South Texas Chapter Appraisal Institute
South Texas Chapter Appraisal Institute
1321 Antoine Drive
Houston, TX 77055
Tel. (713) 375-2737
lynn@amc-texas.com
 
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Appraisal Institute Benefits

Now more than ever, you need tools that help you cut costs, streamline your business and attract new clients. Join the Appraisal Institute to get ahead of the competition and enjoy discounts and benefits available!

INSURANCE

Errors and Omissions Insurance
To help safeguard your practice, obtain errors and omissions insurance through the Appraisers Liability Insurance Program.

Comprehensive Protection Plans and Medical Insurance Services
A wide selection of protection plans as well as medical insurance services are available through the Real Estate Appraisers Group Insurance Trust (REAGIT).

DISCOUNTS ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

Classroom and Online Education
Extensive curriculums for novice and seasoned practitioners, including AQB-approved licensing and certification courses, continuing education, and designation programs are available. Receive up to 30% discounts off all Appraisal Institute classroom and online education.

Webinars
Enjoy discounted − and sometimes FREE - access to webinars covering today's hot appraisal topics and the latest legislation affecting the industry.

Publications
The Appraisal Institute is the world's largest publisher of real estate valuation literature. More than 60 titles are published, including a full range of texts on contemporary practice issues and special property types. Receive discounts of up to 20%.

COMPLIMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Valuation Magazine
Published quarterly, each issue of Valuation magazine is packed with essential industry news and information that will help you stay ahead of the curve. Receive complimentary printed copies of Valuation magazine and the digital editions.

The Appraisal Journal (quarterly)
No other resource provides the hands-on information to enhance your business. Written by leading practitioners in the appraisal profession, TAJ is published quarterly and is a must-have for anyone in the profession. Recevet he Appraisal Journal online edition free. Designated Members receive complimentary printed copies.

Appraiser News Online (ANO) e-Newsletter
Our invaluable e-newsletter will keep you informed about the top news and developments in the industry, inside the Institute, and on Capitol Hill. The publication is automatically sent to each e-mail inbox every Wednesday.

Washington DC
The Appraisal Institute's Washington Office is the only government affairs office in our nation's capital representing real estate appraisers. Through continuing interaction with Congress and federal agencies, the Washington, DC office ensures that your voice is heard and your interests are represented on Capitol Hill.

BUSINESS TOOLS

Find An Appraiser Directory Listing
Enjoy free advertising through our online directory, which generates more than 30,000 hits per month!
Homeowners and potential clients turn to "Find An Appraiser" to search for Designated and others to handle their assignments. Your Appraisal Institute colleagues use "Find An Appraiser" for networking and referrals.
The directory is a tremendous benefit that will help you grow your business.

Free Listing in ExactBid's RIMSCentral Directory
RIMSCentral is a business-to-business marketplace for appraisers to participate in online bidding opportunities from lenders, brokers, and other consumers of due diligence services. It provides a private interface to bid opportunities, and a secure workflow and practice management system. Last year, more than 20 percent of all commercial real estate lender transactions in the US were ordered through RIMSCentral. Designated members in good standing receive a free, three-county listing subscription in this appraiser directory and search engine. Plus, contact information is highlighted along with your Appraisal Institute membership status any time you are returned in a search of RIMSCentral.

Y. T. and Louise Lum Library
An extensive virtual library is available 24/7. Select from thousands of articles, documents, industry research reports and other resources. The Lum Library staff is available to help you at no charge.

Ethics and Counseling Hotline
Free access to our Ethics & Counseling Hotline. Call the hotline at 877-777-6939 for help with questions about USPAP, business practices, and more.

MAI and SRA Designations
Need a way to differentiate yourself in the highly competitive marketplace? The Appraisal Institute offers the most prestigious designations in the appraisal profession. Obtaining the MAI or SRA designation shows your clients that you have gone above and beyond the education and experience needed for state certification. As a designated member of the Appraisal Institute, you make a commitment to advanced education, defined ethical requirements and higher expectations for the appraisal profession as a whole.

