A Quick Guide to Appraisal Fees Mark E. Atkinson, Chapter 30 President, says: The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) does not set fees or offer pricing guidelines to its members, who are independent appraisers. It does offer ethical guidelines. It is unethical to charge according to the value of the property, or to appraise a property in which the appraiser has an interest, without disclosing the interest. ASA appraisers charge by the hour or by the assignment, with the fee agreed upon in advance. As in other professions, fees vary according to the complexity of the assignment, and with the experience, education and ability of the appraiser. Your ASA appraiser will explain the fee to your satisfaction before performing the appraisal.

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Find an Appraiser
Our members provide appraisals in the specialities of Business Valuation, Gems and Jewelry, Machinery and Technical, Personal Property and Real Estate. To find an appraiser to evaluate your property, you can browse the directory of qualified New York appraisers with websites, or search our database.

Serving Metropolitan New York
The New York City Chapter (Chapter 30) of the American Society of Appraisers represents accredited ASA members serving Manhattan (New York City), the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

Leading Appraisal Organization
The American Society of Appraisers is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary appraisal organization. Founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1952, the ASA includes specialists in all types of tangible and intangible property, both real and personal.

Schooled by Experts
There are many reasons to choose an ASA accredited appraiser, including the ASA's high standards for experience, ethics, and education. For members of the ASA NYC Chapter, education means not only exhaustive training and mandatory recertifications, but also monthly Chapter Meetings that provide the opportunity to learn from experts, such as Philadelphia Chapter member Jay E. Fishman, FASA who talked about High Profile Divorce Cases of the Rich and Famous at the February Meeting. A Managing Director of Financial Research Associates in Bala Cynwyd, PA, Mr. Fishman is the author of several books, including Standards of Value: Theory and Applications, with Shannon P. Pratt, and William J. Morrison, and Guide to Business Valuations. His talk, illustrated with anecdotes from his many appearances as an expert witness, provided an intriguing glimpse into the details of high profile cases. Mr. Fishman talked about the difficulties in valuing "star brand names," and the transient nature of their marital assets. District Director Martin J. Lieberman, ASA of Weiser, LLP appears at right in the photo with Jay Fishman. Marty reminds members that NYC Chapter monthly meetings are FREE to members (guests are $50), qualify for one hour of ASA Continuing Education Credit, and include dinner and an open bar. Check the Calendar for future events.

In the News
The members of ASA's New York City Chapter are always making news. Our dedicated professionals are in constant demand as guest speakers, visiting professors, teachers, journalists, and for radio and TV interviews.

On Wednesday, April 2, 2008, Ronald M. Gold, ASA, was the guest speaker at the B'nai B'rith Real Estate Luncheon at the Cornell Club in Manhattan. Ron, who is a NYS licensed commercial real estate appraiser, and a past President of the Chapter, addressed a standing-room only crowd that came to find out "What Are Buildings Really Worth Today? Valuing Bears Stearns And Other Properties in a Volatile Year." Ron's notes for his presentation comprise an instructive appraisal valuation or case study in how a leading ASA appraiser might value a difficult, topical property. Note to Jamie Dimon: This guy's got your number! Check out Ron's notes before making your final offer.

Fine arts appraiser Kenneth Linsner, ASA, the current Chapter Treasurer, made a guest appearance recently on NY1, Time-Warner's cable TV news channel for metro New York. Ken was interviewed by Jill Scott, who anchors NY1's Home feature. She called the segment, which aired on March 24, 2008, "Appraiser Explains How To Find Value In Your Valuables." Ken discussed what consumers should look for when hiring a professional appraiser. You can read or watch the enlightening segment, courtesy of NY1.

Past President and current Membership Chair Martin J. Lieberman, ASA, right, a CPA and Business Valuation Partner in New York accounting firm Weiser LLP, recently took a turn as author, contributing the cover story -- "Using Shareholder Agreements to Avoid Problems in Family-Owned Businesses" -- to the June 2007 issue of Big Ideas for Small Business. Encouraged by lots of positive feedback, he followed up in October with "Who Needs a Business Valuation?" for NJ Business Solutions and, most recently, with "Will the Real Business Valuation Standards Please Stand Up?", co-authored with David Anderson, ASA, in the January 2008 issued of The CPA Journal. You can read all three papers in the Articles section.

Promoting Professionalism
Our Region is at the forefront of ASA's ongoing effort to increase public awareness of the appraisal profession. As part of this effort, Frances Zeman, FASA, director of Appraisal Resource Associates, Inc., appeared recently on NBC's nationally-syndicated Today show. Ms. Zeman, who is an active Chapter 30 member accredited in Antiques & Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, Oriental Rugs as well as Residential Contents, was inducted into ASA's exclusive College of Fellows at the International Conference in August 2005. On the Today show, she talked about how to select an appraiser and reviewed some household items that might be worth more than you think. "An appraisal," she counseled, "is a legal document as important as a will." The appraiser you select should be qualified, accredited, and have no conflict of interest.