2013 already has been a busy year for MBREA. We recently completed the relocation of our administrative offices to 50 Federal St. on the 5th floor in Boston. The new location places staff in a great position to expand our services to members and focus more attention on legislative and regulatory issues. The new office telephone number is 617-830-4530.
In conjunction with the relocation of the office, MBREA opened three new locations for education. We now host classes in Danvers (Comfort Inn), Dedham (Holiday Inn) and Taunton (North Bristol County Board of Realtors). In addition, classes are offered in Springfield and on Cape Cod.
We are introducing several new seminars this year. We recently held "Appraising Historic Properties" and will be adding "Appraising Green Residences" and "Residential Appraisal Review" to the calendar. Of particular note was the first offering of "Financial Institutions Guide to Commercial Appraisals" that brought commercial lenders and appraisers into the same classroom. The best way to keep up with classes in your area is by visiting MBREA's website at www.mbrea.org.
On March 5th, we will be inviting a group of appraisers to an informal breakfast meeting in Middleborough. This will be the first of several breakfasts to be held around the state when member and non-member appraisers can sit and chat with each other before heading off to their first assignment. We believe networking time like this is invaluable for the many appraisers who work alone.
MBREA's 2013 legislative agenda is in full swing. Two bills from the last session were refilled by senator Thomas Kennedy and representative Thomas Stanley while a new bill was filed by representative Stanley. The three bills are:
* HD 1625: Appraisal management company licensing legislation filed by representative Stanley. This is a re-file from last session.
* SD 191: Rescind disciplinary actions against appraisers who completed USPAP updates, but not within 24 months of each other filed by senator Kennedy. This is a re-file from last session.
* HD 1986: First time legislation limiting the ability of the state board to investigate complaints made on appraisals that fall outside (e.g. are more than 5 years old) the Record Retention requirements of USPAP filed by representative Stanley.
MBREA is committed to fulfilling its mission to support, promote and encourage the highest level of professionalism and ethical appraisal standards, through education and communication, and to represent the interests of our members. We work on this daily for every appraiser, not only for those who belong to MBREA.
We believe that membership in an appraisal organization is important for all appraisers and encourage you to join MBREA today. You can join online at www.mbrea.org or you can download and submit a membership application. As a special incentive, use the promo code "save100" when you apply and your first year's dues will be reduced by $100. This code applies to associate membership only.
Paula Wolfe is the 2013 president of MBREA, Dedham, Mass.