Members and fellow Appraisers…

CCAP continues to grow - statewide. The word is getting out. CCAP advocacy is starting to pay dividends and, as our numbers grow, more people are paying attention. They are hearing a unified voice!

2010 was an interesting year. On the good news side - Appraiser Independence was a good fight. We made progress. The House of Representatives agreed with us on; the US Senate didn’t. Appraiser Independence was left out of Financial Reform. A big mistake!

Q- What now? A- Simple, we keep working for Appraiser Independence!

Also on the good news side CCAP completed Fee Survey #1. This survey proved, beyond any doubt, what reasonable and customary fees were in California. No if, ands or buts! CCAP provided data for legislators and administrators alike. Irrefutable data. If you haven’t seen the Survey visit www.cacap.org. And while you’re at it send a copy of the Survey to your Congressman.

CCAP also made a strong and detailed presentation to the Federal Reserve Board. Did they listen? Here’s what we know for sure. If CCAP had not done what it did there was little chance the FRB would have heard anything. The letter to the Federal Reserve, with its attachments, is also at www.cacap.org. Take a look. It cameo’s a number of the big issues and positions you can get behind.

Here’s more good news - really good news. CCAP members who sign up with NDC Data save $20 per month of the list data price ($240 a year). And, depending on how they pay, they can save as much as $360 a year plus the $113 set up fee for total saving of $473. And, NDC Data user members also quality for a $100. Dollar discount on their E&O Insurance. We said we would work to save appraisers money; we have!

To date 2011 has been both a continuation and an acceleration. CCAP continues to concentrate on building membership. We have accelerated this effort because the more of us there are the more dollars we have to spend and the more attention we will get when it comes to right decisions on appraiser issues. And we certainly continue to advocate. Big steps when possible; small steps all the time.

You may have participated in the recent CCAP statewide outreach requesting that you send a letter to the Consumer Finance Protection Agency (CFPR). Why? Because CFPR was approving mortgage loan disclosure forms that did not fully breakout appraiser fees. The consumer needs to know where there money is really going.

And we continue to oppose the merger of OREA into the DRE (SB 706). This Bill is not a good idea. In potential it compromises both organizations. Realtors work on commission selling real estate. Appraisers work on fixed fees analyzing real estate. Oil and water. We can and should work together when possible but we both require independence. And remember, appraisers are self supporting. OREA is supported by appraiser fees not tax dollars. Appraiser Independence is very, very important!

And keep an eye out for a new Survey program planned to start around mid year. The working title is the AMC Review / Rating Program. This program is being developed to provide the information you need to know about AMC’s registered in our State. It will tell you how they do business. If they pay reasonable and customary fees. If they pay on time (net 30). If they are low pay or slow pay (collection problems). It they use licensed review appraisers or at least people who can read an appraisal report.

Additionally, CCAP will sponsor it first statewide event for all appraisers. 2011 & Beyond will combine the present and the Future. This year Bob Clark, Director of OREA and George Dell, ASA, MAI, SRA, will present. The concept - today and tomorrow - our present our future. Hope you can make it. All members of appraiser groups register for the same cost. If you can’t make it this year plan to be at 2012 & Beyond.

So, to our members, thanks for your support! And thanks for your advocacy. You make the difference. And to those of you who still need to join - what are you waiting for?

All best wishes,

George St. Johns, President

California Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (CCAP)