Do you enjoy being an appraiser?

[robr1]

Hi everyone, it's been years since I've posted but I wanted to get some other opinions on the state of our profession. Just from reading other threads on the forum I get the feeling that a lot of us are starting to get fed up with things. I'll be the first to admit that my passion for this industry has sharply declined over the past year or two. Between the new forms being implemented, the appraisal waivers, the never-ending bias "possibilities" that the lenders and Fannie Mae seem to be obsessed with, the AMCs constantly trying to low-ball our fees, the realtors who don't fill out MLS sheets fully (and never return phone calls), the revision requests for things that are usually already addressed in the original reports, the homeowners who think they are experts in real estate but have never taken a real estate or appraisal class, etc....the list goes on-and on.

When I got into this profession in 2001 I had been chained to a desk for years and I enjoyed getting out and meeting people, working outside, and being able to set my own hours. But the older I get (I'm 53) I'll admit that working outside in the brutal North Carolina summer heat is starting to wear on me too. The bottom line is that I'm starting to actually hate being an appraiser more and more each day it seems. I wish it wasn't this way, but I have two friends that are appraisers also and they are beginning to feel the same way.

So the question is, do you like being an appraiser? If not I completely understand obviously....but if you do still enjoy it, do you have any advice for someone who doesn't? If I was 33 or even 43 years old the thought of changing careers at this point wouldn't be the most difficult thing to do, but at 53 I feel almost like I'm stuck and will have to just ride it out for another decade or so. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or opinions!

 

[Sadie]

I do enjoy this job, even with all of the BS that can be thrown our way.

 

[swandel1]

Hi everyone, it's been years since I've posted but I wanted to get some other opinions on the state of our profession. Just from reading other threads on the forum I get the feeling that a lot of us are starting to get fed up with things. I'll be the first to admit that my passion for this industry has sharply declined over the past year or two. Between the new forms being implemented, the appraisal waivers, the never-ending bias "possibilities" that the lenders and Fannie Mae seem to be obsessed with, the AMCs constantly trying to low-ball our fees, the realtors who don't fill out MLS sheets fully (and never return phone calls), the revision requests for things that are usually already addressed in the original reports, the homeowners who think they are experts in real estate but have never taken a real estate or appraisal class, etc....the list goes on-and on.

When I got into this profession in 2001 I had been chained to a desk for years and I enjoyed getting out and meeting people, working outside, and being able to set my own hours. But the older I get (I'm 53) I'll admit that working outside in the brutal North Carolina summer heat is starting to wear on me too. The bottom line is that I'm starting to actually hate being an appraiser more and more each day it seems. I wish it wasn't this way, but I have two friends that are appraisers also and they are beginning to feel the same way.

So the question is, do you like being an appraiser? If not I completely understand obviously....but if you do still enjoy it, do you have any advice for someone who doesn't? If I was 33 or even 43 years old the thought of changing careers at this point wouldn't be the most difficult thing to do, but at 53 I feel almost like I'm stuck and will have to just ride it out for another decade or so. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or opinions!

Dude, you don't know what working in the heat is.....it was 118 degrees in PHX area today. Other than that, I love being an appraiser. I have diversified out of the AMC / GSE residential loan arena (unless they pay really well) and love working here in the winters @ 65 degrees. And I have diversified in areas where AI & value modeling can't be applied. It's only a rat race if you let it be.

 

[Dublin ohio]

I do enjoy this job, even with all of the BS that can be thrown our way.

I still enjoy it after 30+ years. I like rural work the most' Although urban and suburban work can be fun Was doing one in a PUD the other day and the neighbor cane home while I was measuring and taking photos. He asked me if I was an insurance agent and I said no I'm an appraiser. He replied "same thing". I said yea except I don't care if your house burns down.

 

[gregb]

If its a refinance or home equity loan, I don't tell the neighbor anything about being an appraiser.

 

[chad hampton]

it’s a great job for someone that’s driven enough to be self employed. Not for everyone.

 

[Dublin ohio]

If its a refinance or home equity loan, I don't tell the neighbor anything about being an appraiser.

Auction purchase

 

[Bobby Bucks]

I think the majority of appraisers don’t enjoy being an appraiser, but they do enjoy complaining about appraising.

 

[Digger88]

Hi everyone, it's been years since I've posted but I wanted to get some other opinions on the state of our profession. Just from reading other threads on the forum I get the feeling that a lot of us are starting to get fed up with things. I'll be the first to admit that my passion for this industry has sharply declined over the past year or two. Between the new forms being implemented, the appraisal waivers, the never-ending bias "possibilities" that the lenders and Fannie Mae seem to be obsessed with, the AMCs constantly trying to low-ball our fees, the realtors who don't fill out MLS sheets fully (and never return phone calls), the revision requests for things that are usually already addressed in the original reports, the homeowners who think they are experts in real estate but have never taken a real estate or appraisal class, etc....the list goes on-and on.

When I got into this profession in 2001 I had been chained to a desk for years and I enjoyed getting out and meeting people, working outside, and being able to set my own hours. But the older I get (I'm 53) I'll admit that working outside in the brutal North Carolina summer heat is starting to wear on me too. The bottom line is that I'm starting to actually hate being an appraiser more and more each day it seems. I wish it wasn't this way, but I have two friends that are appraisers also and they are beginning to feel the same way.

So the question is, do you like being an appraiser? If not I completely understand obviously....but if you do still enjoy it, do you have any advice for someone who doesn't? If I was 33 or even 43 years old the thought of changing careers at this point wouldn't be the most difficult thing to do, but at 53 I feel almost like I'm stuck and will have to just ride it out for another decade or so. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or opinions!

Never loved or hated it it's just a job to provide money to live. Work hard bust your azz and do well and it's just like every other job. I def knew I'd never sit in traffic or a cubicle so it's pretty good I'll never retire though. Every office guy I know who's retired gets a bad part time job eventually and hates that too.

 

[TC]

I loved the biz until AMCs took over.