Ultimate Workfile: What, When, Why
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 | from 10AM – 2PM Central Time
Instructor: Josh Walitt
$99.95
COURSE APPROVAL INFORMATION
AL – Course #CO2850
AR – Course #AE033
*AZ – Accepts
CA – Course #2310501051
CO – Course #2509
GA – Course #76545
FL – Course #3706
HI – Course #23-302
*ID—Accepts
IL – Course #575.010652
*IA—Accepts
IN – APPROVED
KS – Course #466.C24.R
KY – APPROVED
LA – Course #A0041
MD – APPROVED
MA – Course #1360030
MI – Course #6023
MN – Course #1035513
MS – Course #50512
MO – APPROVED
*MT – Accepts
NE – Course #2233481.33
NH – APPROVED
NM – Course #4285
NV – Course #CE.0009723-A
NJ – Course #2023-212
NY – Course #A5645-04
NC – Course #4578
OH – Course #Q04301906A 23
OK – Course #725
OR – Course #APEL-C-0523-0057
PA – APPROVED
SC – Course #CE2115
TN – Course #2690
TX – Course #46988
UT – Course #AC230712
VA – APPROVED
WA – Course #A23025704
WI – PENDING
WV – APPROVED
*States with an asterisk will accept CE which is approved in the state where it is being taught.
If you don’t see your state listed, CLICK HERE to send an email to our education director, Ben Maxwell, and request approval or ask questions.
Course Description
What information belongs in an appraiser’s workfile, and why? In this course, we’ll show you a great system and thorough checklist for creating bullet-proof workfiles. We’ll review the USPAP FAQ and Record-Keeping Rule, discuss what information you need to include (and why), and talk about how to organize each component within the workfile. And we’ll analyze real-world scenarios—including examples of good, bad, and ugly workfiles—so you can avoid common record-keeping mistakes.
For appraisers reviewing best practices or trainees hoping to enter the field, this course will help you manage and maintain USPAP-compliant workfiles. They’re your first line of defense.
Course Objectives
Our objective is to connect the principles of USPAP’s record-keeping requirements with an appraiser’s everyday practice by analyzing an appraiser’s workfile in detail, including best practices for what information to include and how to organize it.
At the end of this course, a student will be able to:
· Evaluate the purpose of the workfile
· Explain the overall objective and reasons for keeping a workfile
· Identify, locate, and explain the key requirements of the Record Keeping Rule and the related portion of the Ethics Rule
· Classify and differentiate the components and common elements of a workfile
· Employ and recognize the connection the work file makes between development and reporting
· Identify the supporting evidence for types of opinions and conclusions
· Locate, identify, and apply workfile-related FAQs
· Recognize the danger of an incompleteworkfile
· Understand why a complete workfile is necessary
· Execute the steps necessary to assemble a complete workfile through examining samples
· Understand and explain why checklists can help identify deficient workfile practices
· Apply best practices to saving evidence of research and communication
Course Policies
Refund/Cancellation/Transfer Policy:
- Refund requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of class. Cancellation must be in writing. No refunds will be given within 24 hours of class start.
- If you register within 24 hours of Class Start, you will only be eligible for a transfer. This transfer credit expires 30 days after the original class date. After this 30 day period, we are unable to issue a transfer, and you will forfeit the class cost.
CE Requirements/Attendance Policy:
- The class is offered via Zoom Meeting.
- Computer audio/video, reliable internet connection, and 100% attendance are required for CE credit.
- We must be able to see and hear your camera, and driving or riding in a car is not allowed during class. These are state requirements for CE.
Software/System Requirements:
Class is offered via Zoom Meeting.
- If you’re new to Zoom, the links below may be helpful:
- Click the following link to download Zoom: https://
zoom.us/download - Click the following link to launch a Zoom Test Meeting: https://zoom.us/test
- Click the following link to download Zoom: https://
TIME ZONE REMINDER:
*KNOW YOUR TIME ZONE: We’reon CENTRAL TIME, and class starts at 10AM CT sharp!
If you are on Pacific Time, Classis from 8AM-12PM PT (doors open at 7am)
If you are on Mountain Time, Classis from 9AM-1PM MT (doors open at 8am)
If you are on Central Time, Classis from 10AM-2PM CT (doors open at 9am)
If you are on Eastern Time, Classis from 11AM-3PM ET (doors open at 10am)
Everything you need to know about our live virtual class offerings via Zoom
How do I register?
- Add any live-zoom course(s) to your cart and proceed to checkout.
- IMPORTANT: Be sure to provide the correct state and license number information during checkout, as this will be automatically pulled into our system for your completion certificate and reporting to your state.
- Once purchased, you’ll be automatically registered for the Zoom class meeting and you will receive a receipt via email.
What happens once I purchase?
- You will receive a confirmation email with your JOIN MEETING link (save this! This is the link you will click to join the zoom class meeting on Class Day.)
- If this is your first purchase with us, you will also receive an email with your Student Login Credentials, which give you access to your Student Account; Your student account is where you will access any online courses or completion certificates.
- If your Zoom Class comes with Course materials, they will be made available in your student account and also emailed to you in reminder emails (see “What to expect on class day.” below)
- If you don’t see your confirmation email (and you’ve checked your spam folder), just email us (we make typos too, and we’re happy to help).
