Greetings from St. Pete

Merry Christmas to All from the Sunshine City in the Sunshine State

December Meeting - Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

During the second day of the December, 2008 meeting of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, administrative matters were discussed. This included discussion about a number of new rules. Some were advanced and will be published in the Florida Administrative Weekly.

Among those still in discussion are rules pertaining to expanding the Citation Authority of the DBPR and establishing Qualifications for Supervisory Appraisers. Suggested text will be published in the Florida Administrative Weekly to establish what amounts to a "time in grade" requirement for Licensed and Certified Appraisers that supervise trainee appraisers. The minimum time required as a licensed or certified appraiser will be decided at the February, 2009 meeting.

The FREAB also discussed the Proposed Interagency Appraisal and Valuation Guidelines. Comments from the audience were taken. Members of the FREAB will submit comments individually. They also encouraged licensees to submit their own.

At the request of Chair Joni Herndon, the FREAB discussed the need for Florida regulation of Appraisal Management Companies and the Appraisal Management Company Registration and Regulation Model Act. The FREAB adopted a motion to support legislation to amend Chapter 475 Part II to regulate Appraisal Management Companies. The amendments will be based upon the Appraisal Management Company Registration and Regulation Model Act, however neither the FREAB nor the DRE support the sections of the Model Act that regulate fees or provide for mediation between panel appraisers and the AMC.

A task force has prepared preliminary text for the amendments and will work with the Appraisal Associations (primarily the Appraisal Institute) and the Director of the DRE to refine the document to specific amendments to Chapter 475, Part II.

There are Three Vacancies on the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board.

• One Certified Residential Appraiser
• Two Consumer Members

If you know of an interested qualified individual, NOW is the time to get the application in to the Governor's Appointments Office.

As information becomes available about any of the above, more details will be posted.

Stay Well!!

Appraisal Update

It's been great getting back to my appraisal business! Since August 26th, there has been a wide variety of assignments; plenty to keep me busy and diverse enough to keep me learning.

The mortgage related work has been scarce, but I have been getting a bunch of referrals from real estate agents. In some cases they are looking for help in pricing a new listing. In others, the agent and the owner are interested in adjusting the price on an existing listing and want a picture of the current market. I've also completed a number of appraisals for potential purchasers, anxious about the market and wanting to make sure they do not overpay for a house they have fallen in love with.

Several homeowners have contracted with me to provide Replacement Cost Estimates to help them and their insurance carriers to determining the level of insurance to maintain. We have been providing Replacement Cost Estimates for the past 5 years. These have been accepted by Citizens Property Insurance and dozens of others companies. In some cases homeowners determined they were dangerously under insured. In others, they were paying for much more coverage than necessary. Give me a call if you have questions.

Since August, I have also contracted with the Florida Division of Real Estate as an Expert Witness. The Division of Real Estate utilizes Expert Witnesses in some of their disciplinary actions against registered, licensed and certified appraisers. It's interesting work and helps me keep up on changes to appraisal standards, laws and rules.

There is much more going on the appraisal world. Keep an eye on this space. I'll do my best to provide updates on a more regular basis.

Frank

Blog Changes

Since the Campaign is over, the title has changed and we're back on appraisal related topics and back on the quest to improve the appraisal profession.

The Morning After

The results of the election are in. Unfortunately, with just over 37% of the votes, we ran far short of what was needed to win the election.

Yes, I'm disappointed, but far from being down in the dumps. I am encouraged by the hundreds of people from Pinellas, Florida and across the country that participated in the Campaign, and sorry the results are not better.

Thanks to every single person that helped in this Campaign. You provided time, money, expertise and counsel. Your friendship and generosity will be remembered.

I'm looking forward to getting back to work.

Vote for Frank Gregoire August 26, 2008

Here are a few links to prior posts to save you the time of searching for pertinent information about the Primary Election.

List of Endorsements and Supporters - This includes appraisers, members of real estate appraisal boards and regulatory agencies and Past Presidents and current leadership of the Florida Association of Realtors. This is only a partial list of supporters as their are over 300 contributors to the Frank Gregoire Campaign

Frank's Qualifications and synopsis of Professional Experience - There is also a link to my resume

Letter from Governor Charlie Crist - Governor Crist recognizes Frank's service on the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Ken Harney quotes Frank Gregoire

Ken Harney, author of the nationally syndicated column "The Nation's Housing", quotes Frank Gregoire in his August 22, 2008 article.

Appraisers feel pressure to hit the high
numbers

By Kenneth R. Harney

The Nation's Housing

Have the real estate valuation shenanigans and inflated home appraisals that characterized the boom years disappeared from the marketplace?

Are mortgage loan officers and realty agents — even individual home sellers — continuing to influence or attempting to interfere with appraisals despite new federal rules that ban such behavior?

Ask appraisers and many will tell you: It's still business as usual. Attempts at encouraging inflated appraisals continue to be commonplace, though in some cases the techniques have become subtler.

..........

The obvious intent here, according to Frank Gregoire, immediate past chairman of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board and an appraiser in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area, "is really to find out: Will this guy play ball? Will he be cooperative when we need him?"

Gregoire says appraisers still routinely receive probing e-mails and phone calls from lenders and brokers designed to elicit the same information: Will an appraiser "pre-comp" a property with a sales contract pending at a specific price? Can a specific valuation number needed for a refinancing — which may be far out of line with current local property values — be reliably reached by the appraiser?

Part of the reason in today's market environment, he said, "is that things are tough, sales volumes are down, and some lenders know that they'll eventually find someone who'll cooperate" — often a newcomer to the appraisal field who badly needs an assignment. "It's not easy for some of them to say no, especially when they see business go to folks who everybody knows are playing the game."

Only when federal and state governments severely punish unethical appraisers and the people who pressure them "will all this start to get under control," Gregoire said. But he sees some signs for optimism: State regulators in Florida and elsewhere are cracking down increasingly on appraisers, even stripping away their licenses. And the new federal legislation authorizes financial penalties to be imposed by the secretary of housing when appraisers are found to have caved to pressure and cooked the books to inflate values.

-------------------------

Although this article appears in today's St. Petersburg Times, use THIS LINK to read it in The Washington Post.

Mr. Harney has sought Frank Gregoire's thoughts on number of occasions. Follow the links below to a sample of The Nation's Housing columns.

