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    Essentials of Effective Communication

    More Info Register
    September 12, 2025
    Date
    September 12, 2025
    Time
    10:00am - 1:00pm (CST)
    Sponsor
    Appraisal Institute
    Location
    Appraisal Institute - Synchronous (Live Online)
    Instructor
    Francois K. Gregoire
    Nicholas D. Pilz, MAI, SRA, AI-RRS
    Class Time
    3
    Full Price
    $95.00
    AI Price
    $80.00
    Enroll by September 11!
    View Pricing Options
    Course Description

    If you have recently reviewed education catalogs, you may find that an overwhelming number of appraisal courses available have to do with developing assignment results, often intently focused on methods and techniques. However, communication of assignment results is the only way clients know if we performed correctly. 

    Communication begins before an appraisal assignment is even accepted by an appraiser. When the appraisers are first contacted by a client, the thought of the appraisal problem to be solved begins to percolate, sometimes directly with a prospective client and sometimes through email correspondence and information based on research or knowledge at hand. The communication aspect concludes when a completed appraisal is transmitted to the client. Reputation, public trust, and competency are all weighed heavily through what an appraiser says or does not say. The appraisers’ opinions and conclusions are at the very least book ended by communication—and without the correct communication on either end, or as appropriate during an assignment, the assignment results may not be the appropriate solution to the appraisal problem. Clients may be dissatisfied if they must read 10 pages explaining the origin of a town when they just want to know about the effect of a new mixed-use development on the real estate values of the surrounding properties. Conversely, appraisers may have learned that functional issues are persistent in all properties in a particular neighborhood and a non-factor, but the client may not sufficiently understand that issue unless it is properly communicated. 

    There is foundational knowledge built within professional standards and within the body of knowledge on appraisal theory about how to develop a credible opinion of value, but the reporting objectives read like a checklist as opposed to a process. 

    The 3-hour course, Essentials of Effective Communications, is designed to reintroduce you to the concept of scope of work and communication but from a different perspective—the perspective of how solving the appraisal problem is intrinsic to essential communication. We will do this by dissecting the appraisal problem characteristics, including intended use, intended user, and type and definition of value, to better understand how these characteristics shape the content and structure of appraisal reports and ultimately provide effective communication with our clients. 

