Pursue a Designation

I joined as a Practicing Affiliate at the start of my appraisal journey. Immediately, I was impressed with the plethora of resources that were offered and found myself wanting to pursue higher levels of involvement with the AI. I viewed the MAI designation as an opportunity to further my knowledge of the practice, build credibility for myself within the field, and create a path for career advancement.

After receiving the MAI designation, I can confirm that all of those opportunities are real! Most importantly, the people I met through the classes and other AI events have become friends who I can exchange ideas with as we concurrently grow in our industry.

In February 2020, I began my journey towards the MAI designation as a Student Affiliate, eager to connect with industry professionals and learn from experienced educators. Through active involvement in my local chapter and attending in-person courses, I gained valuable knowledge and forged meaningful relationships with lifelong mentors.

My pursuit of the MAI designation has been transformative, constantly pushing my personal and professional growth. It has opened doors to career opportunities I never knew existed. The Appraisal Institute is a community filled with educators and professionals who genuinely care for each other's success.

I am thrilled to continue supporting and mentoring the next generation of AI members, inspired by the guidance and encouragement I have received along my journey. Achieving the MAI designation has been challenging yet incredibly rewarding, shaping me into the appraiser I am today.

Obtaining the AI-GRS designation has been a truly rewarding journey. I decided to pursue this designation to enhance my expertise in the field and stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving real estate appraisal industry. The rigorous coursework, comprehensive exams, and continuous learning opportunities not only enriched my knowledge but also boosted my confidence as a professional appraisal reviewer.

Since achieving my AI-GRS designation, I have seen a remarkable impact on my career. Clients trust my appraisal reviews more, and I have gained access to a broader network of peers and industry experts. The designation has elevated my professional credibility and opened doors to exciting new opportunities, making it a pivotal milestone in my career as a Review Appraiser.

Hiring managers, whether seeking appraisers for employment or for individual fee assignments, know what it takes to receive the SRA designation. On three separate occasions, my SRA has earned me a position because the hiring manager thought it was a bonus. I get many assignments a year because the client wants someone with the SRA designation. I get referrals every year from MAI designated colleagues as well. I've heard many non-designated appraisers question whether achieving the SRA designation would help them professionally. For appraisers who want to work in non-lending spaces, I know from experience that the designation does wonders. I work for several lenders who give my designation consideration over other non-designated appraisers they work with. This is especially true with complex assignments.

Being included on the green home certification study is an example of something that I often say to classes or at conferences when discussing the importance of the SRA designation: "You are not aware of the work out there that is being offered only to SRA designees. Certain clients want this level of professionalism and are willing to pay for it. It is not only financially rewarding work, but also often intellectually interesting work that requires the skill set receiving my SRA helped to develop."