Appraising a Shifting Market

High Appraisals Signal Change

Lawsuit Seeks to Deflate The Puffery in Appraisals

Pinellas County Primary Ballot

Here is a sample ballot for the Pinellas County Primary Election. Truthfully, this is what it should look like when you turn it in.

Appraisal Institute - THANKS!

Thanks to the Florida West Coast Chapter of the Appraisal Institute for hosting the Candidate Forum yesterday at the conclusion of their meeting in Tampa.








It was great to see so many friends and supporters. Since yesterday was the last day to accept contributions for my Campaign for County Property Appraiser, it was particularly encouraging to accept checks and cash from some of the attendees.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

We're less than one week away from the August 26th Primary Election. The pace has not slowed and has, in fact, picked up. We continue to talk with voters and give them our message about the importance of electing a Professional Appraiser as County Property Appraiser.

Today is the last day the campaign may accept contributions for the Primary Election. If you have not yet made a contribution to the campaign, or if you would like to add a bit to the total, click that RED CONTRIBUTE BUTTON over to the left. Each and every contribution is important and appreciated.

The West Coast Florida Chapter of the Appraisal Institute has invited candidates for Property Appraiser from Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties to attend their meeting in Tampa tonight. The meeting will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Tampa.

Early Voting

This should have been posted over a week ago, but we were caught up in other things and it slipped my mind.

In Pinellas County, early voting is held in all Supervisor of Elections offices from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, the two weeks before any federal, state or county election, ending on the Saturday before the election. Municipalities are not legally required to provide early voting for their elections.


For the August 26 Primary Election, early voting will be held August 11 - 23.

Click HERE for Early Voting Locations

REMINDER

Since we are close to the Primary Election, I just wanted to remind everyone (this includes the folks at GCI Printing, dba Gulf Coast Imprinting -HI!) that all information and images on this site are Copyright © 2008 - Frank Gregoire, all rights reserved.

Sign Damage and Removal

Over the past two days there have been several reports by property owners that Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser signs have been removed or damaged. These include yard signs and large format signs, installed either by the property owner or with the permission of the property owner.

If you are missing a sign or see one missing or damaged, please call or email the campaign using the contact information in the left sidebar.

Let us know if you need a sign too.

Please refrain from damaging, defacing or removing any candidate's signs unless they have been placed on your property without your permission.

Less than Two Weeks to Go!

The August 26th Primary is less than two weeks away. Tens of thousands of absentee and "vote by mail" ballots have been delivered to Pinellas County Voters. Early voting started yesterday.

To prepare for the increased traffic on the Campaign Website, vote4frank.org, there have been some important updates.

• A paragraph describing Frank Gregoire's commitment to Restoring Public Trust in the Property Appraiser's office has been added to the Main Page
• The list of Endorsements and Supporters has been updated to include more leaders of the Florida Association of Realtors. There are now over 16 Past Presidents of the Florida Association of Realtors on the list along with the entire 2008 Leadership Team.
• The list of Endorsements and Supporters has been updated to include more appraisers, members and former members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board. All current members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board support my Campaign for Pinellas County Property Appraiser along with two former Chairs of the FREAB
• We added a Contribution Form to the "Contribute - Help Frank" page. The pdf form may be completed online and printed locally. This provides an alternative to using a credit card via the secure server.
• A link to the St. Petersburg Times "Know Your Candidates" publication has been added to the "News - Links" page

Tell a friend, family member or neighbor and encourage them to visit the site.

Try out the Contribute button or the Contribution form. We could sure use your help in the next few days.

Times - Know Your Candidates

Take a look at the "Know Your Candidates" Special Section from the St. Petersburg Times which was published Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

Pinellas Property Appraiser Republican primary

This race is unfolding in the shadow of the county’s purchase last year of the current Appraiser Jim Smith’s vacant land for nearly four times its assessed value. Smith isn’t running for re-election. His longtime deputy, Pam Dubov is in the race, touting her experience and readiness. Her opponent, Frank Gregoire, stresses the need to restore public confidence in the office. The winner will face Democrat Ben Friedlander in November.

View section HERE.

St. Petersburg Times

My response to the St. Petersburg Times: (The Times limits a Candidate's response to 200 words)

August 6, 2008

Philip Gailey, Editor of Editorials
St. Petersburg Times
P.O. Box 1121
St. Petersburg, FL 33731

RE: Reply to: Times recommends

St. Petersburg Times

Dear Mr. Gailey:

Facts omitted from your endorsement:

I have been a licensed real estate broker for over 30 years and a state certified appraiser since 1989, the first year such a license was available in Florida. In addition to holding designations from two professional appraisal associations, I hold associate membership in a third. My appraisal experience in Pinellas County exceeds 30 years.

As owner and President of Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc., I have supervised staff and completed tens of thousands of appraisals of all types and classes of real property from Tierra Verde to Tarpon Springs. For the past ten years my concentration has been as a valuation and appraisal standards expert witness.

The Governor was satisfied enough with my education and appraisal credentials to appoint me to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board. The Florida Senate agreed by confirming my appointment unanimously. My peers on the appraisal board elected me Chairman four times during my eight years of service.

Under my leadership, enforcement of valuation ethics, standards and integrity requirements were the focus of the appraisal board; something sorely needed in Pinellas County. Pinellas County deserves a Property Appraiser with an established commitment to restoring public trust in the office.

Frank Gregoire
Candidate, Pinellas County Property Appraiser

Update August 9, 2008

My response to the Times has been published and is available online HERE.

News and Updates

The August 5, 2008 Fundraising Reception at Interior Motives was well attended and successful. Many thanks to Leslie Curran, Nancy Riley, Michael Bindman, LuAnne Woods, Carol Hasbrouck, Amy Bromley and Amy Bofman for their efforts and the contributions their efforts generated.

That same evening we made an appearance at the St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists dinner meeting. In addition to Judicial and Sheriff Candidates, I made a presentation along with the other candidates for Property Appraiser. It's great to provide folks with a firsthand view of the contrast between a Professional Appraiser, a State-Certified Appraiser, and individuals with no state appraisal license.

The roster of supporters continues to grow. Appraisers and Past Presidents have been added to the list of contributors. Take a look at the updated list!

