Is It Super Slow Or What?

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I'm a lurker, dropping by here every once and a while. I guess I have posted a few times over the years, but I'm no regular.

I started as a "trainee" in 1992 before there was such a thing as a trainee license in my state. Certified residential in 1995, I was out the door on my own as soon as I got my ducks in a row. I've taken the job (no longer a profession, IMHO) seriously, appraised alot of residential properties, in time became an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, and taught alot of classes all over the place. In the process I learned that I enjoy teaching.

Well, after 19 years I'm done fighting the underwriters (with a checklist) and the appraiser frauds crammed in my market (yes, they are frauds...it's easy to be a long-term successful fraud in a state that does not discipline renegade appraisers).

I've spent the last 20 years or so trying to not get myself, my clients, or those who rely on my appraisals in trouble...and with no light at the end of the trouble, no sign that appraising will become a profession again, I'm done.

I figure I've got about 20 productive years left, Lord willing, so I'm going to be a school teacher. I am returning to school to earn a Masters degree as part of an alternative teacher certification problem. I'm going to be a school teacher...that just makes me happy to say so I said it again. Oh, I know it will offer a whole new set of challenges, but that's ok. I've been a real estate appraiser...I can handle anything!

I'll keep my certification current, and I'll appraise a little bit...on my terms, but I'll never again depend on the income that this ruined profession can provide me.

Thank you Lord for fresh starts and brighter days ahead!

I've enjoyed what y'all have had to say. I hope you all do well and enjoy whatever you put your hand to.

KB[/QUOTE

You have that right when you say "a whole new set of challenges". I, like you, have spent a lot of hours in the class room teaching both general real estate and appraisal. While I have enjoyed that time I find the days of face to face instructing on the way out and think I have taught my last USPAP class. Don't plan to renew my teaching certification after this year.

Good luck and God bless you in your new profession. Public school teachers have a good union and a pretty nice benefits package here and I assume it is the same in your area. If it were me, I would prefer the younger (grade school age) kids.

 

[KYLECODY]

Hello Angeleyes,
wish i was back in my twenties then i wouldn't have become an appraiser but a lawyer, just didn't have the funds, knowing what i know now.

If you're wondering how i can cover six counties and perform all those reports, well I can type or keyboard ninety words a minute, we here in cali have a great freeway system, and with the gas price so high there's not much traffic any more. I drive a honda civic with close to 300k miles on it and still running strong, cause I know how to take care of my machinery.

I can also pull data out of my arse and don't stop when I'm taking pictures. My camera shoots three frames per second, i can see through walls and my disto can measure anything and everything while standing in front of the house or commercial building, otherwise I make sure i receive a copy of the plans. You know what those are, right?

Commercial props are getting easier here in a cali, and residentials are getting more difficult and longer to complete. I also have two fat kids to feed and send the wify shopping... why do I work so hard you may ask, well it's a life choice (learned that from a vetern on this board) and I'm good at it (learned this also from a board memeber) and my passion is unbelievable.

And by the way, I'm not in the fifties yet and I'm pass the thirties, so go figure. My major in college was business and minor was in statistics. Oh did I mention I'm a whiz in math and can type like the wind blows (run forest run). I don't have a friend name Jack but bubba if you must know...

I started with commerical and moved to residential cause my mentor needed help.... you should see the commercial market here in cali, especially in the Inland empire counties, they're all vacant and in foreclosure just like the residential properties... amazing.

Anyway, my fingers are tired now so I'm going to bed......

You're so amazing..I need one of those see through the wall distos.

 

[KYLECODY]

I'm a lurker, dropping by here every once and a while. I guess I have posted a few times over the years, but I'm no regular.

I started as a "trainee" in 1992 before there was such a thing as a trainee license in my state. Certified residential in 1995, I was out the door on my own as soon as I got my ducks in a row. I've taken the job (no longer a profession, IMHO) seriously, appraised alot of residential properties, in time became an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, and taught alot of classes all over the place. In the process I learned that I enjoy teaching.

