About Us

The Appraisal Institute is a global professional association of real estate appraisers, with nearly 20,000 professionals in almost 60 countries throughout the world. Its mission is to empower valuation professionals through community, credentialing, education, body of knowledge and ethical standards..

Organized in 1932, the Appraisal Institute advocates equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the appraisal profession and conducts its activities in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Individuals of the Appraisal Institute benefit from an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and may hold the prestigious MAI, SRPA, SRA, AI-GRS, and AI-RRS designations.

Founded in 1991, the Chicago Chapter serves real estate appraisers and professionals in allied fields in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

View Bylaws

Appraisal Institute Strategic Plan (adopted August 2021)

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to empower valuation professionals through community, credentialing, education, body of knowledge and ethical standards.

Core Values

The Appraisal Institute is:

  • Dedicated to excellence, professionalism, ethics and integrity.
  • Committed to leadership and innovation.
  • Devoted to an inclusive and welcoming community.

Four Goals

  1. The Appraisal Institute will protect and improve the value of affiliation
  2. The Appraisal Institute will provide leadership toward a unified and inclusive profession with diverse perspectives.
  3. Appraisal Institute professionals will be consistently sought out by users of valuation services.
  4. The Appraisal Institute will improve the diversity of its affiliated professionals.

Our Professionals

The majority of Appraisal Institute professionals are practicing real estate appraisers and property analysts who provide valuation-related services to such clients as mortgage lenders, financial institutions, government agencies, attorneys and financial planners as well as homeowners and other individual consumers. Appraisal Institute designated members have met rigorous requirements relating to education, testing, experience and demonstration of knowledge, understanding and ability.

Those individuals holding the Appraisal Institute’s MAI and SRPA designations are experienced in commercial valuation, including industrial, retail and multifamily properties. Those holding the SRA designation are experienced in residential valuation. All Appraisal Institute professionals adhere to a strictly enforced Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

What We Offer

The Leader In Real Estate Appraisal Education

The Appraisal Institute is the acknowledged worldwide leader in residential and commercial real estate appraisal education. Its extensive curriculum of courses and specialty seminars provides a well-rounded education in valuation methodology for both the novice and seasoned practitioner.

Real Estate Appraisal Literature

As the world’s largest publisher of real estate appraisal literature, the Appraisal Institute offers a wide range of books and other materials on subjects ranging from basic valuation theory and techniques to advanced applications. It also publishes two quarterly periodicals, The Appraisal Journal and Valuation magazine.

AI Benefits

Appraisal Institute professionals have access to a variety of benefits, including insurance programs, data resources and tools, and related business materials. The Appraisal Institute also houses the Lum Library, which provides support for the research needs of AI professionals as well as the profession at large.

Advocacy

The Appraisal Institute is active in advocacy efforts on behalf of its professionals and the industry at large. Primarily through its office in Washington, D.C., the organization communicates regularly with legislators and regulators to encourage the adoption of appraisal policies that best serve the public interest.