Endorsements and Supporters

James Amorin, MAI, SRA, President-Elect, Appraisal Institute

Paul Amirto, Appraiser
Ben Anderson, Appraiser
Timothy Andersen, MAI

Hazel Annis, Appraiser

Dennis Badger, Appraiser, Investigator-Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board

Bruce Barrow, Appraiser
Patricia Birch, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Harry Bright, Appraiser

Bruce Buzzell, Appraiser
Bill Coffman, Appraiser

Milton Corson, Jr, MAI, SRA
Earle "Jack" Crahan, MAI
Thomas Crockett, MAI, SRA
Bruce Cumming, Chair, Membership Admissions, Development and Retention

Susan Dailey, Member, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Paul DelleDonne, Appraiser
Brent Diehl, Appraiser
Robert Dunham, MAI, SRA
James Earle, Appraiser
Henry Entreken, MAI, SRA
Ted Faravelli, Appraiser
Robert E. Galliher, MAI, SRA, GAA
Phil Gehres, MAI, SRA
H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI
John Gillott, MAI, SRA
Karen Goforth, MAI
Bob Gorman, MAI
Joni Herndon, SRA, Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Tom Hockensmith, SRA
Andrew Hupp, MAI

Gregory G. Johnson, MAI, SR/WA

Todd Jones, MAI

Clay Ketcham, MAI, SRA, CCIM, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Patricia Kathman, Appraiser
William Barry Kelley, SRA

Debbie LaJeunesse, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board

Charles Ledet, Appraiser

Bill Mallette, Appraiser
Leslie McKeon, MAI, SRA
Steve Marshall, MAI, SRA, Past Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
James Millspaugh, MAI

Ami Milne-Allen, Appraiser, Member, Vermont Board of Real Estate Appraisers
Stephanie Monaghan, Appraiser

Jeanne Obedzinski, MAI
Evalyn "Fran" Oreto, Past President National Association of Master Appraisers

Mack Provart, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board
R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, President, Appraisal Institute

Janet Rabin, Appraiser
Gina Rascati, SRA
Jack Rawlings, GAA

Dan Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
Mike Rogers, MAI, Member, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Donald Rousseau, Appraiser
Donald Sarley, SRA, Chair, Florida Appraisal Council

David Sawyer, Appraiser

Michael Seward, Appraiser
Sam Slater, RAA

Russell Sloan, MAI, Past Chair, Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board
Eric Schwartz, MAI, SRA

John Schweitzer, Appraiser
Jay Small, Esq., Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Joe Thouvenell, MAI, CRE
C. Richard Tobias, MAI
Joe Traynor, Past President, Indiana Association of Realtors, Member, Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman, Indiana Real Estate Appraisers Licensure and Certification Board
Joyce Tubb, GAA
Joan Trice, SRA
Chris Van Slooten, SRA
Steve Van Slyke, Appraiser
Jesse Vance, MAI, SRA, Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
Carl Velie, SRA, Vice Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute

Robert Vespa, IFA, ASA
Andrew Wheaton, Appraiser
Judith Whitehead, Appraiser
Danny Wiley, SRA, Past Chairman Appraisal Standards Board
Cynthia Wright, MAI

Don Asher, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Chuck Bonfiglio, President, Florida Association of Realtors
Claude "Chip" Boring, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Todd Dantzler, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Michael Dooley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Roger Enzor, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Member, Florida Real Estate Commission
Summer Greene, Secretary, Florida Association of Realtors

Russell Grooms, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Bob Hudgens, Treasurer, Florida Association of Realtors
Dale Jundt, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Jim Kasper, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Frank Kowalski, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Mike Owen, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Marie Powell, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Nancy Riley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, State Committeewomen, Pinellas County

Tom Salomone, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cynthia Shelton, CRE, President Elect, Florida Association of Realtors
Maurice (Moe) Veissi, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Harry Vordermeier, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past Chairman, Florida Real Estate Commission
William Watson, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cathy Whatley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past President, National Association of Realtors

Richard Butler, Vice-Mayor, City of Pinellas Park
Leslie Curran, St. Petersburg City Council

Neva Conway, Esq., Counsel, Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board
Henry Faircloth, Chair, North Carolina Real Estate Appraisal Board
Dr. Robert Melby
Dr. Jack Ross

REMINDER - TUESDAY - August 5th Reception

You’re Invited to a Fundraising Reception

Frank Gregoire
for
County Property Appraiser
“ELECT A PROFESSIONAL APPRAISER FOR A CHANGE”

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
5:30 – 7:00 P.M.

Interior Motives Gallery

(click for map)
1110 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL
727-898-6061

Hosted By:
Council Members
Leslie Curran
and
Bill Dudley

Nancy Riley
Michael Bindman
Tina Harris
LuAnne Woods
Carol Hasbrouck
Amy Bromley
Amy Bofman

hors d'oeuvres – beer - wine
Please RSVP to

727-410-7065
frank@vote4frank.org

Election laws limit contributions to $500.00 per person or corporation
Contributions of any amount are helpful

http://www.vote4frank.org/

CONTRIBUTE ONLINE

In Friday's TIMES

To Friends and supporters of the Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign,

This I will post with little in the way of comments. Comments are permitted on the St. Petersburg Times website. All I can say is I am humbled by the incredible support from within this county, and across the state and nation. Thank you.

Please keep checking out that CONTRIBUTE button!

Pinellas appraiser GOP primary draws distant donations

By Will Van
Sant, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, August 1, 2008

Joe Thouvenell of Chicago backs Frank Gregoire in the Pinellas County
property appraiser race.

So does Jack Rawlings of Altoona, Pa., Dennis Badger of Lexington, Ky.,
and James Amorin of Austin, Texas.

All are private real estate appraisers who have inked checks to the
Gregoire campaign. Donors outside Pinellas have given $20,111 to Gregoire, 50 percent of his total take to date.

Full Story
HERE

August 5, 2008 - Reception - Interior Motives

You’re Invited to a Fundraising Reception

Frank Gregoire
for
County Property Appraiser
“ELECT A PROFESSIONAL APPRAISER FOR A CHANGE”

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
5:30 – 7:00 P.M.

Interior Motives Gallery
1110 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL
727-898-6061

Hosted By:
Council Members
Leslie Curran
and
Bill Dudley

Nancy Riley
Michael Bindman
Tina Harris
LuAnne Woods
Carol Hasbrouck
Amy Bromley
Amy Bofman

hors d'oeuvres – beer - wine
Please RSVP to

727-410-7065
frank@vote4frank.org

Election laws limit contributions to $500.00 per person or corporation
Contributions of any amount are helpful

www.vote4frank.org

CONTRIBUTE ONLINE

Monday's Times and the Rest of the Story

Monday's St. Petersburg Times will carry an editorial critical of a Campaign Piece mailed to absentee voters in Pinellas County.