Model Engagement Letters
Use our sample agreements for services, both short and long forms, along with supplementary and explanatory materials. Developed by a project team and reviewed by outside counsel, these model engagement contracts provide examples of language that can be used for appraisal assignments. They can also easily be edited to accommodate appraisal review, appraisal consulting or other types of assignments.

Convenient Website for Ordering Your Business Cards
Created exclusively for Designated Members, the new business card ordering site offers unparalleled convenience and great value! You can order 250 business cards for $30 or as many as 2,000 business cards for $90 (plus shipping and handling fees)! Order professionally designed, high-quality business cards in just a few minutes, all you have to do is select your MAI, SRA or SRPA designation emblem(s) and enter your contact information.

Career Center
Land your next job or search for an employee.

Access to the National Collateral Database (NCD)
The National Collateral Database (NCD) is the national Web-based source of non-confidential residential property data.
Access the National Collateral Database through Data Express, an easy-to-use data research tool, which allows the user to save data as a PDF or an AI ReadyTM file (ENV file). With Data Express, users can view five years of the property's transaction history, search and select comps and download property and plat maps into a report. Receive a 10% discount on all subscription plans.

TECHNOLOGY

Discount on Site To Do Business
The Site To Do Business is an online source of comprehensive real estate information and applications. STDB features an integrated market analysis system that combines demographic information, mapping technology and reporting tools used in appraisal and consulting assignments. Other features include market analysis templates for multifamily, retail, office and industrial properties, as well as Flood maps, aerial photography and more.

NETWORKING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

AI Communities of Practice
The AI Communities serve as a convenient, online meeting place for AI with shared interests. While in the AI Communities, exchange news and share information with colleagues, check the AI Communities calendar to stay abreast of upcoming events, participate in online discussion boards, suggest a poll to community facilitators and chat online.

80 +/- Chapters all over North America and in other countries around the world.
Chapters provide a vast array of networking and professional development opportunities. Meet your peers, develop lifelong connections, and grow your business by getting involved with your local chapter.

MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Use of Designation Emblems and the Appraisal Institute Logo.
Showcase your Appraisal Institute membership and designations on your letterhead, business cards, and websites, and get help with your graphic design needs.

Self-Promotion Templates
Self-promotion flyers and pre-written cover letters are available to Designated and all others.

Assistance with Public Relations
Get help with press releases, media interviews and other public relations initiatives.

MEMBER SERVICE CENTER

Appraisal Institute Service Center
Take advantage of our dedicated service center. Knowledgeable counselors are available to help you choose the education path that's best for you, support you through the designation process, and much more. The Appraisal Institute Service Center is now open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

MORE DISCOUNTS

Discounts on FedEx Shipping and Business Services
Save up to 26% on select FedEx shipping and business services. There are no costs and no minimum requirements to take advantage of this great benefit.

Discounts on Office Max Products & Services
Save 20-70% on 12,000+ Office Max products and services.

Discounts on IREM Income/Expense Analysis Reports
Receive a 20% discount on the Institute of Real Estate Management's Income/Expense
Analysis Reports: The reports include income and expense data for properties throughout the U.S. and Canada and cover five property types.

Discounted Listing in JurisPro Online Expert Witness Directory
Receive $50 off profile listings with JurisPro Expert Witness Directory. The JurisPro directory helps feature expert appraisers to legal professionals. As the #1 website for the "Appraisal Expert Witness" search on Google, this site receives over 1,800,000 hits from legal professionals looking for expert witnesses every month.

Discount from La Quinta Inn & Suites
Receive a special discount at participating La Quinta hotels for both business and leisure stays.

Discount from Avis Rent-A-Car
Receive 5% to 20% off your Avis car rentals.

Discount from Hertz
Enjoy year-round discounts on local and worldwide rentals. Hertz offers special discounts on daily, weekly, weekend and monthly rentals for business or pleasure.

Framing Success
With Framing Success, Receive 20% off custom-designed frames for displaying designation certificates and more. Choose from four designs, all featuring single mats stamped with the Appraisal Institute logo in silver foil. No need to send in your documents the frames arrive fully assembled to accept your certificate with ease.

Special Offer on Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC) Reports
Receive a 20% discount on two of RERCs premier publications.