Why Chose an ASA appraiser? Robin J. Erdmann, ASA, Chapter 41 President, says: Experience. ASA-accredited appraisers have a minimum of five years experience. Education. Rigorous training and a challenging evaluation are required to earn ASA accreditation, and recertification is required every five years. Standards. Following national standards, ASA-accredited appraisers provide USPAP-compliant appraisals recognized by the courts, the IRS, financial and insurance industries. Ethics. ASA appraisers conduct themselves according to The Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics established by the American Society of Appraisers. Credibility. ASA accreditation enhances witness credibility in litigation proceedings.

Welcome to the Northern California and Nevada Chapters of the American Society of Appraisers.

Leading Appraisal Organization
The American Society of Appraisers is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary appraisal organization. Founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1952, the ASA includes specialists in all types of tangible and intangible property, both real and personal.

Serving Northern California
The Northern California and Nevada Chapters (Chapters 41 and 14) of the American Society of Appraisers represent accredited ASA members serving the San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Peninsula, Santa Cruz, Reno and Tahoe areas.

Many Fields and Specialities
Our members provide appraisals in the disciplines of Business Valuation, Gems and Jewelry, Machinery and Technical Specialties, Personal Property and Real Property (Real Estate).

A Night to Teach and Learn
Like Chaucer's Scholar, the professionals of the ASA Northern California and Nevada Chapters are glad to learn and glad to teach. That makes Candidates Night an eagerly anticipated and well-attended meeting. The June 2008 edition was no exception, with over fifty Members and Candidates gathering to welcome the 2008-9 Chapter Officers and share tips and techniques about the ASA accreditation process. Nancy Stacy, ASA (right) opened the program with a structural overview and a review of resources useful to Candidates. Discipline-specific information was provided by Gil Mitchell, ASA for Machinery & Technical Specialties, James McCann, ASA for Business Valuation, Will Schnitzer, ASA for Real Property, and Nancy Stacy wrapped up with tips for Personal Property and Gems & Jewelry Candidates. A question and answer period afterward gave Candidates the opportunity to learn from Region 5 Governor, James O. Brown, ASA, past governors, past Chapter Presidents, and several Board of Examiners members, past and present.

Schooled by Experts
There are many reasons to choose an ASA accredited appraiser, including the ASA's high standards for experience, ethics, and education. In northern California, education means not only exhaustive training and recertification, but also learning from experts in related fields, such as Gary C. Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman, who is a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, first presented his Regional Economic Outlook to the San Francisco Chapter last January (2007), benefitting members in all disciplines. This year, with the economy shaken by the subprime mortgage debacle and troubled by the upcoming presidential election, Mr. Zimmerman returned in February to discuss current economic trends and forecasts in his 2008 Economic Outlook. In recognition of his valuable advice and insights, Chapter President William C. Schnitzer, ASA, at left, presented Mr. Zimmerman with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Peer-to-Peer Learning
What makes an ASA accredited appraiser different from all other appraisers? Other appraisers may have years of experience and adhere to the USPAP code of ethics -- as do ASA appraisers -- but few have the depth of knowledge that comes from mandatory 5-year recertification capped with peer-to-peer learning. For example, in November 2006, ASA Fellow W. David Snook, FASA, shared his first-hand knowledge of the coming 2007 USPAP changes. More recently, Charles B. Warren, ASA, seen at right, shared his insights on conservation easements, teaching members to distinguish the problematic from the profitable. David and Charles both belong to the San Francisco ASA Chapter, whose members were happy to be schooled by respected peers while earning ASA Continuing Education Credit. Peer-to-peer learning is a win-win for ASA members, and an even bigger win for prospective clients looking for expert appraisers.

Professionalism: Achievement & Assurance
At the January 2007 meeting, Chapter President James E. McCann (left) offered congratulations to Steven Kam, ASA on his certification as an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA). Mr. Kam, a Business Valuation appraiser, is a Managing Director in the San Francisco office of Cogent Valuation.

The ASA certification achieved by Steven is both a mark of individual achievement and of assurance to his clients. The certification is based on appraisal education, experience, intensive written and verbal examinations, and submission of acceptable appraisal reports. ASA candidates must have a four-year college degree (or the equivalent), a minimum of five years of full-time appraisal experience (or the equivalent), and must adhere to the ASA's Principles of Appraisal Practice, its Code of Ethics, and to USPAP. But it doesn't end there. As required by the Appraisal Foundation, ASA members must complete USPAP course work and qualify for mandatory recertification every five years. As Steven knows, professionalism is a work in progress.

Membership
Your inquiry about membership in our chapter or other appraisal topics is welcome and will receive a prompt and courteous reply. The Northern California and Nevada Chapters are large and growing, but there's always room for one more good appraiser! Interested in appraising and the valuation sciences? Consider joining us!

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