Here is a preview.


Specifically, the editorial takes issue with a comparison made between me and my opponent.




The part of the mail piece referenced is reproduced above. It is a simple comparison with no conclusions; merely statements of fact. Frank Gregoire has been a licensed real estate broker for over 30 years and a Certified Appraiser since 1989.

Here is "The Rest of the Story"

The author of the editorial questioned me about this on Friday, July 25, 2008. In response, the following email was sent, explaining the reasoning.

I believe you called me earlier today with questions about the mail piece sent to absentee voters.

Here is some information to illustrate the difference between appraiser State-Certification and a Designation awarded by a state agency or professional association. The Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, within the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation, licenses and certifies appraisers. The standards for certification are outlined in Florida Law and Rules of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB).

http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/re/statutes.html

Florida law and rules of the FREAB must, as a minimum, meet the criteria established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation. The Appraisal Foundation is the organization authorized by the US Congress as the source of Appraisal Standards and Appraiser Qualifications.

http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/index.asp

http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/sec.asp?CID=2&DID=2

Unlike a designation, state-certification requires completion of an approved national examination or equivalent. Also required is a period of training under the supervision of a State-Certified Appraiser. Both state-certification and designations require a course of instruction. Another important difference is required compliance with statutes and appraisal standards; the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Violation of the law, rules of the FREAB or of the USPAP Standards may result in significant penalties. No comparable penalties are imposed on a designee by the designating organization.

It should be noted that the professional association for mass appraisers, the International Association of Assessing Officers, is a sponsoring organization of the Appraisal Foundation.

Additionally, there are specific standards in the USPAP for mass appraisal development and reporting; Standard 6.

This comparison was made, in part, due to an editorial in the St. Petersburg Times and my letter to the editor sent in response.

State-Certification imposes ethical and legal requirements upon the individual to promote public trust. That is part of the distinction I attempted to illustrate.

----- A Times Editorial

No more Jim Smith episodes, please
In print: Saturday, April 12, 2008 http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article453504.ece
------
My Letter: April 12, 2008
RE: No More Jim Smith episodes, please

April 12, 2008

St. Petersburg Times Editor:

The conflict of interest described in the editorial and the need for a legislative solution made obvious by the bills introduced by Rep. Hooper (CS/HB 127) and Sen.
Fasano (SB 512), shines a light on the problem of non-certified appraisers being elected as County Property Appraisers.

Citizens easily recognize the conflict of interest inherent in a county property appraiser valuing their own property. It's probably not widely known that Certified appraisers (licensed by Florida) are held to a higher legal, ethical and professional standard. The Appraisal License Law and rules of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board require certified appraisers to follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). This volume of appraisal standards was developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. The Appraisal Foundation is authorized by Congress as the source of Appraisal Standards and Appraiser Qualifications. USPAP controls the actions of certified appraisers, when the potential for conflict arises.

USPAP was developed to promote and preserve the public trust inherent in professional appraisal practice. There are at least three applicable Rules and
Standards Rules in the USPAP to prevent the situation Pinellas County citizens endured over the past year:

• The Conduct Section of the Ethics Rule – prohibits the communication of a misleading report

• Standards Rule 6-8 – requires a mass appraisal report to not be misleading

• Standards Rule 6-9 – requires the appraiser to disclose interest in properties appraised

Although the Florida Department of Revenue has not adopted USPAP, the citizens of Pinellas County expect and deserve their elected officials to go beyond the minimum required by law and avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Without a requirement for the county appraiser to be certified and follow USPAP, the legislation proposed by Rep. Hooper and Sen. Fasano is a start toward ensuring citizens' expectations of the elected county appraiser are met.

-------

Hopefully, this answers your questions more completely. If not, please feel free to call me at 727-410-7065 anytime for clarification.

Thank you for your interest in protection of the public.
------------

Although I was thanked for the additional information, it looks like I have a lot to learn about how additional information is considered. In the future, we will be working to make sure the idea we intend to convey is done so with clarity.

As always, you must draw your own conclusions. Thank you for your support.

Frank

Reprise of the Lower Left Logo

Given the number of new visitors to the site and the interest in this event, it's entirely appropriate to bring attention to this post:

About that Logo in the Lower Left

Rice outraising Flowers; Gregoire and Dubov close

From the St. Petersburg Times

In the race for Pinellas County Property Appraiser, Republican Frank Gregoire
had a solid quarter, taking in $25,736, bringing his fundraising total to
$44,506. His primary opponent Pam Dubov, who has thrown slightly less of her own
money into the race than Gregoire, took in $9,247 in the quarter, bringing her
total to $42,882.

Full Story and comments HERE.

Thanks to everyone for their support of my Campaign for Pinellas County Property Appraiser. However, to assure Pinellas County elects a Professional Appraiser as Property Appraiser, it's time to expend extra effort for the next few weeks.

There's a CONTRIBUTE button over there on the left. Please make an effort to give a bit to the Campaign. Your $25 - $100 donation helps get the word out.

THANKS, in advance.

Frank

Candidate Appearance

CANDIDATE FORUM

The NAACP

Clearwater/Upper Pinellas Branch

invites you to a

Candidate Forum

Facilitated by the League of Women Voters North Pinellas County
Assisted by members of:
Clearwater Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
and
Nu Beta Omga Chapter of Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Monday, July 21st at 6:00 pm
6:00 p.m – 6:45 p.m. Voter Registration, Vote-by-Mail Requests

and
Voting Machine Demonstrations

6:45 p.m. – 7:35 p.m. County Commission Candidates
7:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Property Appraiser Candidates
8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sheriff Candidates
at
North Greenwood Recreational and Aquatic Center

900 Martin Luther King Avenue North

Clearwater, FL 33755

View Larger Map

Benefit for Wounded Armed Forces

Although this is not a Campaign event, these are friends of the Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign, and we encourage your support.

The Cowboy Comedian is married to Patsy Gleason of Chicago Title. He presents the "Some Gave All" Tour August 20, 2008 at the Tampa Improv in Centro Ybor. Proceeds benefit the wounded warriors in the Tampa Bay Area through the Friends of the Tampa Bay Marines.

Tickets are only $10.00 in advance, $12.00 for the day of the show.

This is one entertaining way we can support troops who are all over the world protecting our freedom. This year alone, The Cowboy has entertained troops in Guam, Korea, Iraq and other places not included in any vacation package.

