ABOUT ME

Born in Oregon, I grew up in California and attended San Francisco State University, where I earned a BA in International Relations. My career aspirations at the time were to become a foreign service officer. Instead, I joined the Peace Corps and taught English as a Foreign Language in Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. Returning to the US, I attended Indiana University where I earned a MPA with a focus on Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management. I moved to the Washington, DC area and tried several different careers - 6 years with NOAA as a policy analysts, back to teaching for three years, and then 12 years as a government auditor. 

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In about 2007, I started buying and selling old stuff at auction, estate sales, flea markets, etc. I quickly took a liking to it - learning about the history of objects, learning about their manufacture, what makes certain objects worth more than others, etc. I briefly enrolled in the NYU distance-learning appraisal program. Other matters took precedence at the time, however, and it wasn't until 2020 that I really returned seriously to the consideration of appraising as a career choice. 

I am now a member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and have completed their Core Course in Appraisal Studies. I have also passed the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) exam. All of my appraisal work is done in accordance with the USPAP standards as well as being compliant with all ISA standards. In 2022, I became a member of the Association of Online Appraisers.

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Joshua Stearns

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PS - I'd love to work with you. Give me a call at (571) 271-1543 or send me an email here and I'll be happy to get back to you.