ASA Region 3 Event Recap

Wine & Wisdom Winning Story

Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way by Corinne Cain, ASA

Wine & Wisdom

Virtual Event Recap

Event Date: May 13, 2026

Celebrating: The experience, camaraderie, and professional wisdom of the ASA appraisal community.

Wine and Wisdom Event Recap

Virtual toast celebrating the appraisal profession community within ASA.

A Message from Bharat Kanodia, Region 3 Governor

ASA Region 3 members gathered virtually on May 13 for “Wine & Wisdom,” celebrating the experience and camaraderie of our appraisal community. More than 20 members from every discipline joined from across the U.S., throughout California, and as far as Bulgaria to share stories of lessons learned, challenges faced, and memorable moments along their professional journeys. While our specialties vary, we are united by a shared commitment to excellence in valuation and continuous growth.

Congratulations to Lily Yu and Corinne Cain, ASA, of the NorCal Chapter, Personal Property, Fine Art, for winning top honors—and bragging rights—for the evening’s best stories.

Thank you to all who participated in making ASA Region 3 such a vibrant and engaging community.

Yours truly,
Bharat Kanodia,
Region 3 Governor

Winning Story

Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way

By Corinne Cain, ASA

Litigation surrounding a painted-over mural was something I had never experienced in person.

I was told an appraiser working for the defendant applied extreme diminution to the mural’s value due to its condition having been poor prior to being painted over.

The mural was two hours away. I was given the names of many individuals who could attest to the mural’s condition prior to its being covered with a new design. At least each individual was honest. None of them had looked at it in years.

I drove there, arriving in a sleet event, prompting me to say to myself, “This is Arizona! Are you kidding me?”

I entered the first business due north of the mural site and posed my weird question to a woman seated behind the counter: “By any chance did you view the mural next door somewhat immediately prior to its being painted over?”

She smiled and held up her phone. “Yes, I took a selfie of me positioned in front of it.”

Her selfie revealed a mural appearing to be in excellent condition. Its coloration resembled photos of the mural taken after the artist completed painting it years earlier.

A different person provided his photos of the mural a short time before the original mural was painted over. However, as he was involved with the original preparation for the mural walls, input from an independent source was necessary.

Embracing input from your client is tempting, but it is your report, your work product. I wasn’t planning on the original mural’s condition being good or bad. I just wanted to find reliable support either way.

Corinne Cain