Anyone Else See Business Drop Off To Almost Nothing?

[Kevin Little]

Only grossed 18k last year in this business.
I'm ready to go out and find a real job.
Also, what are you guys charging for single family 1004 form?

 

[J Grant]

Yup, dropped to almost nothing since the inauguration. Coincidence, or loss of confidence ?
I grossed over 80k last year , so still believe in the business but this year might turn into 8k the way it is going.

Fees here are depressed, with a range of $325-$400 for me for non complex regular 1004 form work ( I could be swamped with work If I charged lower, lots of bottom feeders around),

 

[hastalavista]

Kevin...

The more important question is what are you charging for a 1004 and what do you need to charge/what kind of volume do you need (the two are obviously linked) to stay in business?

What I get on my side of the continent and JGrant gets on her side doesn't really matter, does it?

 

[JKTenn]

Dead here in Tennessee.

 

[J Grant]

Imo it's good for appraisers to discuss what they earn for regular non complex work....my income was over 80k last year because I do a number of complex higher paying jobs in addition to the regular fee work, which unfortunately regular er
fees in S Florida may be lower than in other regions

. I am a moderate volume appraiser though when the work is there I am able to do 5-6 a week, over that is too much....I am lazy as far as driving
and keep my coverage area limited to lower half of one county ( our county is large . ) Some appraisers here cover 3 counties which I find astonishing.

Some people are more workaholic than others of course... income can vary widely in that regard. If I expanded my coverage area and was willing to work non stop I could earn twice as much.

 

[Salty]

I am very slow to almost nothing. That is most likely because I typically will not complete a 1004 for less than $400. For me, I have to be paid for holding the liability as well as the completing work. I've already started the process of moving away from residential appraising. If all goes as planned, I should be out within 3 years at the most. It really is a shame. I just got in at the wrong time. As of now, it's just not worth to me anymore. I love the job, the flexibility, etc..., but the income is just not there in my area. AMC's do not pay what amounts to a living wage for someone who pays for their own benefits/expenses and for the life of me I have not been able to find enough non-lender work. Maybe if I was a better salesman, but all I ever wanted to be was an appraiser. To think what I put my family through when I was a trainee for 3 years only to earn a meager wage of 50k pre-tax in my area is like a punch in the gut.

 

[JKTenn]

$400 for most 1004 in same county; sometimes discounted for volume work. I cover several counties, but would like to have the volume to narrow it as I am getting lazy over driving as well.

 

[Michigan CG]

Only grossed 18k last year in this business.
I'm ready to go out and find a real job.
Also, what are you guys charging for single family 1004 form?

$18k all year even at $250 is only 6 per month.

I almost billed that in one very busy month last year.

This year my fees for 1004s has ranged from $450-$1,200.

 

[J Grant]

I get $1500 (and above ) for high end complex work, I can say my fees for 1004 range from $325 to$1500

 

[BRCJR]

Dead here in Tennessee.

What area?