    Who Should Enroll

    Residential and Commercial Appraisers

    State Approvals
    State QE/CE Course & Exam Course Only Exam Only Delivery Format Approval Format Start Date Expire Date State Code
    AR CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/16/2025 05/16/2027 AI128
    AZ CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    CA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/11/2025 05/28/2029 25CP754601611
    CO CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/03/2025 05/22/2028 2923
    CT CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/14/2025 05/14/2028 AAL.001415
    DE CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    GA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/02/2025 78690
    IA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/15/2025 05/15/2027 A518-2344
    IL CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/27/2025 12/31/2026 575.010824
    IN CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    KS CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/20/2025 12/31/2025 647.C25.N
    KY CE 4 4 Synchronous Synchronous 07/14/2025 06/30/2026
    MA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/18/2025 06/18/2027 00120216
    MD CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    ME CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    MI CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/08/2025 05/08/2028 20 - 1300365
    MN CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/15/2025 07/31/2027 1039183
    MO CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/17/2025 06/30/2026 0000000076
    MS CE 7 7 Synchronous Synchronous 07/22/2025 07/22/2027 MAB# 50695
    MT CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/14/2025 05/14/2028 REA-CEC-REC-19308
    NC CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/27/2025 12/31/2025 4743
    ND CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    NE CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/25/2025 07/25/2030 2253448.02
    NH CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/13/2025 06/13/2027
    NJ CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/18/2025 05/22/2028 2025-3014
    NM CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/02/2025 07/02/2028 4559
    NV CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/31/2025 07/31/2026 CE.0009933-A
    NY CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 07/01/2025 12/31/2025 A5942-03
    OH CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/16/2025 12/31/2025 084505005A 25
    OK CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/22/2025 05/22/2028 732
    OR CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 04/30/2025 04/30/2028 APIN-C-0425-9040
    PA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/05/2025 06/05/2028
    PR CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    RI CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 08/07/2025 08/06/2026 REA.0002396-CE
    TN CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/13/2025 07/31/2027 2921
    TX CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/13/2025 06/30/2027 52808
    UT CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 08/01/2025 08/31/2027 AC250804
    VA CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    VT CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/28/2025 05/28/2029 CA-298764
    WI CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 05/21/2025 05/22/2028 92983
    WV CE 3 3 Synchronous Synchronous 06/17/2025 06/18/2028
    Course Objectives
    • Define key appraisal terms such as "client," "intended user," "intended use," "scope of work," and assignment conditions, emphasizing their role in appraisal problem identification.
    • Describe the three steps of problem-solving—identifying the problem, determining the solution, and applying the solution—and their interdependent nature in appraisal practice.
    • Explain how analyzing assignment elements like property type, characteristics, and purpose guides appraisal problem identification.
    • Discuss the importance of clear communication with clients to establish the appraisal problem, scope of work, and assignment conditions.
    • Define key appraisal terms such as "client," "intended user," "intended use," "scope of work," and assignment conditions, emphasizing their role in appraisal problem identification.
      • Describe the three steps of problem-solving—identifying the problem, determining the solution, and applying the solution—and their interdependent nature in appraisal practice.
      • Explain how analyzing assignment elements like property type, characteristics, and purpose guides appraisal problem identification.
      • Discuss the importance of clear communication with clients to establish the appraisal problem, scope of work, and assignment conditions.
      • Analyze how the independent variables of problem identification (intended use, intended users, type/definition of value) influence dependent variables such as relevant characteristics, effective dates, and assignment conditions.
      • Identify potential consequences of misidentifying assignment elements and explain their impact on the scope of work, credibility, and public trust.
      • Evaluate the relationship between scope of work and appraisal problem identification, focusing on how they ensure credible results.
      • Propose strategies to align the scope of work with professional standards, client expectations, and legal requirements to support meaningful and accurate appraisals.Define the concept of public trust in appraisal reporting and explain its role as the primary objective of professional standards.
      • Identify ethical and procedural objectives that support public trust, including competency, transparency, and accountability.
      • Analyze how development and reporting contribute to credible appraisal results that are "worthy of belief."
      • Differentiate between "use" and "reliance on" in appraisal reports, highlighting their implications for appraiser liability and third-party reliance.
      • Apply the concept of privity to real-world appraisal scenarios and explain how it impacts client relationships and liability.
      • Recognize and address potential misleading information in appraisal reports, focusing on avoiding omissions, unclear language, or subjective proxies.
      • Illustrate the interconnectedness of public trust, credibility, and clear communication in producing meaningful and transparent appraisal results.
      • Develop strategies to ensure appraisal communication avoids misleading statements, maintains credibility, and upholds public trust.
    Course Details

    Program Overview:

    Introduction and overview
    Lesson A: Communication and the Appraisal Problem 

    • Problem Solving Basics
    • Discussion Question
    • Review Key Elements of Appraisal Problem Identification
    • Communication and the Appraisal Problem Characteristics
    • Discussion Question
    • Problem Identification: Intended Use and Intended User
    • Appraiser Negligence and Reasonable Care
      • Duty of Care/Standard of Care
      • Principles based Standards
      • Scope of Work Acceptability
    • Independent and Dependent Variables of Problem Identification
    • Assignment Conditions and Client Conditions 

    Lesson B: Understanding the Objectives (Introduction)

    • Objectives in Appraisal Standards
    • Public Trust
      • What is Trust? 
        o Use versus Reliance On
        o Privity
    • Credible
    • Misleading in Appraisal Reporting vs. Credibility
    • Proxies and Appraisal Jargon
    • Interconnectivity of Public Trust, Credible, and Misleading

    Equipment:

    AI National Synchronous Participation Requirements:

    All students are required to have a computer, webcam, and microphone capability to participate and receive continuing or qualifying education credit where approved.
    It is the student’s responsibility to have the required equipment to participate and receive credit. Visit the System Requirements for Attendees and Share Webcam pages for help.

