It's not what is used to be.
For the longest time I thought being an appraiser for the VA was the best thing since sliced bread. I no longer feel that way....at all.
There are some reasons I can put on here and some I cannot. An instance recently from a new reviewer at the VA prompted this thinking. He/she is NOT an appraiser, never was. But I will not comment on that.
Watching my peers getting paid $850 to $1,500 or more while I'm getting $600 is one reason. Try to get a bump up you say? 0% luck with that in 3 years.
Being able to pick and choose which jobs you take is not a possibilty doing VA appraisals. You do what they assign you. You might get a "mulligan" once in a great while but you'd better be the spouse or brother of the borrower to get out of anything.
You have to take on the ENTIRE county or counties. Nevermind it could be a 2 hour drive each way to the other end of a county. NO......you don't get extra for mileage.
More than half the lenders are taking 60+ days to pay. And the VA (if they feel like it) after 60 days "MIGHT" send them a letter to assist in getting paid. It's better than no help but not by much.
There are some good things, sure. But getting $600 for a $1,500 job is getting real old, real fast.
There will be an opening for a VA panel appraiser soon. You can have it. I have more than enough not to have to bother with the VA anymore.
