Cool Tools: What You REALLY Need to Know and Accessory Dwellings Analysis and Reporting
Instructor: JoAnn Apostol
Location: Community Foundation Campus
5049 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85711
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
8:00am-8:30am - Welcome/Registration
8:30am-11:30am - Cool Tools: What You REALLY Need to Know (CE 3hrs)
11:30pm-12:00pm - Lunch (included in full day registration)
12:00pm-4:00pm - ADU's (CE 4hrs)
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Cool Tools: What You REALLY Need to Know
Course Hours: 3 hours
AZ Course Approval Number: 347
Course Description: With the increase in technological tools for appraisers, it is imperative that they understand how to use these competently. This course will take a look at some of the available tools and how they have been misused in existing reports. Through these examples, students will develop an understanding of how the tools work, how to determine if their data is appropriate for the tool, how to interpret the output from tools, and how to comply with Advisory Opinion 37 in using the tools.
The course will cover:
- The Cool Tools available for appraisal
- The appraiser’s responsibilities in using the tools
- Case studies on the tools and what went wrong
Accessory Dwellings Analysis and Reporting
Course Hours: 4 hours
AZ Course Approval Number: 365
Course Description: Many states have passed legislation allowing accessory dwelling units in areas of higher density. Colorado and Arizona have required cities with a certain population to adopt ADU regulations into their zoning codes. This effort is cited as increasing affordability in higher cost areas but also increases the scope of work in some appraisal assignments. With the UAD 3.6 mandatory, there is a change in reporting requirements for residential assignments also. This course will look at specific definitions of accessory dwelling units by the GSEs, FHA and certain jurisdictions to assist appraisers in identifying how to approach them. Highest and best use is a critical step with accessory dwellings and the reporting changes of the UAD 3.6 present another challenge for appraisers. The course will also look at extracting adjustments using different methodologies and handling these in the sales comparison approach.
Key topics include:
- Interpreting Definitions of ADUs
- Understanding how to properly identify and analyze ADUs
- Understanding how to properly report ADUs, highest and best use and the approaches to value
- Analyze a case study with ADUs
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About JoAnn: JoAnn Apostol has been a Certified Residential Appraiser in Colorado since 2002. She specializes in mountain properties west of Denver and complex residential properties throughout the six county Denver Metropolitan Area. JoAnn taught for a national appraisal education program for 17 years which included teaching qualifying education, continuing education, USPAP and was the national appraisal instructor. She is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, a Certified Distance Educator with IDECC, and holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with an education emphasis and a minor in special education.
Appraising is a second career in which she was able to combine her first career of teaching with appraising. Before becoming an appraiser, she taught middle school mathematics for 15 years. Life events forced her to change career paths in 1999 when she discovered appraising and began training in 2000. She has five children and seven grandchildren which she enjoys spending time visiting and she plays golf weekly.
JoAnn consults with individual appraisers for USPAP compliance and board investigations. She currently volunteers with the National Association of Appraisers as the Communications Committee Chair and publishes a quarterly newsletter. She tutors students to pass the National Appraiser Exam. As a mentor for appraisers under disciplinary action, she does USPAP consulting and assists appraisers through the process. She has been featured on an Appraisal Buzzcast episode, The Appraiser Coach Videocast and The Appraisal Update Podcast with Bryan Reynolds. She is the proud recipient of the NAA 2025 Appraiser of the Year Award.
