ISA Blog - Information you can use

Latest Posts

• Office Hours Information from March 2025 Friday, March 14, 2025 in Ask an Instructor, Education, For Appraisers

  Here's a recap of all of the Q and A that was covered during the March 11, 2025 Office Hours with the Director of Education.

  View More
• Sculptures, Googly Eyes, In-Person Inspection and USPAP Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in Ask an Instructor, Fine Art, For Appraisers

  Brandon Zebold’s sculpture “Orb I” was installed in 2005 on the Roundabout Art Route in Bend, Oregon, and was recently subjected to what Stephen Colbert called “lighthearted vandalism.” But how does this impact you as the appraiser?

  Steve Roach, JD, ISA CAPP provides valuable insight about this lighthearted vandalism!

  City of Bend, Oregon, photograph.

  View More
• 2024 Moving into 2025 Design Trends Likely to Affect Value of Personal Property Friday, November 8, 2024 in Ask an Instructor, Education, Business Tips, For Appraisers

  State and national elections, conflicts in the Middle East, and global unrest have constantly been on our minds and in our daily conversations. We are bombarded with things over which we have little to no control. Our homes provide us a sanctuary by surrounding ourselves with possessions that feed our souls, keep our memories alive, tell stories, or showcase our interests.  People desperately seek more positivity - as reflected in their buying trends in 2024 and moving into 2025. 

  View More
• Why Join a Local ISA Chapter? Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in News, Member Insights, For Appraisers

  There are many benefits for ISA members at all accreditation levels to join a local Chapter. The ISA is a vast community of international personal property appraisers and they created a Chapter Manual to help. Have you considered joining a Chapter to help further your appraisal practice? Here are some benefits to consider:

  View More
• The Buddhist Thangkas – Artistic Expression as Spiritual Path Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Fine Art, For Consumers, For Appraisers

  Throughout the Himalayas, the vast mountain range spanning India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, lies a vibrant artistic tradition: the creation of thangkas. Tibetan Buddhist paintings in particular are more than just decorative pieces, but represent windows into the soul of Vajrayana Buddhism. Thangkas, traditionally made on cotton or silk, are intricate and colorful depictions of deities, scenes from Buddhist stories, or the sacred diagrams known as mandalas.

  View More
• Nectar of the Gods: Unveiling the Top 5 Most Expensively Appraised Wines Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in News, Education, For Consumers, For Appraisers

  The world of fine wines is a realm where craftsmanship, terroir, and history converge to create liquid masterpieces. Wine, often referred to as the nectar of the gods, has long been revered for its complexity, flavor profiles, and the unique stories encapsulated in each bottle. Some wines, however, transcend the ordinary, commanding astronomical prices at auctions and appraisals. In this blog, we explore the world of luxury wines, unveiling the top 5 most expensively appraised wines that have become symbols of prestige and exclusivity in the world of oenophiles.

  View More
• Art Authentication Can be a Tricky Business! Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in News, Ask an Instructor, Education, Business Tips, For Consumers, For Appraisers

  Art authentication can be tricky business. The International Society of Appraisers Core Course in Appraisal Studies teaches, “Authentication is a matter of informed and reasoned opinion, explaining, “Authentication is rarely definitive or absolute…. It is subject to revision as additional information becomes available…. It is subject to disagreement among experts.”

  View More
• UPDATES FOR YOUR APPRAISAL PRACTICE Thursday, December 28, 2023 in News, Ask an Instructor, Education, For Appraisers

  There are a few changes to the new 2024 edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), effective January 1, 2024. It is your responsibility as an ISA Appraiser to educate yourself in the changes to USPAP.

  View More
• Housework: Making Onsite Inspections Easier Monday, June 26, 2023 in Business Tips, For Appraisers

  Though some of our members have a very narrow specialty most of us are called to catalog an estate at some point. A common question many new appraisers have is how to handle an inventory that is inclusive of all the property in a home.

  View More
• USPAP - Frequently Asked Questions! Friday, April 14, 2023 in Ask an Instructor, Education, For Appraisers

  The Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP) materials include a lot of Frequently Asked Questions! There are currently 367 FAQs in the 2020-2021 version of USPAP which has been extended through December 31, 2023. These are included as guidance from The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) of The Appraisal Foundation to respond to questions to illustrate the applicability of USPAP in specific situations.

  View More