- Date
- August 7, 2025
- Time
- 8:30AM - 12:30PM (EST)
- Sponsor
- Atlanta Area Chapter
- Location
- Zoom
Zoom Livestream Broadcast
- Instructor
- Peter Christensen
- Full Price
- $90.00
- AI Price
- $80.00
Course Description
This seminar educates real estate appraisers about key legal concepts, laws and issues of current concern affecting appraisal practice. It helps appraisers understand professional liability issues and key laws, and assists in reducing legal risk.
The course answers specific questions for appraisers, such as:
- Who owns your appraisal report? Why does that matter?
- How does the Gramm Leach Bliley Act really apply to appraisers? Does it apply to commercial work?
- Why should I use an engagement agreement for non-lending work? Where can you find good samples? What are the key parts of the engagement agreement?
- How does USPAP relate to a professional negligence claim?
- What are the most common reasons appraisers are sued?
- What’s the most important language in an appraisal report – in relation to an appraiser’s potential liability?
Who Should Enroll
State Approvals
| State | QE/CE | Course & Exam | Course Only | Exam Only | Delivery Format | Approval Format | Start Date | Expire Date | State Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA | CE | 4 | Synchronous | Livestream | 06/26/2025 | 12/31/2027 | 39-78792 (Atlanta Area Chapter) | ||
| SC | CE | 4 | Synchronous | Livestream | 06/25/2025 | 08/31/2026 | 2316 (Atlanta Area Chapter) |
Course Objectives
- Understand the key legal elements of a professional negligence claim and, based on that knowledge, identify the main liability risks in appraisal work.
- Recognize the most common parties who file lawsuits against appraisers in relation to appraisals for lending.
- Understand why and how the USPAP concepts of client/intended user and intended use relate to legal claims against appraisers.
- Critically evaluate intended use and user language and develop intended use and user language that reduces liability risk.
- Understand the most common problems in appraisals raised in claims.
- How to make effective disclosures in appraisal reports.
- Handle common liability threats and actual claims properly.
- Understand the importance of the appraiser’s work file to liability prevention.
- Know how the statute of limitations works for common claims against appraisers.
- Understand how limited liability entities relate to individual professional liability.
- Know how to evaluate your clients and assignments for risk.
- Know that square footage errors are the single-most common actual mistakes for which appraisers are sued.
- Understand how to use additional language in reports directed at claims by borrowers (and sellers and other “unintended users”).
- Understand subpoenas and be familiar with exceptions to USPAP confidentiality.
- Appreciate the importance of using plain English and photos regarding special problems or conditions in appraisal reports for the purpose of reducing liability risk.
- Know where to find engagement agreement samples.
- Understand key parts of engagement agreements.
- Understand how Gramm Leach Bliley Act applies to appraisal work.
- Understand basic prohibition against referral fees in RESPA.
- Know when to report a claim to an E&O insurance carrier.
Event Information
Schedule:
August 7, 2025 (Eastern Time Zone)
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Zoom Login & Roll Call
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Class Time / Presentation
Technology & Participation Requirements
Equipment Needed:
- Computer or tablet with webcam, mic, speakers
- Reliable internet
- Free Zoom app (no paid account needed)
- Webcam: Must remain on and visible all day
ID Verification: Email a photo ID (showing name and photo only) to the Chapter office before the seminar
Zoom Login Info: Sent via email 24 hours before class (from Suzanne Brockway)
Attendance Policy:
- 100% attendance required for CE credit
- Webcam must be on the entire time
- Roll call and engagement monitored via Zoom
- ID check & gallery view screenshot will be done at start of class
Registrants will receive a separate email from Suzanne Brockway, approximately 24 hours before class, with Zoom login information. Contact the chapter office if you have any questions regarding the participation guidelines, at sbrockway.brockway@appraisalinstitute.org.
Continuing Education
This seminar is approved for 20 Appraisal Institute Points. We have applied for 4 hours approval with the Georgia & South Carolina Real Estate Appraisers Boards. 100% attendance is required for credit.