Any Realtors among us?

[Mike Siegfried]

I'm looking for insights from any of you who appraise and also work in real estate sales. I've pretty much written off this year and hope to just get the bills paid. I'm doing some remodeling and that sort of thing. But my son goes off to college next fall and I fear that if things stay slow, I'm going to be really bored with even more free time than I have now. I actually enjoy working and staying busy. I sold apartment buildings for 13 years including 2 years of managing a company and I've been appraising homes for 16 years. I'm thinking of jumping into residential real estate sales (I'm a licensed broker) sometime in 2009 as I feel the market will find it's bottom then. I think with my experience I would have a lot to offer and could probably do well at it. I'm just wondering how you balance the two businesses aside from avoiding the obvious conflicts of interest. It seems doable to me, how does it work out for you?

Thanks, Mike

 

[Workbox]

I am showing houses, and the best aspect is that I do not depend on a commission, because I still make money off appraisals. My services are based on making sure you do not get screwed. First thing you want to know is if they quality for a mortgage and for how much. don't spin your wheels. The problem that I hear, is that many do not qualify anymore. But you are in California and I know that many of the honest ones are getting hit very hard. So much for the new RE predatory law.

As for balance, I show 2 days out of the week and the rest for appraising. It does get in the way sometimes, but not much. Most clients are more worried about getting screwed. That is where the "Appraiser Skills" come to play and is a big advantage.