After being with the troops and visiting hospitals. He now brings his enthusiasm home to show everyone. Come to The Tampa Improv August 20th , and you will be helping in a very important way. Proceeds from the tickets sold will be donated to the Wounded Soldiers Program. Funds earned from this program go towards our local heroes in the military. So…grab a friend with your helping hand and have some great laughs while supporting the service men and women of the United States of America.

Details and tickets are available online right HERE. Please support this event.

Thanks,

Frank

Candidate Appearance

The North Pinellas Republican Club is is providing time for a Candidate Forum during their meeting on July 17th, 2008. Property Appraiser Candidates Frank Gregoire and Pam Dubov will make presentations and take questions from attendees.

The meeting is held at the Rheba Sutton White Chapel, 1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor, Florida. It starts at 7:00 P.M. Call 727-725-4241 for more details.

Here is some information about the Rheba Sutton White Chapel - LINK

To find the location, a map is available at this LINK

Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there.

Thank You Governor Crist!

Excerpted from a June 17, 2008 letter from Governor Charlie Crist to Frank Gregoire........



"Serving as a member of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board and as Chairman, you have showcased dynamic leadership qualities and have enhanced the real estate industry here in the Sunshine State.


Your faithful service has helped to develop exceptional appraisal regulation in the Sunshine State. Thank you for selflessly giving of your time, knowledge, ans skills to ensure quality business practices in real estate."


Copy of the letter is HERE.

In Case You Were Wondering.....

Because of some news and mail, some folks might wonder a bit about the extent of my appraisal experience. Be assured, I have experience in the appraisal of property other than residential. Although my specialty since 1989 has been 1 - 4 family residential property, I have experience in residential, commercial (office, hotel-motel, retail) and industrial valuation.


A copy of my Appraisal Resume is available in the sidebar or by clicking HERE!


Most important, however, is the fact I have over 30 years of experience appraising right here in Pinellas County and have completed thousands of appraisals of property from Tierra Verde to Tarpon Springs.


Since 1976, I have been self-employed in the real estate profession and have been a full-time real estate appraiser since 1982. I have never been employed by Pinellas County or the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

It's time to elect a Professional Appraiser, for a Change!

Campaign Website Update

The Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign website is in the process of being updated. There have been some important additions over the past few days.



Take a look at http://www.vote4frank.org/ to see some of the additions. One of the first you will notice is "the Gregoire Guarantee".


Another addition is titled "What They're Saying about Frank". This includes links to letters from Governor Charlie Crist, Governor Jeb Bush and a Resolution adopted by the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board.

Soon to be added to this section is the list of Endorsements and Supporters. Although there have been additions to the "Endorsements" page, the list has yet to be been added. Here is a preview of those names:

Endorsements and Supporters

James Amorin, MAI, SRA, President-Elect, Appraisal Institute

Paul Amirto, Appraiser
Ben Anderson, Appraiser
Timothy Andersen, MAI

Dennis Badger, Appraiser, Investigator-Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board
Patricia Birch, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Harry Bright, Appraiser

Bruce Buzzell, Appraiser
Bill Coffman, Appraiser
Earle "Jack" Crahan, MAI
Thomas Crockett, MAI, SRA
Bruce Cumming, Chair, Membership Admissions, Development and Retention
Paul DelleDonne, Appraiser
Brent Diehl, Appraiser
Robert Dunham, MAI, SRA
James Earle, Appraiser
Henry Entreken, MAI, SRA
Ted Faravelli, Appraiser
Robert E. Galliher, MAI, SRA, GAA
Phil Gehres, MAI, SRA
H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI
John Gillott, MAI, SRA
Karen Goforth, MAI
Bob Gorman, MAI
Joni Herndon, SRA, Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Tom Hockensmith, SRA
Andrew Hupp, MAI
Patricia Kathman, Appraiser
William Barry Kelley, SRA

Debbie LaJeunesse, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board

Charles Ledet, Appraiser
Leslie McKeon, MAI, SRA
Steve Marshall, MAI, SRA, Past Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
James Millspaugh, MAI
Stephanie Monaghan, Appraiser
Evalyn "Fran" Oreto, Past President National Association of Master Appraisers

Mack Provart, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board
R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, President, Appraisal Institute

Janet Rabin, Appraiser
Gina Rascati, SRA
Jack Rawlings, GAA

Dan Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
Mike Rogers, MAI
Donald Rousseau, Appraiser
Donald Sarley, SRA, Chair, Florida Appraisal Council

David Sawyer, Appraiser
Sam Slater, RAA
Eric Schwartz, MAI, SRA
Jay Small, Esq., Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Joe Thouvenell, MAI, CRE
C. Richard Tobias, MAI
Joe Traynor, Past President, Indiana Association of Realtors, Member, Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman, Indiana Real Estate Appraisers Licensure and Certification Board
Joyce Tubb, GAA
Joan Trice, SRA
Chris Van Slooten, SRA
Steve Van Slyke, Appraiser
Jesse Vance, MAI, SRA, Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
Carl Velie, SRA, Vice Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute

Robert Vespa, IFA, ASA
Andrew Wheaton, Appraiser
Judith Whitehead, Appraiser
Danny Wiley, SRA, Past Chairman Appraisal Standards Board
Cynthia Wright, MAI

Don Asher, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Chuck Bonfiglio, President, Florida Association of Realtors
Claude "Chip" Boring, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Todd Dantzler, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Michael Dooley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Roger Enzor, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Member, Florida Real Estate Commission
Summer Greene, Secretary, Florida Association of Realtors

Russell Grooms, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Bob Hudgens, Treasurer, Florida Association of Realtors
Dale Jundt, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Jim Kasper, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Mike Owen, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Nancy Riley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, State Committeewomen, Pinellas County
Cynthia Shelton, CRE, President Elect, Florida Association of Realtors
Maurice (Moe) Veissi, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Harry Vordermeier, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past Chairman, Florida Real Estate Commission
William Watson, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cathy Whatley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past President, National Association of Realtors

Richard Butler, Vice-Mayor, City of Pinellas Park
Leslie Curran, St. Petersburg City Council

Neva Conway, Esq., Counsel, Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board
Henry Faircloth, Chair, North Carolina Real Estate Appraisal Board
Dr. Robert Melby
Dr. Jack Ross

Frank Gregoire Supporters

Meet two of the most ardent supporters of the Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign!

Donald and Claire Gregoire

THANKS!!

