Online Appraisers Adopt USPAP

The first-ever independent professional society of Internet appraisers, the Association of Online Appraisers, Inc. (AOA), recently announced that it has adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), put forth by the Appraisal Foundation of Washington, D.C., along with a code of ethics for its members.

In an effort to standardize on-line appraisals, the newly formed AOA has already established on-line-specific report writing standards in keeping with the guidelines of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA).

The nonprofit Association of Online Appraisers (http://www.aoaonline.org/) has a twofold mission, according to founding president Mark Stuart: to promote professionalism and ethical conduct in on-line appraising, and to help its member appraisers gain additional training and knowledge.

"By bringing all on-line appraisers under one professional umbrella of ethics and conduct, we help make the Internet a more convenient and professional place to do business," Stuart said. He points out that the Internet technology that creates a virtual appraisal environment also shrinks collecting geography. "Now, with the advent of the Internet, collectors seeking professional appraisals have an entire worldwide network of experts at their fingertips—the Association of Online Appraisers will connect collectors with an on-line appraiser virtually anywhere who will adhere to the very highest professional appraising standards."

The AOA will also act as an industry watchdog, alerting members to emerging issues concerning on-line appraisal practices; promoting interchange between the public and members; and establishing a codified set of standards to be used in all on-line appraisals. Membership in the AOA is open to any individual or group offering on-line appraisals, including appraisal practitioners, appraisal management companies, educators, and related organizations.

The AOA is governed by a prestigious group of directors that includes CollectingChannel.com chief appraisal officer David J. Maloney, ISA CAPP, author of Maloney's Antique & Collectibles Resource Directory and the former host of PBS's popular Collecting Across America series. Maloney is an internationally known appraiser and former ISA officer and board member. Other AOA board members include Karen S. Rabe, ISA CAPP, Certified ISA Appraiser; Stephen J. Abt III, president, Artfact, Inc.; Kathy Kamnikar, president, Antique Networking, Inc.; Mark A. Stuart, CEO, ChannelSpace Entertainment, Inc.; and Barry Friedman, cochairman and cofounder, ChannelSpace Entertainment, Inc.

For more information, contact the Association of Online Appraisers at (301) 228-2279 or via E-mail info@AOAonline.org.