Onsite Education Programs
Let the basics set stage for success!
Basic Appraisal Principles
Four-day course introduces real property concepts and characteristics, legal considerations, influences on real estate values, types of value, economic principles, real estate markets and analysis, highest and best use, and ethical considerations. Provides a solid foundation in basic appraisal principles no matter what appraisal specialty you pursue.
Basic Appraisal Procedures
Apply the principles and concepts learned in Basic Appraisal Principles. Four-day course goes step-by-step through the valuation process: defining the problem, collecting and analyzing data, reaching a final opinion of value, and communicating the appraisal. Learn the three approaches to reaching an opinion of value—income capitalization, cost, and sales comparison—and apply them in true-to-life case studies and problems.
Introduction to Green Buildings: Principles and Concepts
This one-day introduction course focuses on the evolution of green buildings, the concept of sustainability in buildings, and the principles, practices, and components that distinguish sustainable from traditional buildings.
Case Studies in Appraising Green Commercial Buildings
As governmental mandates continue to filter down to all local communities, all real estate professionals must understand the concepts of green building. This two-day course provides practical application of techniques available. After a brief review of green principles and concepts, in-depth commercial case studies explore techniques for valuation. Discover resources to help document the appraisal process.
Case Studies in Appraising Green Residential Buildings
This one-day course introduces participants to valuation methods for appraising the high performance house. Participants learn the appraisal procedures for valuing green residential properties to assist in supporting an opinion of value. The course focuses on the valuation process in different appraisal problems encountered in appraising green properties.
Residential and Commercial Valuation of Solar
As the US continues to search for energy alternatives, properties improved with solar PV (photovoltaic) are becoming more common, creating demand for appraisers trained in properly valuing solar PV. Get your staff prepared! Even for those who don’t specialize in green properties, the likelihood that you will encounter solar PV is increasing. This two-day hands-on course introduces solar terminology and shows how to solve solar-related valuation problems.
Review Theory—General
Fundamental five-day review course. Embark on an in-depth journey of the seven steps outlined through the review process. To be a reviewer, an appraiser must learn how to develop opinions of completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, and reasonableness relative to the work under review. These opinions must be refined through tests of reasonableness in order to develop opinions of appropriateness and credibility.
Review Case Studies—General
Five-day course focusing on three case studies that present the challenges reviewers face every day in review assignments. Apply the review process by developing review opinions of completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, appropriateness, and credibility specific to another appraiser’s work. By preparing written review reports, you will gain valuable confidence in the application of review techniques.
Review Theory—Residential
Fundamental three-day review course. Embark on an in-depth journey of the seven steps outlined through the review process. Reviewers must learn how to develop opinions of completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, and reasonableness relative to the work under review. These opinions must be refined through tests of reasonableness in order to develop opinions of appropriateness and credibility.
Review Case Studies—Residential (COMING SOON!)
This two-day course applies the review process to practical problems that residential reviewers face every day. In Review Theory-Residential, participants learned about developing review opinions of completeness, accuracy, adequacy, relevance, reasonableness, appropriateness, and credibility specific to another appraiser’s work, including reasons for disagreement.
Litigation Appraising: Specialized Topics and Applications
Two-day course provides an overview of business opportunities in specialized types of litigation other than eminent domain in which the valuation of real estate is frequently an issue. Topics include environmental contamination, ad valorem tax assessments, construction defects, bankruptcies, fraud and misrepresentation cases, income and estate tax disputes, and divorces.
Condemnation Appraising: Principles and Applications
Gain an understanding of the eminent domain process, rules and regulations governing condemnation appraisals, and important issues unique to this appraisal specialty. Acquire the tools to address issues such as the valuation rules used by different jurisdictions, identification and valuation of the larger parcel, and the estimation of damages and benefits. Examine advanced applications of appraisal techniques and problem-solving in condemnation cases in this three-day course.