Donald Gregoire, my Father, is the FIRST Generation Real Estate Broker, Certified Appraiser, Real Estate and Appraisal Instructor of the Gregoire family. I was fortunate to have been trained and mentored by one of the best and to have the honor of continuing the family business. Thanks Dad.

Crist is engaged

CRIST IS ENGAGED

ST. PETERSBURG - Florida’s most powerful bachelor is getting hitched.
Gov. Charlie Crist, single for nearly three decades, on Thursday became engaged to his girlfriend of nine months, Carole Rome.

(Full Story)

Congratulations, Governor Crist!!

I have some news for you all too, but will just give you a picture for the time being

About That Logo in the Lower Left

Some of you may have noticed the logo posted in the lower left hand corner of this site. It's been there since this site has been titled "Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser".

The event prompting the posting of the logo and the link to the Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws is well known to my friends, members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, any student in one of my appraisal classes, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In fact, this event was discussed the day I made the announcement of my candidacy for Pinellas County Property Appraiser.


This was during my presentation at the Appraisal Buzz Mortgage Fraud Seminar at the St. Petersburg Hilton on January 18, 2008. There were at least three reporters present; Susan Taylor Martin of the St. Petersburg Times, Shannon Behnken of the Tampa Tribune and Terry Sheridan of the Daily Business Review.

Here's the story:

Specifically, this was an arrest for Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving Under the Influence on August 11, 2002. On February 6, 2003, I plead No Contest and was adjudicated guilty. My penalty consisted of a fine and court costs of $578.00, 50 hours of Community Service, completion of Alcohol Evaluation and DUI School, one year probation and 6 month revocation of my driver’s license.

On February 6, 2003, the same day as my plea, the fine was paid, the community service obligation was fulfilled, I was released from probation and issued a business only driver’s license. The alcohol evaluation and DUI School were completed before the pleading and conviction, in September 22, 2002.

Six months after the plea, I was issued my permanent driver’s license with no restrictions.

Since the arrest, I have significantly altered my behavior and no longer consume alcohol and drive. In addition, in public presentations, course and seminars I conduct, the story of my arrest and experience is usually worked into the program, along with the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential for injuring or killing of innocent people.

This arrest occurred while I was a member of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB). It was disclosed to the Florida Governor and his appointments office when I applied for re-appointment to the FREAB. The Governor re-appointed me to the FREAB in February, 2004.

Since it's not possible for me to relate the story to everyone personally, nor give them my pitch about the dangers of driving while under the influence, I post the logo and the link on this site.


Please stay safe this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend. Let's celebrate our freedom and liberty and arrive alive.

Hug a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine!

Frank

UPDATE!!

After reading the post above, one of the speakers at the Mortgage Fraud Seminar described above emailed me on another matter. I called to provide him some contact information for a speaker for an event he has in the works. We talked about the St. Petersburg Times article and the comments I made during the seminar. What I did not know was how seriously drunk driving impacted his family. His Father in Law was killed by a drunk driver several years ago.

This IS serious, folks. You, someone in your family or someone close can be killed or seriously injured. Please be careful and be responsible. At the very least, take a look at the penalties for this type of offense. It's easy to comply with the law.

Thank you, Chris, for telling me your story.

Pinellas Realtor® Organization Recommends Gregoire

From an email sent to members of the Pinellas Realtor® Organization June 30, 2008:

Pinellas Realtor® Organization Board of Directors Recommends Candidates

The PRO Board of Directors recommends the following candidates to the membership for election in the following political races:

Pinellas County Property Appraiser:

Frank Gregoire

The candidate screening panel spent over sixteen hours interviewing all the candidates and discussing issues important to REALTORS® and the real estate industry.

The recommended candidates have impressive backgrounds and experience and they are all knowledgeable of and supportive of real estate issues important to PRO members.

The questions were very pointed and included the following topics:

County Property Appraiser: Implementing new appraisal laws, highest and best use, administrative and policy changes, and ethics.

Thank You, Board of Directors of the Pinellas Realtor® Organization!

Bay News 9 Story

Candidates aim for Pinellas Property Appraiser's Office

Sunday, June 29, 2008

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office has been immersed in scandal, but three candidates are looking to take the helm next year and make changes.

(Read the full story HERE)

Watch the video HERE

SIGNS ARE HERE!!!

In response to numerous requests, Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser Campaign Sings are here!!

We have large format signs, approximately 48" x 30" for busy streets and high visibility locations. There are also several hundred smaller yard signs available for you, your friends, neighbors and family. Call or email the Campaign to arrange to have signs delivered or to pick up a few.

We need your help to find good locations for the large format signs. Permission from the property owner is essential. Let us know the owner's name, sign location and a contact number, if possible. The Campaign will take care of installation of large format signs, but we can always use volunteers.

Land Deal Clouds County Election

Jim Smith land deal clouds county election

by Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
In print: Saturday, June 21, 2008

When the Jim Smith land deal exploded into view last summer, conventional wisdom was that the scandal would overshadow Pinellas County's 2008 elections.

But on Friday, as qualification for the ballot closed, just two candidates linked to the controversy remain: County Commissioner Karen Seel and property appraiser candidate Pam Dubov, who worked for Smith..........

.......Dubov, who has never answered questions before about the Smith deal, did so for the first time Friday, a day after she resigned her post as deputy property appraiser in Smith's office to campaign.

Dubov said she warned Smith the public would look askance at the difference between the appraised value and the sales price.

In the Aug. 26 primary her opponent is Frank Gregoire. A private appraiser for 30 years, Gregoire, 55, said Dubov should have gone public with her feelings about Smith's decision to cut a deal with the county.

.....full story here
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This has everything to do with ethics, integrity and public trust. Voters and Taxpayers in Pinellas County deserve better than an individual with the "integrity" to disclose their views only "a day after she resigned her post as deputy property appraiser in Smith's office to campaign."

Pinellas County deserves a Property Appraiser that believes "in government or business, ethics and integrity are a full time job from which there can be no vacation."

Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser Signs

Campaign signs were ordered yesterday. We will be placing large format signs and distributing yard signs starting Thursday of next week (June 26th).

vote4frank.org

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Today, June 18, 2008, Frank Gregoire qualified to have his name on the ballot for Pinellas county Property Appraiser.

You may use this LINK to take a look at the official page.



Watch this space for upcoming news about signs, fundraising receptions and appearances. In the meantime, you can help by talking with property owners and arranging for sign locations in high traffic areas. We have several, but need many more, particularly north of Ulmerton Road.


