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  • The Post-Pandemic New "Work" Order & Design Trends The Post-Pandemic New "Work" Order & Design Trends Tuesday, August 29, 2023 in Ask an Instructor, Education, Member Insights

    The media speculated that after the long COVID lock-down, consumers’ day-to-day life would return to the fast paced, activity-filled, dining-out-often existence, including returning to the office for work, that was typical of pre-pandemic life. Quite the opposite, the reality has been that people are continuing to use their homes as their primary workplace, the preferred place to entertain, and a sanctuary to relax and exercise a more financially conservative lifestyle.

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

    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.

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  • Understanding Guardianships Understanding Guardianships Monday, August 29, 2022 in Education

    In the Netflix movie “I Care A Lot,” Rosamund Pike’s character, Marla Grayson, is an icy, ambitious, court-appointed legal guardian who fleeces her wards out of their homes, cash, and personal property with amazing efficiency. The story is fiction, but it shines a (dramatic) light on the predicament of individuals who become wards due to mental incapacity, inability to care for themselves, addiction, or disability.

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  • 2022 Interior Design Trends Most Likely to Affect Value of Personal Property 2022 Interior Design Trends Most Likely to Affect Value of Personal Property Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in Education

    I have been reviewing the general media, interior design professional publications, and other industry sources to spot the interior design trends for 2022 that are most likely to affect the value of personal property values. Changes in design preferences can help forecast fundamental shifts in market pricing that we as appraisers must recognize.

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  • Refresher of Terminology Changes Refresher of Terminology Changes Tuesday, January 25, 2022 in Education

    This is a reminder of the terminology changes made in 2020 and 2021 that affect your appraisal reports.  Knowing how busy we all are, I am sure that many of you read the ISA Education newsletter posts regarding these changes in terminology to align with USPAP terms and definitions and then put them aside.  Now that the New Year has arrived, you are updating your appraisal report templates and looking for this information...

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  • Understanding the 2022-2023 7-Hour USPAP Course Understanding the 2022-2023 7-Hour USPAP Course Tuesday, January 25, 2022 in Education

    The new 2022-2023 7-Hour Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course is a bit different this year. Normally, the course reflects changes in the current edition of USPAP. But since the 2020-2021 edition of USPAP has been extended to 2022, the current course gives instructors the opportunity to present some broad topics that impact the credibility of the appraisal profession.

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  • Car Appraisals for the Generalist Car Appraisals for the Generalist Wednesday, November 17, 2021 in Education

    As a generalist appraiser preparing appraisals for estate functions or dissolution of marriage, you will eventually encounter a client asking you to include an automobile in your report. Should you oblige? Are you qualified to appraise a car, pick-up truck, or even a motorcycle?

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  • Embracing the Virtual Learning Environment Embracing the Virtual Learning Environment Monday, August 23, 2021 in Education

    Last year or so, when life was normal or considered normal, I would never think of meeting a client, fellow appraisers, attending a conference, or taking a class online only. But life as we knew it has forever changed. Amazingly so, to my surprise, I have begun to embrace this way of doing everyday business.

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  • Tips for Determining Scrap and/or Salvage Value Tips for Determining Scrap and/or Salvage Value Monday, July 26, 2021 in News, Education

    An easy way to distinguish between scrap and salvage is that scrap is generally used for metals. Salvage is generally used for everything else, including fine art. I will first discuss salvage value, including where an appraiser might look for comparable sales, and then move on to how an appraiser might calculate scrap value.

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  • How to Become a Connoisseur How to Become a Connoisseur Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in Education

    To become a connoisseur, curiosity is required. One must dedicate time and energy to asking questions, train her/his eyes to observe detail, and learn to compare and contrast objects so as to build up the experience necessary to make decisions about quality.

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