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Recently C.r.a. Looking To Transition To Az

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APPRSETHIS

Freshman Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2018
Professional Status
Appraiser Trainee
State
Pennsylvania
Hello - i'm looking for some guidance on becoming Certified in AZ. I've recently obtained my Certified Res. in Pennsylvania (Rainsylvania) where i've lived for my entire 33 yrs, but my intention is to make the move to AZ with my fiance. It wont be difficult for her to find work in AZ as she's a well-established Physician Assistant with a ton of experience in emergency medicine, internal medicine/family practice. I know that it will take some time for me to get accustomed to the Phoenix area to become geographically competent and to establish a clientele. I'm wondering if there's anyone here that can offer advice based upon their own similar experiences. How did you gain market knowledge and experience? Geographical competence? Did you find another appraiser to work under until you were comfortable with appraising in your area?

Appraising in N.E. Pennsylvania has its challenges, especially when the assignment is an unusual one i.e. Single-Family Ranch with 10 acres, private pond, horse barn, windmill, geothermal h&c, in an area with less than 100 homes within 1 mile of the subject and the nearest comps are 5-10 miles away and sold between 6mo to 16 mo ago... i'm sure you get the point. Nightmare. With regard to complex assignments, what are you guys seeing out there? What does the "nightmare" appraisal assignment look like in your service areas?

As far as finding an area to buy, we were looking around the Chandler area. I previously dated a girl whose brother was a coach for the AZ cardinals and we had the opportunity to stay with him the first time I experienced AZ. I remember he and his wife saying that home prices in Chandler were reasonable with good price to value. We'd be looking for something in the $200 - $250k range. From what I was able to find on Zillow, it seems like that certainly a possibility in Chandler. What other areas are comparable to Chandler?

Any info would be hugely appreciated and helpful

-Ryan
 
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I admit I cannot be objective about the Phoenix- Chandler Areas but you should have no problem getting your license transitioned and there should be work available with the larger AMC's.
 
RyanJTrainee said:
Hello - i'm looking for some guidance on becoming Certified in AZ. I've recently obtained my Certified Res. in Pennsylvania (Rainsylvania) where i've lived for my entire 33 yrs, but my intention is to make the move to AZ with my fiance. It wont be difficult for her to find work in AZ as she's a well-established Physician Assistant with a ton of experience in emergency medicine, internal medicine/family practice. I know that it will take some time for me to get accustomed to the Phoenix area to become geographically competent and to establish a clientele. I'm wondering if there's anyone here that can offer advice based upon their own similar experiences. How did you gain market knowledge and experience? Geographical competence? Did you find another appraiser to work under until you were comfortable with appraising in your area?

Appraising in N.E. Pennsylvania has its challenges, especially when the assignment is an unusual one i.e. Single-Family Ranch with 10 acres, private pond, horse barn, windmill, geothermal h&c, in an area with less than 100 homes within 1 mile of the subject and the nearest comps are 5-10 miles away and sold between 6mo to 16 mo ago... i'm sure you get the point. Nightmare. With regard to complex assignments, what are you guys seeing out there? What does the "nightmare" appraisal assignment look like in your service areas?

As far as finding an area to buy, we were looking around the Chandler area. I previously dated a girl whose brother was a coach for the AZ cardinals and we had the opportunity to stay with him the first time I experienced AZ. I remember he and his wife saying that home prices in Chandler were reasonable with good price to value. We'd be looking for something in the $200 - $250k range. From what I was able to find on Zillow, it seems like that certainly a possibility in Chandler. What other areas are comparable to Chandler?

Any info would be hugely appreciated and helpful

-Ryan
Click to expand...


I've been certified in AZ for a little over 9 years, and it was a grind to get any traction with clients as Maricopa County has an abundance of appraisers. I was able to carve out my own little corner by becoming competent and well versed in outlying towns others did not want to go to because they don't want to take the time to become familiar with those areas. I will tell you that the SE Valley (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa) is flooded with appraisers, and the AMC's typically pay less than the national average as they can always find some desperate part-timer to take a $275, 1004URAR assignment. It's irritating, but I set a bottom line and don't get out of bed for anything less. You have to value yourself and your work, otherwise there is not point in doing this job. Don't be that guy, becuase once those clientsknow you're cheap, they will always expect you to be cheap.

Complex assignments can vary. I've had 7000sf custom homes on 5 acres with a bass pond and 12 car garage, and detached 2000sf workshop in the middle of town. I've also had 10 acre properties with a manufactured home and high end horse facilities on the outskirts of town. It's all relative to what's available to compare it to in the area, but there are definitely complex assignments, even moreso if you get in close to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, etc. I don't go to those areas, because they just won't pay what I would charge to deal with complex properties and realtors in those areas.

As far as finding a house for $200-250k, good luck. They do exist, and it depends on what your looking for, but Chandler has become the Scottsdale of the SE Valley with Intel, Honeywell, GoDaddy, Infusionsoft, and other companies in close proximity. There are parts which will contain houses in that range, but you may be surprised as to how expensive it's become here in the SE Valley, particularly Chandler. You may have better luck in parts of Gilbert, Queen Creek, and East Mesa.

I reside and work exclusively in the SE Valley, and I'd also happy to share my knowledge and help any way I can. I'll send you a PM.
 
Doesn't a newbie to an area have only a "competitive" fee to offer a lender or mentor?

One has to do what one had to do to become established.
 
ucbruin said:
Doesn't a newbie to an area have only a "competitive" fee to offer a lender or mentor?

One has to do what one had to do to become established.
Click to expand...

By all means, do what you have to do to live.
 
I’m definitely not looking to sell myself cheap, trust me. The appraisal office I currently work for are turning upwards of 60+ appraisals a month during the busy season April - Oct, between the owner and myself. So bustin’ my *** isnt a problem, and if theres anything he taught me is that we dont accept anything for less than what we charge.
 
azbassman21 said:
I've been certified in AZ for a little over 9 years, and it was a grind to get any traction with clients as Maricopa County has an abundance of appraisers. I was able to carve out my own little corner by becoming competent and well versed in outlying towns others did not want to go to because they don't want to take the time to become familiar with those areas. I will tell you that the SE Valley (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa) is flooded with appraisers, and the AMC's typically pay less than the national average as they can always find some desperate part-timer to take a $275, 1004URAR assignment. It's irritating, but I set a bottom line and don't get out of bed for anything less. You have to value yourself and your work, otherwise there is not point in doing this job. Don't be that guy, becuase once those clientsknow you're cheap, they will always expect you to be cheap.

Complex assignments can vary. I've had 7000sf custom homes on 5 acres with a bass pond and 12 car garage, and detached 2000sf workshop in the middle of town. I've also had 10 acre properties with a manufactured home and high end horse facilities on the outskirts of town. It's all relative to what's available to compare it to in the area, but there are definitely complex assignments, even moreso if you get in close to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, etc. I don't go to those areas, because they just won't pay what I would charge to deal with complex properties and realtors in those areas.

As far as finding a house for $200-250k, good luck. They do exist, and it depends on what your looking for, but Chandler has become the Scottsdale of the SE Valley with Intel, Honeywell, GoDaddy, Infusionsoft, and other companies in close proximity. There are parts which will contain houses in that range, but you may be surprised as to how expensive it's become here in the SE Valley, particularly Chandler. You may have better luck in parts of Gilbert, Queen Creek, and East Mesa.

I reside and work exclusively in the SE Valley, and I'd also happy to share my knowledge and help any way I can. I'll send you a PM.
Click to expand...
Have you always resided in AZ?
 
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