- We highly recommend you download zoom for an even better in-class experience.
- You’ll receive reminder emails the day before and the morning of class. (NOTE: If you register within 24 hours of class start time, you might not receive reminder emails.)
- Be sure to click the Zoom meeting link and join the meeting 30 minutes before class start time, so we can get you checked in.
What do I need prior to class?
- Check your time zone! All classes are listed in CENTRAL TIME, so adjust your calendar accordingly. Our reminder emails the day before and the morning of class will list the correct times for all time zones, for reference.
- Download any course materials. You can find all appropriate documents for your course under “My Courses” in your student account.
- If you are taking a USPAP update course, have the current USPAP publication on hand.
- It is required that you keep your camera on for the duration of the class. Be sure to have a device with a working webcam, audio, and microphone, as well as good internet access.
Use the Zoom meeting link to join the class 30 minutes before class start time, so we can get you checked in.
Where is my link to join class?
- You should have received a confirmation email immediately after purchase, as well as reminder emails the day before and the morning of class. Your Zoom link to join class can be found in any of those emails.
- Be sure to check your spam folder if it is not in your inbox.
What should I expect on class day?
- Remember to use the Zoom meeting link to join class at least 30 minutes before the official start time, so we can get you checked in.
- Zoom Confirmation Emails (how you join the class): We will resend everyone’s Zoom confirmation emails 1 hour prior to class start
- Class Reminder emails with handouts (if any) and reminders: We send reminder emails on the day before and the day of class (unless class falls on a Monday or Friday; we don’t work weekends)
- Reminder emails will include: Any class handouts (if applicable), important expectations and requirements; REMINDERS ABOUT KNOWING YOUR TIME ZONE (we’re on Central Time); and student support / instructor contact information.
- Remember: you must be present with your camera on 100% of the class time. (This is a state requirement, not ours. We cannot make exceptions.)
What is your refund/cancellation Policy if I have to miss the class?
- Refunds require a 24-hour written notice.
- BUT if you miss class and forget to notify us, no worries! Just reach out to our team, and we’re happy to transfer you to a later class.
- We can only provide one transfer, so if you miss the second class, you will not have the option for a transfer and will forfeit the purchase cost.
What’s required for CE credit?
- You must be present with your camera on for the duration of class. (This is a state requirement, not ours. We cannot make exceptions.)
- You must be visible and prepared to answer instructor questions (please do not drive, work on other tasks, walk your dog, or anything else that might be distracting to the class).
- If you have an emergency or are otherwise prevented from being present and visible on camera, please contact one of the class moderators.
What features should I be aware of on the Zoom platform?
- Chat Feature
- Raise Hand Feature (alt + Y is the keyboard shortcut, or click the Reactions button)
- Mute/Unmute & Stop Video (you should only turn cameras off when on breaks)
- In addition to the live instructor, we’ll have a team member available to help everything run smoothly during class.
What happens after class ends?
- Ben Maxwell, our Education Director, will email a Course Evaluation link to all students immediately after class.
- Once you complete the evaluation, you’ll receive an emailed certificate from our LMS. Please keep in mind that failure to complete this survey will delay your certificate (it is REQUIRED).
- If you have any issues with the automated certificate, just reply to Ben’s Course Evaluation email and request a PDF copy.
- If you’re in a state that requires the provider to report on your behalf, we will report your CE after class. Please give us 24 hours to do so. (States in which we report on your behalf include: FL, GA, IL, NC, NV, OH, SC, TX, and UT.)
- If you have any questions, the instructor and class moderator will stick around for a few minutes after class ends.
How can I reach out if I still have questions?
- Feel free to reach out to our team Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. Call us at (615) 965-5705 or email us at support@appraiserelearning.com | support@agentelearning.com
Course Author
Josh Walitt
Joshua Walitt is the principal consultant for Walitt Solutions. He provides short- and long-term consulting services related to compliance, valuation, education, review and investigations. Clients include lending institutions, appraisers, appraisal management companies, attorneys, education providers
and regulators.
With over 20-years of experience, Walitt’s skillset includes appraisal, banking, regulations, policy, instruction, licensing and enforcement. His core goal is to foster a clients’ efficiency, accuracy, compliance and growth through appropriate methodology and technology, sound reasoning, communication skills and proper oversight.
He writes for industry publications and speaks at events such as the Appraisal Institute’s Annual Conference, Appraisal Summit and Expo, Valuation Expo, Appraiser’s Conference and Trade Show, Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials, and other client and industry conferences. Walitt designs seminars and continuing education courses for online and classroom delivery.
In 2013, he was the appraiser member of Colorado’s AMC Rulemaking Taskforce. In 2015, Walitt designed the Market Machine, a market analysis and modeling tool used by appraisers throughout the United States. He has also provided valuation consulting for international applications. Walitt has been recognized as an expert witness in local and federal court.
He was the 2021 Vice President of the National Association of Appraisers. Walitt is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, holds the SRA & AI-RRS designations with the Appraisal Institute, is a member of the National Association of Appraisers (MNAA), holds a Certified Distance Education Instructor (CDEI) certificate, has served on the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers and he is an Appraisal Institute approved instructor.
