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| LDAC 2014 |
The 2014 Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC)
took place last month (May 19th-21st). I was honored to be among the 100 appraisers
from around the United States and Puerto Rico to be in attendance for this
three day think tank and lobbying event.
This year’s discussions developed by the Appraisal Institute Steering
Committee were as follows:
- Defining and Promoting the AI
Designated Member Difference
- Embracing and Using Technology – Becoming a Technology
Savvy Real Estate Appraiser
- Defusing the Succession Time Bomb - Solving the Trainee/Supervisor
Dilemma
- Create New and Expand Existing Client Relationships (through unique, value added
enhancements and market diversification that cause AI Designated members to
stand out from other appraisers)
The discussions were lively, informative and provided a lot
of interesting perspectives from appraisers working in various fields and
locals. The resulting discussions, led
by a panel of capable discussion leaders, will be distilled and presented to
the Appraisal Institute’s Steering Committee to help shape the focus and
direction of the Appraisal Institute in the future.
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| Michael Leahy and U.S. Representative Tom Murphy |
In addition to the internal discussions, the Appraisal
Institute turned the LDAC attendees loose on Capitol Hill where we broke into
regional groups to lobby our respective Congressmen on the following issues impacting
the appraisal profession. This year, we
focused to on two issues:
- Small Business Administration (SBA) “Going
Concern” Appraisal Policy Change
- “Protecting the Integrity of the Appraisal”
through Government Sponsored Entity (GSE) reform bills addressing the proposed
Uniform Mortgage Database.
The first issue addressed a loophole that currently exists
in SBA policy regarding the valuation of special purpose properties, i.e. loans
that fall under the 7(a) program, which currently prevent appraisers from
providing going concern valuations for special purpose properties (hotels, car
washes, etc.) thus requiring small businesses to hire two separate valuation
professionals. This loophole increases
costs and is a particular burden to small business.
The second issue relates to bills that are in the respective
Chambers of Congress, the “Corker-Warner” bill in the Senate and the “Path Act”
in the house, both of which contain language related to and allowing for
appraisal data to be collected in a publically accessible database. This is problematic for a myriad of reasons
ranging from personal privacy to the misappropriation of data. In both bodies we urged our Congressman to
address that language to ensure that the database is not open to public and
private entities outside of the GSE.
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| Impromptu Bike Tour |
While the LDAC experience is and endurance test at times,
all work and no play would make “Jack” a dull, dull boy. Needless to say, everyone, including the
Appraisal Institute staff, does everything in their power to make the event as
enjoyable as possible. I strongly
encourage everyone to participate in this event if the opportunity arises.
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| Pennsylvania Lobby Team |
I cannot thank the staff of the Appraisal Institute as well
as my fellow LDAC participants for a wonderful, enlightening and fulfilling
experience, particularly the excellent group of professionals from the PA lobbying
team, (left to right): Erin Hannan, MAI; Susanne Curran, MAI and Michele
Glower, MAI.