Well, after 19 years I'm done fighting the underwriters (with a checklist) and the appraiser frauds crammed in my market (yes, they are frauds...it's easy to be a long-term successful fraud in a state that does not discipline renegade appraisers).

I've spent the last 20 years or so trying to not get myself, my clients, or those who rely on my appraisals in trouble...and with no light at the end of the trouble, no sign that appraising will become a profession again, I'm done.

I figure I've got about 20 productive years left, Lord willing, so I'm going to be a school teacher. I am returning to school to earn a Masters degree as part of an alternative teacher certification problem. I'm going to be a school teacher...that just makes me happy to say so I said it again. Oh, I know it will offer a whole new set of challenges, but that's ok. I've been a real estate appraiser...I can handle anything!

I'll keep my certification current, and I'll appraise a little bit...on my terms, but I'll never again depend on the income that this ruined profession can provide me.

Thank you Lord for fresh starts and brighter days ahead!

I've enjoyed what y'all have had to say. I hope you all do well and enjoy whatever you put your hand to.

KB

Congratulations on finding something you're excited about. Teaching is very honorable and oh so important. Work in "nicer" areas is my only advice after working with "troubled" kids for many years.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

wouldn't have become an appraiser but a lawyer,

an apt choice....but since appraisers are expected to be experts in anything and everything, you might be sure to pick up a civil engineering degree, Phd in Economics with a minor in statistics, and learn abstracting, architecture, and, of course, be sure to pick up your surveying license while working on that engineering degree in .... i like it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maINUv2H8A0

 

[FolsomFun]

It is very slow in the Sacramento Area.

It is very slow here. Not a single order in house right now. Not sure why, nothing is making sense. Historically we pick up right now with the weather being better an only 1 month of school left. Families start looking to buy now. Interest rates or still low. Can't figure out why the banks are not foreclosing as we have tons of them. Does anyone have any clear answers?

 

[FolsomFun]

I've never posted before, usually too busy but I'm seeking solice due to my high frustration level this week. I average better than $300 a report but the details and general amount of crap that are now required for each report are doing me in.
It is no longer about if your value is accurate and can be supported, its not even if I had crossed all my 'T's" and doted my "i's". Now its about where did i cross the "T" and what shape the dot is on my "i".
The fact of the matter is, this job is no longer fun and with the amount of time needed for each report I can't make any money either. I'm only in my 40's but I'm ready to find another profession.

Hello svahh, I agree 100%. I am no longer enjoying what I loved to do. I am so frustrated with the insane QC Rejections! The AMC's are hiring former McD's Fry-Boys to be quality control of our reports.
I have had reports rejected becuase the AMC's use a word search program. If you do not say the phrase exactly, they can't find it, then reject it. They do not read "ANYTHING" Oh-by the way, you now have a rejection which goes against your ranking, thus impacting your ability to get more work.
I am now getting, for every assignment, a request to verify and comment on why I did not use 3 comparables that they(The AMC QC Dept) provided from "Zillow" This is after I have submitted a report with a "Novel" of explination. "No, I didn't use that comp becuase it is from another county, even though within a mile and not located in the subject's golf course community. The funny part is the buyers are blaming the appraiser for not submitting the report in a timely manner, but I can't get it throught the AMC's QC Department!!
I wonder how much longer I can do this job that I used to love so much!

 

[SutnNC]

I wonder how much longer I can do this job that I used to love so much!

At this point, I kind of wonder what it took to get to "going postal?"

 

[Vermonter]

Dropped dead here last week. Got one to write and two private appraisals scheduled for next week. This is historically been when things start to get crazy here, but I keep checking the phone and internet connection to see if they're still on.

Oh well, the trout will be biting soon and been having some very heated conversations with tom turkey every morning this week....just can't talk him into bow range.

 

[Tim Schneider]

I should be in Tucson about Nov 1, 2011. Doing a few tack and horse auctions this winter down there.

Ray, are you planning on paying the people you hire down there, or will they need to take you to court too?

 

[Tom Woolford]

You forgot to twist the blade Tim.....