January business?

[TC]

Right now this month is looking to be the busiest all year. But seriously folks, I wanna tell ya.

To those of you really busy, congrats. I'm off to the best month I've had in a long time, hope it continues. About 15% have been FHA work, just a little higher than usual. Also have 7 new construction appraisals, love those, no human contact.

TC

 

[Mztk1]

You know Jallen, everyone believes a guy can hit 60 homes in a year, or rush for 2000 yards, we believe some people can run a mile in less than 4 minutes and that speed readers can get through War & Peace in less than a day, but don't ever bring up that "40 to 60 appraisals in a month" stuff 'round here. Now we all know any more than 10 a week means you're lying, ain't doing the job right, or you have the Mrs running around taking pictures and making phone calls for you - probably even typin' them, too. Heck, 8 is impossible when ya' doin' it right. Everyone know that. :new_all_coholic:

 

[McPheeters]

I was going to get a beer and some chips for the inevitable ripping, however upon further consideration I have decided to quit my automotive-based day job tomorrow morning. I'm headed for Utah!!......:new_smile-l:

 

[Joker]

To answer the OP's question, I'm having a busier January than any of the prior 3 months.

Of course, I can't do 60 per month or even 10-15 per month because of my niche market and the types of properties that I appraise. I can see how someone MIGHT do as many as 2 per day if they were all cookie cutters and there was an assitant involved verifying data and assisting with clerical duties and someone else running the business.

I can not see how a one man shop can produce that many including reviews, litigation work, running the business, verification of data, driving the comparables, and performing market research. I am interested in learning how and am open to learn. Can anyone enlighten me?

I also can't imagine 20 hour work days for weeks on end. That only leaves 4 hours to eat, sleep, relieve oneself of bodily waste, dress, shower, shave, for leisure activities (such as this forum), and family. That's a superhuman ability that no one I know has.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Screwy around here. We are already up to 39 for the year...more than we did between Sept 1 and Dec. 15 all together. I don't see it holding up but Arvest announced 4.86% interest rates today...super low for those tightwads...but my favorite tightwads.

can't imagine 20 hour work days for weeks on end

Years ago when I worked full time on drill rigs, we worked around the clock - 3 hr was about the longest period of sleep I got, and that was on the rig. Up at 4 am, do samples and reports, report at 7 am, go to breakfast, come back, catch up, nap maybe an hour, ditto, lunch, afternoon nap if you had time. Afternoon report. Work until late in the night - do it all over. Worked on stretch from the day before Thanksgiving up 'til July 4th - including Xmas. I can't handle that anymore, but to this day I do not sleep over 3 hours in a stretch unless I am really sick. Bed about Midnight...frequently up around 2 - 3 for up to an hour, then about 5, then maybe 7 or 7:30. age has caught up with me.

What is wearing on me now is burn out. I took 5 days off in July of 06. Haven't had a real day off since except I intended to take a few off on my birthday off last fall. We went to a cabin on a mountain the day before, got a call that evening - had to be back the following afternoon. Arrived in the rain, left in the fog, the clouds started breaking up as we got back home.

 

[OSU Beavers]

One man shop. I usuall get 40 to 60 a month. About 80% of which are full appraisals.

 

[McPheeters]

....I just realized there is a flaw in my plan. I'll get there, start writing effective reports based on FACTS, which will most assuredly include some form of: deferred maintenance, illegal use, for profit farm use, blah, blah, blah and promptly end up on the do-not-use list.
Heck with it, I'll stay here and fix cars till our market comes back.

 

[Alison Swain]

Good. You all are giving me hope.

And Jallen, I believe you. I cannot personally perform at that level, but I have a friend who is a form-filling monster. She has always left me in the dust. Now she's with B of A busting out 40+/month.

How about central Florida appraisers?

 

[Kevin Mc]

so far.

very busy considering the past few months. I got 15 orders in yesterday(and it was a holiday so imagine that) and I'm working 23 hours a day. Of course the 6 trainees (they work alternate days so as not to violate the 3 trainee rule) I just hired do most of the grunt work.I spend the better part of my day running comp checks,depositing the $$$ and taking sports book. Things are looking up!!!!

 

[John "Corky" Harry]

Better month than I expected however my FHA's are down from one of my best clients. One of our local appraisal mills has everyone including their mascot on the approved list. I will bet my liver with one hundred percent confidence that he does not see the interior of every subject assigned to him.