    Additional Information:

    Location:
     

    This course will be held via live interactive classroom technology. 
     

    State Credit:
     

    A course may NOT be approved in every state for every delivery format. For example, some states do NOT allow any virtual education. When registering for any Appraisal Institute course, all participants will be required to check state approvals based on delivery format. For more information, see our state approvals page.
     
    Connection Information:

    Several minutes after you receive your Appraisal Institute receipt email, you will receive a second email from GoToTraining which will include instructions on connecting to the live session and a link to a small download of the GoToTraining software. The software runs on almost all operating systems and popular browsers. Connection email reminders are sent at specific intervals: 1 week, 1 day, and 1 hour prior to the live session start time. If you do not receive the connection information, please check your junk, spam, or quarantine folders. For questions, please email customerservice@appraisalinstitute.org or call (312) 335-4100. Note: Work devices with strong VPNs or firewalls have trouble connecting to GTT systems. It is recommended to use your personal device or to reach out to your organization’s IT department for assistance prior to the first session.  

    Prerequisites

    None

    Pricing Options
    Rate Full Price AI Price
    Standard
    Today thru 09/11/2025
    $95.00 $80.00
    Event Information

    Class Schedule:

    Friday, September 12, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm


    Class begins at 10:00AM Central time (8:00AM Pacific, 9:00AM Mountain, 11:00PM Eastern). The class runs for three (3) hours with at least two breaks during that time. Times shown are U.S. Central (Chicago) All students must be 100% present for the class in order to receive credit. Partial credit will not be awarded. Anyone who isn’t present 100% receives no credit and is responsible for continuing the program on their own time.

     

    Download Course Materials:

    • Login to your AI Account at www.appraisalinstitute.org with the username and password you used when you registered.
    • Click on “Education and Events” located in the menu on the right-hand side.
    • On the My Events page, find the course under the “Classroom Offerings/Synchronous Offerings/Conferences” heading and click the "View" button.
    • Scroll down to the “Download Course Materials” section and click on each link to download the course materials.

    Location:
    This course will be held via live interactive classroom technology. See below important participation requirements.

    State Credit:
    A course may NOT be approved in every state for every delivery format. For example, some states do NOT allow any virtual education. When registering for any Appraisal Institute course, all participants will be required to check state approvals based on delivery format. For more information, see our state approvals page.

    Participation Requirements: AI National Synchronous students are required to have a computer, webcam, and microphone capability to participate and receive continuing or qualifying education credit where approved. It is the student’s responsibility to have the required equipment to participate and receive credit. Visit the System Requirements for Attendees and Share Webcam pages for help.

    • All students are required to always keep their webcam on with their entire face fully visible while class is in session. 
    • Attendance will be monitored throughout the day through webcams and polling. 
    • A photo ID must be uploaded to the offering page prior to the start date of the offering. Please refer to the Appraisal Institute Synchronous Resources for instructions on how to upload your ID. 
    • Any issues with the upload, please contact customerservice@appraisalinstitute.org or call (888) 756-4624.

    The instructor must be able to interact with all students. Instructors and administrators will direct questions to each student in the morning and afternoon to which students must respond. Students must be in a location that allows for their full attention and interaction at all times.

    For questions regarding these classroom participation requirements, contact the Appraisal Institute at customerservice@appraisalinstitute.org or call (888) 756-4624.

    Connection Information:
    Several minutes after you receive your Appraisal Institute receipt email, you will receive a second email from GoToTraining which will include instructions on connecting to the live session and a link to a small download of the GoToTraining software. The software runs on almost all operating systems and popular browsers. Connection email reminders are sent at specific intervals: 1 week, 1 day, and 1 hour prior to the live session start time. If you do not receive the connection information, please check your junk, spam, or quarantine folders. For questions, please email customerservice@appraisalinstitute.org or call (888) 756-4624

    Note: Work devices with strong VPNs or firewalls have trouble connecting to GTT systems. It is recommended to use your personal device or to reach out to your organization’s IT department for assistance prior to the first session.