The Appraiser as an Expert Witness: Preparation and Testimony
Two-day course introduces the basic concepts needed to engage in litigation valuation. Explores the scope of activities appraisers can expect in a legal action, including assessing the status of a case, developing a USPAP-compliant appraisal without preparing a written report, and understanding legal terminology and jargon. Addresses how litigation assignments differ from lender assignments and how to market appraisal services to litigation clients
Fundamentals of Separating Real, Personal Property, and Intangible Business Assets
Two-day course provides the theoretical and analytical framework for separating the tangible and intangible assets of operating properties. Participants apply the theory of the firm and the concept of economic profit to the solution of problems and case studies related to ad valorem taxation, eminent domain, loan underwriting, and transaction price allocation. An overview of business valuation procedures and clarification of real estate and business valuation terminology is provided so participants become familiar with the terminology relevant to separating asset values. Review the legal foundations for property rights and become aware of the controversial and unresolved issues in this field. (Note. This course contains diverse opinions regarding appraisal theory and applications. Neither this course nor the Appraisal Institute advocates a particular theory or method)
General Appraiser Income Approach/Part 1
Four-day course opens with a graphic treatment of the time value of money, the six financial functions of a dollar, and important associated concepts. A thorough, detailed analysis of gross income including leases and the various expenses appropriately deducted from gross income follows, with realistic case studies of several income property types. Direct capitalization is then presented using overall capitalization rates, band of investment, and residual techniques
General Appraiser Income Approach/Part 2
Four-day course opens with a treatment of discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Topics include identifying components of a DCF, projecting cash flows, analyze leases, solving for value in a variety of common situations, and supporting the discount rate. The effects of debt financing including cash equivalence and equity analysis are covered. Income patterns and property models including residual and other applications are followed by selecting and supporting the discount rate.
General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use
The essential relationships between market analysis, highest and best use, the three approaches to value, and the final value opinion are covered in this four-day AQB-approved course. Recognize that market analysis is integral to highest and best use, and that highest and best use is integral to market value. Learn how to produce credible results in appraisal to develop opinions of market value.
General Appraiser Report Writing & Case Studies
Provides instruction in effectively communicating a sound analysis of selected parts of a valuation. Four-day course addresses USPAP requirements and the three types of writing most often used in appraisal reports: descriptive, numerical, and analytical. Specific assignments include writing a thesis statement, summarizing data, creating effective tables, writing a conclusion, communicating highest and best use, and communicating an analysis.
General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach
Four-day in-depth look at this valuation analysis method. It begins with detailed discussions of property comparability, techniques used to gather and verify data for a subject property, and use of this data in selecting appropriate comparable properties and neighborhoods for analysis in the approach. Explores ways to sort and analyze data and effectively apply certain statistical analysis tools.
General Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach
Hands-on four-day course that concerns two basic aspects of real estate appraisal: land/site valuation and the development of the cost approach. Extensive use of problems and case studies provide practice in applying site valuation and cost approach methods.
Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use
Two-day course looks at relationship between market analysis and highest and best use. Discover where to find information to make a highest and best use decision and how to interpret the information you find. Learn how to read and map a market area for a subject property and discover the essential links between market analysis, highest and best use analysis, and the three approaches to value (cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization).
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies
Two-day course engages appraisers in practical writing exercises necessary to produce convincing appraisal reports in daily practice. Discuss and apply residential valuation procedures, grammar rules and writing techniques, and specific writing assignments based on a residential case study. Participants will practice writing effective narrative comments for form appraisal reports and learn how to explain valuation procedures and conclusions to users of reports.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approach
Through two in-depth case studies, this introductory four-day course provides you with the techniques necessary for completing the sales comparison and income capitalization approaches of the valuation process. You will develop and apply qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques as well as organize and reconcile data.
Residential Site Valuation and Cost Approaches
This two-day course focuses on the valuation of vacant land parcels and the development of the cost approach. Create a current cost estimate using market extraction, discover effective interview techniques, and explore information provided by professional cost data sources. An in-depth case study takes you from the origin of the appraisal assignment to a final value estimate using various cost approach applications.
