Author: Aaron O. Thomas, Certified Residential Appraiser.
Aaron is owner of San Diego Appraisers, a real estate appraisal service provider specializing in residential properties located in the greater San Diego County area. San Diego Appraisers service mortgage brokers, CPAs, lawyers, businesses and homeowners.

This is election season and I can't help but to think back to the 2000 election when it was so close that it split our nation in two for a while thereafter. This splitting in opinion and how divisive it was can be one of many examples of what is going on with Real Estate Appraisers right now.

On most issues ranging from comp checks to if the HVCC is evil or good, we just can't seem to agree. Another issue I recently raised was whether it would help to be a member to an association similar to that of the National Association of Realtors and received immediate opposition, which shows we cannot agree on a single thing as a whole.

I am not associating this with something that is a negative trait; it's actually good that many derive their own opinions from there own unique perspectives; thus, the term "independent" fee Appraiser. However, at the same time it also creates a problem when it comes to issues that need to be resolved on a National level.

With that said, one of the things Appraisers can agree on is that they are not happy with the current environment and want something done about it, but we lack the solidarity to do so. This diversity is also the reason why it does not matter if the plan for unity proposed is perfect in every way, it will never be good enough for everyone. It will always please one half and not the other. How did the nation overcome such a diverse set of circumstances in the 2000 election? That's right, an election.. and I think democracy can work for the Appraisal industry too.

I think this is one of the main reasons why the National Association of Realtors has worked so well; they have a voting system and an elected board. As an organization, they actually get things done. They stick up for their members on a national and regional level. Isn't this exactly what Appraisers need? One argument against this is that the Association would not function like some would like, however wouldn't the election process take care of the problem by electing the right people to get the job done?