Have you seen the trailer for new Spike Jonze film Her yet? If not, watch it below and then finish reading.
Pretty creepy, eh?  What is interesting to me is that this movie would have seemed as science fiction five years ago as Orwell’s 1984 was when it first came out. Anymore, it is not that far-fetched. We live in an ever-increasingly digital world. The front-porch conversation with the neighbor is substituted with basement conversations with everyone and no on in particular on Facebook. I do not bemoan the fact, I simply state it as a reality.
A similar trend is occurring in the appraiser education field. In the old days (now I am sounding like my father), we hopped a plane—or at least got in the car—and traveled to appraisal classes. It was there we learned about USPAP or the latest trends in the appraisal industry. We updated our continuing education (CE) credits, but the real education usually came in the hallways. I remember on many occasions coming home from an appraisal class having gained more insight, knowledge, tips, and networking opportunities talking to other appraisers at the breaks than I ever learned from the instructor (sorry, Tracy). With the trend toward online appraisal CE classes, that benefit is diminishing.
My state requires 15 hours of CE each year, and though Idaho allows 100% of the CE to be taken online, very little of mine is actually done that way. It is not that I have anything against web-based training (I teach many webinars each year as you know); it’s more that there are so many fringe benefits of rubbing shoulders with other appraisers in person. In a world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, StumbledUpon, Google Plus, Pintrest and the like, do not fall into the trap of becoming more and more isolated from the world or from your colleagues. See appraisal classes as the education they are. Next time you need to renew your credits, look around and see if there are any live classes in your area. You will be glad you did.
Now, go create some value!
Dustin Harris is a multi-business owner, but he has found most of his success as a self-employed, residential real estate appraiser. He has been appraising for nearly two decades. He is the owner and President of Appraisal Precision and Consulting Group, Inc., and is a popular author, speaker and consultant. He owns and operates The Appraiser Coach where he personally advises and mentors other appraisers helping them to also run successful appraisal companies and increase their net worth.  His two-day workshop will be held on Nov 11-12, 2013 in Las Vegas. His principles and methodologies are also taught in an online, Mastermind group. He and his wife reside in Idaho with their four children.
9 thoughts on “Making the Case for Live Appraiser Education”
How shocking that the “old school” way of CE is seen by “experts” as superior to the new high tech on-line courses. Kind of like throwing away a perfectly good measuring tape, pen and clipboard for expensive digital measuring devices and more expensive tablets when inspecting properties. LOL.
THE PROBLEM IS THE STATES WANT TO APPEAR TO REQUIRE CONTIUNING EDUCATION TO MAKE YOU A BETTER APPRAISER, BUT THEY REALLY DO NOT CARE. IF THEY DID THEY WOULD REQUIRE USPAP & HALF THE HOURS TO BE LIVE.
I NEVER LEARN A THING WHEN I DO AN ON LINE CLASS & I DO NOT HEAR THE QUESTIONS THAT OTHERS ASK WHICH MY HELP ME. THE APPRAISERS THAT TAKE ON LINE CLASSES ARE LAZY & CHEAP. LIVE CLASSES COST MORE.
IN MY 35 YEARS I HAVE WOULD UP GETTING MORE WORK BECAUSE SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT POTENTIAL WORK
In 51 years as an appraiser, I have learned something of value in each and every live class I have taken over the years. I will continue to get my CE that way. Amen to Dustin’s comment!
JD
Coach, you are right on the money. I discuss this issue with my three teammates monthly. There is more to be learned than what I tell them and what a computer screen tells them. Not only in the appraisal world but in the overall business world is it so important to listen, listen, listen. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more of your coaching sessions being offered.
Concur. I also prefer live courses but have moved away from them in recent years due to time and cost constraints. I miss the networking and direct peer to peer hallway conversations. I never have liked the vacation setting conferences though, such as Hawaii; Las Vegas, etc.. I am going to learn-not to play, and tourist towns tend to suck money out of my pocket, I can ill afford to lose. I tend to stay in my own state within 50 to 100 miles of Los Angeles. The only time I traveled cross country for educational appraisal courses was years ago when the Treasury Dept. paid for it.
No doubt about it, classrooms teach more than computers. As an instructor for over thirty years I have found that it is the interaction among the group that many times connects the dots for a student and also makes the instructor better. Someone always ask a question that is different and makes everyone speak up with an opinion or thought on the topic. A true professional appraiser is made up of both book learning and real world experiences. The live classroom provides both at the same time.
Yes meeting with humans is preferable, and the use of technology to be more efficient in the office. It’s high touch, high tech.
Well said, Vince. And yes, I am still going to listen to the CD you gave me. 🙂
First, KUDOS to JD for 51 years in this business. I have 42 years and for the most part, it still is fun for me.
I just completed my 14 hours of CE that I took online. It took me about 35-39 hours to complete the 14 hours. If I would have taken the same courses in a classroom setting, I would have been done in two days, and I would have shared questions, answers, and experiences with the other appraisers, not only from my immediate area, but appraisers from other areas. I told my wife that I was taking all future CE in a classroom setting. It is worth the additional cost of a motel room to save five days in time.