Thanks for all your help.

Governor Crist Signs - CS/HB 909 - Ad Valorem Taxation

Today, Governor Crist signed into law CS/HB 909 - Ad Valorem Taxation. This bill, sponsored by the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council and Representative Peter Nehr, adds clarification to the definition of Highest and Best Use, one of the eight criteria to be considered by County Property Appraisers in arriving at "Just Valuation". Representatives Jim Frishe and Ed Hooper, both of Pinellas County, co-sponsored this bill.

The legislation also requires important and much needed changes to the composition and conduct of Value Adjustment Boards.

The clarification to Highest and Best Use include requirements that the County Property Appraiser take into consideration the legally permissible use of the property, including any applicable judicial limitation, local or state land use regulation, or historic preservation ordinance, and any zoning changes, concurrency requirements, and permits necessary to achieve the highest and best use.

Both the clarification to Highest and Best Use and the change in the composition and conduct of the Value Adjustment Boards are important victories for Florida Taxpayers.

Congratulations!

Valuation Professionals Fundraiser

Just a quick post to show my appreciation to Joni Herndon, SRA, Henry Entreken, MAI, H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI and Dan K. Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP for their hosting and the success of last night's reception.

It was an honor to have such distinguished and well respected appraisers host the reception and humbling to for the elite of Tampa Bay Valuation Professionals to express their support with their attendance and contributions.

Thanks to you all!

Here's a couple photos.

From the Trail

June 11, 2008 Fundraising Reception

The message below was sent to several hundred appraisers in the Tampa Bay Area last week. Keep in mind, the reception is open to all. Please RSVP if you plan to attend

------------------------------------------

We are fortunate that a true professional, Frank Gregoire, has agreed to run for the position of Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

Frank is a 50 year resident of Pinellas County and has been an appraiser for over 30 years. Frank has a national reputation as being completely honest, an energetic volunteer and a tireless advocate for the public interest.

In eight years of service on the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, Frank was elected and served as Chairman four times. He helped coordination between state and federal agencies, helped rewrite Florida statues and helped ensure that Florida’s education and testing requirements for appraisers safeguarded the public. It is vital that our new Property Appraiser be able to help rewrite the complex new tax regulations, following the direction of the legislature and the public, and lead the office in a new direction.

Frank knows the values and the ups and downs of the real estate market in Pinellas County like few others. While the administration of the office is generally satisfactory, it is vital to have a leader who truly understands the laws and economics affecting real estate.

Please join us at an afternoon reception in honor of Frank Gregoire.

Henry C. Entreken, Jr., MAI
Joni L. Herndon, SRA
Dan K. Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
H. Linwood Gilbert, Jr., MAI

Afternoon Fundraising Reception for
Frank Gregoire, IFA, RAA
For
County Property Appraiser

Date: June 11, 2008

Time: 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Location: Bascom’s Chop House
3655 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater
Click HERE for Map

Cost: Cash Bar

Campaign Donations: Always Welcome!
Click HERE to Contribute Online

RSVP:

Respond via email to linwood@urbanrealtysolutions.com or call 727-410-7065

Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Frank Gregoire, Republican, for Property Appraiser

Someone ought to tell tax man that housing boom's over

A column from Friday's St. Petersburg Times:

By James Thorner

Times Staff Writer

In print: Friday, June 6, 2008

When home sales were blazing three years ago, property values soared on the blast of hot air. These days, with sales as cool as Dick Cheney at an Osama bin Laden rally, values are thunking back to earth.

Unless you're Juan Lopez, resident of St. Petersburg's Allendale Terrace neighborhood.
At the height of the housing boom in December 2005, Lopez and his wife, Joyce, paid $250,000 for a rough-around-the-edges 904-square-foot house near 36th Avenue N and Seventh Street. It was built in 1941 and suffered from renter's rot. A new appraisal values the home at $237,000.

Try telling that to Pinellas County. The property appraiser's office values the house at nearly $300,000 and taxed the Lopezes $5,600. Here's the twist: The county admits his house is nearly worthless, but claims his land alone would sell for $300,000.

Full Article

The article does not tell the entire story. The Just Value of the Lopez property increased by 32.75% between 2006 and 2007. What is interesting is the increase in Just Value for the residence to west was just 26.17% and the residence to the east increased by only 12.33%!

Three residences, all on the same block, all built between 1940 and 1941, each of wood frame construction and between 904 and 987 sq.ft. of base area. How is it that the rate of appreciation (there was appreciation between 2006 and 2007?) ranges from 12.33% to 32.75%.

It's clear that the time in NOW to elect a Professional as Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

vote4frank.org

You Are Invited!

You Are Invited

to

the Campaign Kickoff Fundraising Reception

to elect

FRANK GREGOIRE

Pinellas County Property Appraiser

Kickoff Fundraiser
Wednesday, May 28th
5:30 – 7:00 pm

Reception to be held at

THE VENUE

Tampa Bay’s newest leader in entertainment and culinary elegance
2675 Ulmerton Road, in Feather Sound

Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar will be available
Please RSVP to Frank@Vote4Frank.org by Monday, May 25
or call Frank at 727-410-7065

Election laws limit contributions to $500.00 per person or corporation

vote4frank.org

Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Frank Gregoire, Republican, for Property Appraiser

Candidate Petitions-Last Week

We're in the last drive to collect Candidate Petitions to qualify to have Frank Gregoire on the ballot for Pinellas County Property Appraiser. Rather than pay a qualifying fee of nearly $9,000.00 to the Supervisor of Elections, we are in the midst of collecting 6,200 Candidate Petitions.

Any registered voter in Pinellas County may complete a petition. It does not matter if the voter is registered as a Democrat, Republican or with no party affiliation. This is merely to make sure the voters have a choice in the upcoming election.

To get a copy of the petition, just go to the campaign website

http://www.vote4frank.org/

click on the link to the Candidate Petition or use this link

http://www.vote4frank.org/images/Frank-Gregoire-Petition.pdf

Complete the petition with your name, birth date, residence address, signature and date. Drop it in the mail to the address on the petition. Please mail to arrive not later than MAY 16, 2008.

Here's a short clip to describe why this is necessary. THANKS for your help.

Petition Signatures!

