our knowledge and breadth of our abilities as personal property appraisers would be greatly diminished.

ISA’s Membership Development Committee, chaired by Michelle Conliffe, ISA CAPP, with the support of Kirsten Rabe Smolensky, JD, ISA CAPP, has been diligently working on member recruitment. The committee is NOT asking for money, but rather for people. It is our worthy organization of people, those with personal property appraisal desire and/or expertise, who strengthen ISA and make membership matter!

However, the efforts of the Membership Development Committee need not be restricted to committee outreach alone. All members are ISA ambassadors, and all members can be good stewards of our organization by sharing its benefits with others who may share similar professional interests.

Do you have an acquaintance that is in need of an open door to an independent profession? Or do you perhaps know a student looking for job inspiration and seeking a career path? Have you worked with another professional in a related field who might find appraisal methodology education attractive? By sharing your ISA membership experiences with these individuals, you help contribute to the life and spirit of our organization.

In a recent report regarding not-for-profit organization sustainability, a survey question was asked: “What is the single most important reason people give as to why they have joined an organization?” The greatest number answered: Somebody asked me.

Keep an Open Mind: Checking Our Biases At the Door

Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

By Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

At conference, a young woman pursuing a career as an appraiser confided in me. She said that she was having a difficult time convincing potential clients that, although she was young, she was competent and qualified. She had worked in internships and was passionate about the subject even before she ever considered completing an advanced degree in it (which she since had, she told me). She was articulate, obviously bright, and more than competent. I pointed out that she was already doing many things that help garner respect from colleagues and clients, such as getting involved with an organization that regards superior education and ethical conduct as the high water marks of the appraisal profession. I recommended that she continue to focus on proficiency and assured her that she would soon gain attention as an industry professional who is smart, reliable and consistent. I urged her to take all the jobs that came her way – big, small, unusual and the seemingly difficult jobs – and she would soon find herself gaining confidence, as well as clients.

Considering her youth as the determining factor for her competency was certainly unfair. Seniors, if they own up to an inconvenient truth, know that being older doesn’t automatically make you wiser. And yet, “ageism” exists on both sides of the life line, as I had an individual at conference suggest to me that I might not be aware of the market in some currently popular art form because of my age. Really? I’m sure my young colleague meant no harm, and, although it was less than subtle and mostly short-sighted, it got me thinking about the biases we sometimes unwittingly hold. First impressions are not always the right impressions.

There is no question that we conveniently rely on first impressions. Is there anyone who can deny being totally surprised by the powerful voice that came from a middle-aged woman in sensible laced shoes, a matronly dress, and that “Bette Davis” hairdo? Probably not those who knew Susan Boyle well.  

Researchers often talk about ‘availability bias,’ which refers to the practice of obtaining data from the most obvious sources. This often means that we come to conclusions without digging as deep as we should, or without looking at something from a new angle. However, removing a bias also removes our reasons for not getting to know something on a deeper level. When we look beyond the most obvious answer or our preconceived notions, we might find a whole new way to think about something or someone. Of all people, appraisers should be committed to being un-biased and open minded, a truth that extends beyond the items that we appraise.

Fine Art appraisers are not any more dedicated than ARC appraisers, and ARC appraisers do not practice a more complicated discipline than Fine Art appraisers. Yet biases exist among us as professionals. I know I’ve heard them come up at conference on occasion. Perhaps you have too.
One way we can get to know one another better is by sharing (who said sharing is caring?). As a mentor, I have been sharing some of the software apps that I use with my new mentee. He was so happy to discover these tools. Because he is much younger, I had assumed that his skills would be beyond mine when it came to technology. Clearly, my assumption was incorrect. And he, in turn, has used his background in business to teach me new ways that I can save time and money by being more efficient.

Mentoring is definitely a two-way street. There is no end to what we can accomplish when we share with one another. As ISA appraisers, we are all seeking greater proficiency and professionalism, no matter what we appraise, or what stage we are in our career… or even in life, for that matter. Perhaps we all need to remind ourselves to check our biases at the door. I urge you to get to know your fellow appraisers on a deeper level. You may be surprised by what you find.

Learn more about the ISA Mentor Program.

ISA Mentor Program is Good Karma

Marian R. Aubry, ISA CAPP

By Marian Aubry, ISA CAPP

Have you heard of ISA’s Mentor Program? In this unique program, seasoned appraisers agree to help a newly minted appraiser fill in the skill gaps or get a leg up in the process of credentialing. And best of all, it’s free! Although congeniality and collegiality have always been the hallmarks of an ISA appraiser, the Mentor Program makes certain everyone feels the love. No other appraisal organization offers this type of program, and it's another instance of ISA leading the way in the industry.

Here’s how it works: A mentor is paired with a mentee who has similar interests. Simple as that. If you are Fine Art member, you will be linked with a Fine Art Mentor. Speaking the same language is not only helpful but is also a great way to make contacts in the field, which can prove to be a real benefit to a new appraiser. The mentor provides guidance and advice, helps the mentee navigate the tasks involved in moving through the credentialing process and can address any lingering questions that the mentee may have.

For the mentee, this is one-on-one support from an appraisal professional. For the mentor, it’s good karma (what goes around comes around). As every teacher knows, the rewards of mentoring are pretty satisfying, and it can serve as a great way in which to cement your own skills.

There are, of course, some expectations that must be spelled out for both parties. For example, the Mentor-Mentee Program isn’t about developing a business model for the new appraiser. For that, the mentee might need a business coach; the mentor may even have some recommendations for choosing one. The mentor’s job is to provide information and perspective, while suggesting ideas and strategies for accomplishing tasks that will allow the mentee to move to the next level on his or her credentialing path. Importantly, the connection between Mentor and Mentee is a limited offer. To be more specific, the program will last for three months, at which point an evaluation will take place, and the decision as to whether to move forward or move on can be made.

Our current list of mentors reads like a Who’s Who directory of ISA CAPPs and Accredited Members. We have over 32 ISA members serving in a mentorship capacity. Most are paired with mentees right now; many of them have even more than one mentee! Clearly, these members appreciate the help that was given to them in the past and are willing to pay it forward. Now that’s good karma!

I urge you: Consider becoming a Mentor. It’s a limited-time program, one with specific rules to ensure that your volunteered time as an appraisal professional is not abused. For anyone seeking mentorship, I urge you to take advantage of this program. After all, it's free - and there are plenty of prospective mentors who are eager to address your unanswered questions.

Visit the ISA Mentor Program page for more information and to enroll in the program.

Marian Aubry, ISA CAPP
Board Director
marian.aubry@verizon.net