Class Valuation, McKissock Learning, And DataMaster Form Strategic Partnership

Class Valuation, a national Appraisal Management Company, has formed a strategic partnership with DataMaster, an appraisal software company, and McKissock Learning, a national appraisal educational provider, to help appraisers navigate the recent policies and trends affecting their profession.

Together these industry leaders will work to inform, educate, and empower the appraiser community to work more efficiently and increase their earning potential. The partnership will launch with a series of webinars, each focused on helping appraisers navigate several significant changes facing the profession today: appraiser capacity, the appraiser shortage, claims of appraiser bias, appraisal scrutiny, and Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s plans to accept desktop appraisals permanently.

Class Valuation CEO, John Fraas, believes the new partnership speaks to the common goals of the three organizations. “Each of our organizations can leverage our unique strategic strengths to realize our shared goals as a collective whole,” Fraas said. “By working together and helping appraisers understand how to utilize the benefits we each bring to the table, we can greatly impact everyone in the industry—whatever their specific goals or objectives may be.”

“As leaders in the appraisal profession, we believe we must inform and advocate for practicing appraisers to ensure their long-term success. The Pro-Series Webinars are a crucial step towards delivering on our goal,” noted Renee Altier, President of Valuation and Property Services at Colibri Group, the parent company of McKissock Learning.

In addition to supporting active appraisers through professional development education, the three organizations are also working to eliminate the historical barriers that have hampered the number of new appraisers joining the field, including regularly helping to pair McKissock trainee students with potential supervisors at Class Valuation and DataMaster.

Marty Hamilton, who leads Marketing and Product Development at DataMaster for Appraisers, added, “This partnership will help lower the barrier of entry for individuals who aspire to become appraisers. We will give them the tools and support they need to hit the ground running – so they can thrive in the appraisal profession and make a great living.”

Class Valuation and DataMaster are continuing to introduce new technology into the appraisal profession—not to minimize the impact of the appraiser, but instead to streamline their workflow so they can earn more in less time. Aspiring appraisers can enter the profession, earn a competitive wage while doing so, and ultimately learn how to manage their own business by leveraging the latest technology; this approach makes the profession more appealing, especially for new applicants who may have previously had a negative perception of what the job of an appraiser entails.

“There will always be a need for traditional appraisals. There is also the option of desktop appraisals, though they may not be a perfect fit for everyone depending on the market and properties they are appraising,” noted Jo Traut, Appraisal Curriculum Program Director at McKissock. “We aim to educate appraisers about how desktop appraisals work, what data our partners can provide with their innovative technologies, and how to confirm relevant physical characteristics of the property. The purpose of our partnership and these webinars is to expose appraisers to the tools and data available, so they can make an informed decision on whether to accept such assignments.

The Pro-Series webinars offered by the partners are detailed below.

Pro-Series Webinar: Navigating Desktop Appraisals with Class Valuation’s INvision Technology

Know the risks of Desktop Appraisals and solutions for compliance.

Date: March 30, 2022, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET

Presenters: John Dingeman, Chief Appraiser at Class Valuation, and Alan Hummel, SRA, Principal at The Hummel Group

Click here for more information and to register.

Pro-Series Webinar: DataMaster – Reducing Risk and Avoiding Bias

Learn how DataMaster technology can mitigate unintentional biases in your valuations.

Date: April 5, 2022, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET or April 20, 2022, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Presenter: Jared Preisler, SRA, Chief Appraiser and Director of Product Development, DataMaster for Appraisers

Click here for more information and to register.