Thursday, March 28, 2024 | The Latest Buzz for the Appraisal Industry

Buzz Academy Session Interview with Joshua Walitt

Joshua Walitt, Principal Consultant for Walitt Solutions

Valuation 20/20 has a lot of new features to offer appraisers this Spring in New Orleans! With our new streamlined tradeshow, you’ll have more opportunities to network with your peers, learn from experts within the field, and get valuable insider knowledge with our Buzz Academy Sessions. Valuation 20/20 takes place from March 19th – 21st and the trade show is on Friday, March 20th. We sat down with Joshua Walitt, Principal Consultant for Walitt Solutions, to learn more about the two sessions that he’ll be hosting at Valuation 20/20. Whether you’re learning about emerging technologies or about the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of an appraisal report; these free sessions are just what you need to exceed expectations.

Buzz: Can we please have your background in the appraisal and real estate industry?

Josh Walitt: I am a residential appraiser and compliance consultant based in Colorado. I provide services to appraisers, banks, technology firms, education providers, appraisal management companies, and attorneys. Depending on the client’s needs, my work includes coaching, customized training, quality assurance, continuing education, disciplinary action assistance, internal audit, and other customized projects. For appraiser clients, we commonly focus on proactive practices, methods and support, investigations, use of assistants, workflow efficiency, and technology.

To this point in my career, I’ve filled a variety of roles, including fee appraiser, national compliance manager, member of the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers, and member of the Colorado AMC Rulemaking Task Force. In 2015, I designed the Market Machine, a technological tool used by appraisers and other valuation professionals. I hold the SRA and AI-RRS designations with the Appraisal Institute, am a member of the National Association of Appraisers (MNAA) and serve on their national Board of Directors, hold a Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI) certificate, am an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, and am an Appraisal Institute approved instructor. I have also served as the Chair and Co-Chair for the Agency Relations Committee of the Collateral Risk Network.

Buzz: Can we have a general summary of Appraisal Investigations – Great Expectations and what appraisers can expect from this session?

Josh: This Investigations session is a shortened version of a workshop I offer. We take a look at real appraisal reports, and consider the good, bad, and ugly aspects of the work that underwriters, buy-back specialists, and state regulators might take issue with. It’s not only an examination of the appraisal report itself, but our work files, too – what steps should we be taking so we have real support for our reports? How do we fix shortfalls? We’ll focus on elements of a consistent appraisal process, the truth and myths of our professional standards, and what to do (and what not to do) if you’re in the hot seat with a state regulator. With experience as a state Board member, I know this workshop is particularly important.

Buzz: Can you please give more details on Technology and Assistance – Who is Pushing the Buttons and what you want appraisers to take away from this session?

Josh: This session is also based on my work with appraisers. Sometimes it’s hard to move away from “the way we’ve always done it,” but if we don’t change, we’re likely missing out on huge advantages over our competition. Technology can enhance our appraisal process – from analysis to report writing – and can lead to better productivity. Multiplying your time through training and engaging an assistant also adds critical efficiency for even greater productivity. Knowing your own value and identifying your underutilized downtime is what sets appraisal firms ahead of the rest. In the workshop, we break apart and examine an appraiser’s day, from the moment the order arrives, until the file is closed out, and every step in between.

Buzz: These non-CE courses are going to be of great value to our attendees. What is something that you would like to say to the people who are on the fence about attending your Buzz Academy Sessions?

Josh: Bottom line, these Buzz Academy sessions are an opportunity for appraisers to improve their businesses through focusing on issues we might not usually take the time to consider. Rather than wondering what happens to our appraisal reports when they get to the client’s or regulator’s desks, we need to fully understand the life-cycle of our work product now – before we face possible consequences. “Change” does not need to be an ugly word. – making our work more productive, consistent, accurate, and efficient is critical to a successful appraisal business. My workshop sessions give appraisers the chance to make a high-level examination of their practice, and to identify what is working and what can be improved — and isn’t that the purpose of going to a conference like Valuation 20/20?

Buzz: Besides your sessions, what are you looking forward to most at Valuation 20/20 this Spring?

Josh: I always look forward to the opportunity to network with fellow valuers, clients, and representatives of related industries like technology providers, regulators, attorneys, and other partners. Valuation 20/20’s format is going to give me a chance to gain the perspective from a lot of different professionals with a wealth of experiences. The connections I make at conferences like Valuation 20/20 are often career-long contacts whose experience I draw from in the years to come.

Buzz: Thank you for joining us and we look forward to your Buzz Academy Sessions at Valuation 20/20! Click here to register for your Trade Show Pass!

Have any comments or would you like to submit content of your own? Email  comments@appraisalbuzz.com.

Brent Bowen

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