Yesterday, April 19th, two different locations were worked to obtain Candidate Petitions. At 9:00 A.M., we visited Puyear Park in northeast St. Petersburg to watch the opening of the first public outdoor Jai Alai court in North America. The afternoon was spent along the seawall in Vinoy Park talking with voters enjoying the Mainsail Art Festival.

Among the voters at Puyear Park signing the petition to get Frank Gregoire on the ballet was St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker.

We're working at another location today in an effort to get closer to the goal of 6,200 signed Candidate Petitions before the qualification deadline. You can help by surfing over to http://www.vote4frank.org/ and downloading a pdf of the Candidate Petition. Mail to the address on the petition. Please take a minute to forward the link to your friends, family and colleagues that are registered to vote here in Pinellas County. Encourage them to download the Candidate Petition and forward the link to their friends. If you forward to 20 people in your address book, we are that much closer to the goal.

Your help is essential to elect a Certified Appraiser to the office of Pinellas County Property Appraiser and restore competency, credibility and integrity to the office.

Gregoire Elected to Honorary AARO Membership

The Board of Directors of the Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials (AARO) unanimously elected Frank Gregoire to Honorary Membership during their meeting in San Francisco Monday, April 14, 2008.

According the AARO President, Bob Keith, Administrator of the Oregon Appraiser Certification & Licensure Board, "Frank, you have faithfully served AARO for many years and have made a significant and important contribution towards the accomplishment of our mission. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Association I say thank you and congratulation on this honor, which you richly deserve."

The mission of the Association of Appraiser Regulatory Officials is to improve the administration and enforcement of real estate appraisal laws in member jurisdictions.

Island of Disenchantment

Update to add link to (UN)real estate blog post:

(UN)real estate

Feel free to comment on the (UN)real estate blog. I particularly like the third post.

Foreclosures leave Clearwater's Island Estates residents disenchanted

By James Thorner
Times Staff Writer
Published Friday, April 4, 2008 5:11 PM

In a cobalt blue Bentley that he bragged once belonged to boxer Mike Tyson, Marty Donovan looked the part of a superstar real estate agent.

And he was. The Chicago native racked up dozens of home sales between 2004 and 2007, most in a single neighborhood, Clearwater's Island Estates. His $40-million in annual sales placed him at the top of heap.

Full Story Here

St. Petersburg appraiser Frank Gregoire, until recently chairman of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, said the sales bear the hallmarks of a common scam.

Buyers find a compliant appraiser to justify a higher loan amount from the bank, pay the seller a lesser amount, stop making house payments and walk away with the extra cash.

More sophisticated operators make payments for several months before they quit the property, Gregoire said. That way it looks like they were honest buyers but simply fell on financial hard times.

"Some thief sticks up a bank and gets $10,000 and the FBI will pursue him like he's the scourge of the earth," Gregoire said. "Other guys use real estate to take a bank for hundreds of thousands or tens of millions of dollars. I wish they were pursued with the same zeal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not mentioned in the article are my comments about the effect of fraudulent, cash back transactions on assessed values. Neither did Thorner address my contention that the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's office must use more diligence in verifying transactions and rate the fraudulent transfers as UNQUALIFIED.

Appraiser Evaluates Whether 303 Homes Are Overpriced

By SHANNON BEHNKEN, The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 8, 2008

TAMPA - South St. Petersburg homeowners living in neighborhoods with homes sold at inflated prices may no longer have to pay higher property taxes because of those transactions.

The Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office is combing through each of 303 sales, first detailed in a Tampa Tribune investigation, and will likely disqualify them as comparable sales used to determine the value of nearby homes, said Ron Anderson, deputy for appraisals

Full Story Here

The decision not to use those sales could have a significant impact on the low-income neighborhood, said Frank Gregoire, a private appraiser.

"It's about time," said Gregoire, who is running for the office of Pinellas County property appraiser. "But the damage has already been done since homeowners won't get their money back."

The real estate boom spurred numerous deals with unusual financing and inflated sales prices, and neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay area have been affected, Gregoire said. County property appraisers need to do a better job at weeding out these peculiar deals, he said.

"Recorded documents don't always illustrate what went on during a sale, as we've learned here."

Property appraiser candidates debate issues

Property appraiser candidates debate issues
By BOB MACPHERSON

Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH – Pam Dubov, Ben Friedlander and Frank Gregoire participated in a debate before the Barrier Islands Governmental Council Feb. 27. All three are running in the Aug. 26 primary election for a chance to be on the ballot in November in the race for Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

BIG-C Vice President and Indian Shores’ Mayor Jim Lawrence served as moderator.

Each candidate gave a short presentation, highlighting their qualifications. Lawrence then posed a series of questions that each candidate responded to.

FULL ARTICLE

Announcement

Veteran Appraiser Announces Candidacy for Pinellas County Property Appraiser

ST. PETERSBURG - Frank Gregoire (R-St. Petersburg) has officially announced his candidacy for the office of Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

A resident of Pinellas County since 1957, and a United States Army Veteran, Frank is a licensed real estate broker, a state-certified appraiser and real estate appraisal instructor. For the past 30 years, Frank has actively worked as an independent fee appraiser in Pinellas County, involved in assignments from Tierra Verde to Tarpon Springs. His clients include property owners, mortgage lenders, attorneys, relocation companies and private mortgage insurers. Since 1986, Frank has been president of Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc., a real estate appraisal firm specializing in expert witness services and the valuation and analysis of property in Pinellas County.

Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, the State Regulatory Agency for Real Estate Appraisers, he served as a member of the board from February 18, 2000 until February 5, 2008. Members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board elected him Chairman in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

The National Association of REALTORS® has awarded Gregoire the RAA (Residential Accredited Appraiser) designation. He is also a member of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers and has been awarded the IFA (Independent Fee Appraiser) designation.

A frequent guest speaker for conferences and professional associations on appraisal-related subjects, Gregoire is recognized as a source for mortgage and valuation fraud prevention, and market and appraisal information by nationally syndicated columnists and news sites, including NPR, CNN and MSNBC.
According to Gregoire: "Property owners in Pinellas County expect and deserve competency, credibility and integrity in their elected Property Appraiser. My professional record and over 30 years of experience clearly suggests that I will meet those expectations once elected. As property appraiser, I will also be an advocate for much needed reforms to assessment laws and practices, including proper application of "highest and best use" standards and changing the "presumption of correctness" currently enjoyed by elected property appraisers to a more taxpayer-friendly standard. Most importantly, under my leadership, the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office will be a model for openness, ethics, integrity and world-class customer service".