appraisals

A NN & CO. hopes that you will consider us when looking for an experienced and knowledgeable appraiser for your personal property. Our staff is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). This professional membership, as well as many years of experience appraising personal property make ANN & CO. a wise choice! ANN & CO. understands that choosing and appraiser is an important decision, and offers the following questions to ask when hiring an appraiser.
"Do all appraisers have similar qualifications?" No! In most states anyone can claim to be a personal property appraiser (even your next-door-neighbor), whether they have had formal training or not. Until legislation is passed to protect the public from the unqualified appraiser the burden is on you, the consumer, to evaluate an appraiser's credentials. "What qualifies you to appraise my property?" A qualified appraiser has formal education in appraisal theory, principles, procedures, ethics and law. The appraiser should be up to date on the latest appraisal standards. Continuing education and testing are the only ways to ensure this competence. ANN & CO. staff is qualified to appraise property, first by completing an 100-hour course of study in appraisal principles and methodology. Product knowledge (area of expertise), while critical, is secondary to appraisal knowledge. Many "experts" can identify every detail of an object, but the do not know how to evaluate it for its appropriate worth. "How many years of appraisal experience do you have?" This is a good question to ask and must be used in property perspective. Doing a job longer than someone else doesn't mean he or she is doing it better. One can repeat mistakes for years. This type of person has experience, not expertise. Appraisers need both! This question only has validity after the appraiser has convinced you that he or she has earned appraisal competence through education and testing. "Do you belong to an appraisal organization?" There are many appraisal organizations, but only a few require members to take courses and pass tests before being admitted as "accredited" members. ANN & CO. staff is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraiser (ISA). Membership in an appraisal association is important because it shows that the appraiser is involved with the profession, has peer recognition, has access to updated information and is subject to a code of ethics and conduct. Many organizations "grandfather" members into new qualifications and titles. ISA HAS AN ABSOLUTE ANTI-GRANDFATHERING POLICY. All members must be trained and tested regardless of their years of experience.
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