Quantitative Analysis
In this five-day course, learn practical application of quantitative tools for analyzing data, drawing appropriate conclusions from data sets, and presenting both the analysis and conclusions in ways that enhance communication with appraisal clients. Review the application of basic statistical measures (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, etc.) and spends a good deal of time on graphical and regression analysis for use in producing and understanding various types of graphs. Goals include showing participants how to understand the reliability and validity of all data used to draw conclusions and providing the knowledge needed to check the validity of the conclusions others may draw from the same or similar data sets.
Real Estate Finance, Statistics, and Valuation Modeling
This two-day course provides an introduction to statistics, real estate finance, and modeling with applications to residential and commercial real estate appraisal. On the first day, you will develop an understanding of basic statistics and statistical analysis and learn how those skills can be used in valuation and evaluation practice. On day two, you will gain an understanding of real estate finance markets, learn about credit conditions and their impact values on appraisal, and calculate and interpret fundamental numbers on loan payments and balances.
Valuation of Conservation Easements
Considered one of the most controversial topics in the realm of valuation. Course designed for advanced, general certified appraiser who understands the methodology in the approaches to value and is ready to embark on understanding the intricacies involved in one of the most misunderstood and difficult types of appraisals. Over 4½ days, this intensive program will familiarize participants with conservation easement valuations in a variety of different situations, including conventional appraisals, appraisals that are required to comply with the Yellow Book, and appraisals involving noncash charitable contributions that are required to comply with IRS standards.
Complex Litigation Appraisal Case Studies
Based on the Appraisal Institute’s textbook Applications in Litigation Valuation: A Pragmatist’s Guide, one-day seminar discusses in detail three case studies that provide an overview of litigation strategies to appraisers who are new to litigation work, as well as a reinforcement of litigation skills to more experienced appraisers. Case study topics include: title issues, continuing nuisance, and condemnation.
Contract or Effective Rent: Finding the Real Rent
In this half-day seminar, work through real-world applications of common circumstances involving effective rent. Distinguish between nominal and effective rent and further enhance your analysis by evaluating the way effective rent impacts property value. Recognize how the integration of the effective rent measurement is used by market participants (landlords and tenants) for leases involving landlord concessions and non-market based provisions in all three approaches to value.
FHA Appraising for Valuation Professionals: FHA Single Family Housing Appraisal Requirements
In September 2015, after decades of relying upon multiple sources of guidance to properly develop and report an FHA appraisal assignment (i.e. the HUD 4150.2 Handbook, the 4150.1 REV-1 Handbook, dozens of Mortgagee Letters, and Frequently Asked Questions–Valuation Protocol), HUD-FHA implemented its authoritative source, the 4000.1 Handbook. One-day seminar helps your staff develop an understanding of the FHA Handbook 4000.1 and the accompanying Appraisal Report and Data Delivery Guide
Marketability Studies: The Six-Step Process and Basic Applications
In this one-day seminar, cover structured market analysis while applying the six-step process on two non-complex appraisal assignments. The process lays the foundation necessary to apply advanced techniques. Most assignments can be handled using the process and the techniques demonstrated in this seminar! Two examples used can be used as a future guide for use in an appraiser’s practice.
Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions: Practical Applications (“Yellow Book”)
Experienced residential or general appraisers who would like to expand their client base to include appraisal assignments for Federal agencies will learn how to apply the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions including the use of the four special valuation rules related to federal land acquisition appraisals. Become familiar with the unique appraisal needs of federal land acquisition programs. Recognize and use the special rules applicable to partial acquisition appraisals.
Unraveling the Mystery of Fannie Mae Appraisal Guidelines
Lenders continue to face scrutiny from federal regulators in the wake of high foreclosure rates, and this reality translates into increased scrutiny on the appraisal. When foreclosures occur, entities that purchased loans in the secondary market often challenge the lender who made the loan in order to buy it back. If the appraisal appears to be deficient, it strengthens the purchaser’s case to demand a buyback. Become familiar with requirements and enhance your ability to review appraisal reports that conform to the Fannie Mae Appraisal Requirements in this half-day seminar.
Need more information?
Contact Fran Rosenstein frosenstein@appraisalinstitute.org for a Table of Contents, questions or a proposal.