Applying To VA Appraiser Panel

[Trenton]

yeah their rules can be a bit more stringent, but as long as you check all their boxes, they will never hassle you like these AMCs for example. i'm a vet myself, but stumbled into working primarily VA cases, and they're my favorite client, primarily due to easy of working with, and better fees than AMCs.

 

[Tru Red]

hmm not the case in my state. more than a few times ive been sent an order where in the notes it says needs to be reassigned as i am only licensed and this sale is over 1 million. so there are licensed VA appraisers out there. that was the plan for my son.

Yes. There are many licensed appraisers on the VA panel that I assume at some point in history, were "grandfathered" in. I have no clue what the requirements are state by state but I was told years ago for my area I had to be certified.

 

[Michael P Jacobs MAI]

My experience is decades old, but I made the VA panel when I was 21 by stalking the chief which might still work. I don't recall how I learned his speaking schedule (Realtor meetings, mortgage meetings, etc.), but I was at every one with a complete application and always raised my hand to ask the question, "When are you going to open the panel for more appraisers?" It took four meetings before recognizing me he asked me to send my qualifications (BAM, I was on the panel in two weeks). He also placed me in areas others considered "unsafe" at first (Watts, Lynwood and Southgate in CA). That was 1979 when interest rates were over 20% (Jimmy Carter) - there wasn't much work at first but there were backlogs in just a few years during the Reagan Recovery.

Good luck, the VA was very-very good to me while I finished college until I switched to commercial... giving up VA and FHA was so difficult it almost kept me from making the transition. Others tell me that it's still great.

 

[Alex H.]

I've been doing appraisals for the VA for about five years (been an appraiser for 30+ years), here in Southern California. I applied almost yearly for about ten years before I got accepted, because each time I applied I was told there were no openings in the counties I serve (Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino). Once I got on the panel, all was great - until about two months ago. I noticed that the number of weekly orders from the VA started to dwindle (I used to get three every week like clockwork), and now I'm fortunate if I get one order every two weeks from the VA. I contacted the VA recently and was told that they added a large number of appraisers to their panels recently. So now it looks like I can't depend on the VA for much work anymore, since there are so many more appraisers available for VA work now. I was told there are currently 114 VA appraisers for Orange County (that's a lot). I am wondering if other VA appraisers in SoCal are also experiencing this slowdown of volume, as it's a pretty big blow to my income stream.

 

[timd354]

I applied recently and they denied my application as they said they did not need appraisers in my areas of coverage. They were looking for appraisers in only two counties in my State and I had no experience covering those areas. They said they would keep my application on file for one year and contact me if any openings would come up. After that I would need to re-apply each year.

Let me guess which 2 counties....Garrett and Allegany?

 

[TJSum]

Close, Garrett and Worchester. Wouldn't mind relocating to OC, but learning a new market, learning everything VA and finding a new place to live seems like too much to take on, especially if they don't have enough work down there to keep me busy.

 

[Carnivore]

If your a Veteran especially a Disabled Vet then you have a leg Up on everyone.

 

[timd354]

Close, Garrett and Worchester. Wouldn't mind relocating to OC, but learning a new market, learning everything VA and finding a new place to live seems like too much to take on, especially if they don't have enough work down there to keep me busy.

Garrett is a nightmare....very rural, mountainous area with few people and few homes (which means few comps) and no money with the exception of the owners of the second homes around Deep Creek Lake. Worcester is surprising, appraisals down there would be pretty easy for the most part...mostly beach condos with a zillion good comps and appraisals in in large subdivisions like ocean pines or glen riddle. The cost of living down there is also cheap (if you choose not to live right on the beach) compared to where you are now. My parents retired to OCean Pines about 20 years ago and I spend a lot of time down there...it is a pretty nice lifestyle and it is still pretty convenient to major cities and all that they offer as you can be in DC, Baltimore or Philly in a 2.5 hour drive.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I waited six years after applying before being approved for the panel. A letter from my congressman probably helped. Been on the panel since 93 (25 years) and have out lasted 3 chiefs of the construction and valuation section.

Let me suggest:

1. Ask of you can hand deliver your application and have a quick introduction to the person doing the approvals.

2. Make sure EVERY THING in the package is correct and complete. A personal photo is a nice touch.

3. Offer to work counties where they need appraisers.

4. Follow up annually. Add new work samples each time.

Without a doubt doing appraisals for the VA beats dealing with the AMCs and, at least in my market, the fees are great.

 

[Tru Red]

I've been doing appraisals for the VA for about five years (been an appraiser for 30+ years), here in Southern California. I applied almost yearly for about ten years before I got accepted, because each time I applied I was told there were no openings in the counties I serve (Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino). Once I got on the panel, all was great - until about two months ago. I noticed that the number of weekly orders from the VA started to dwindle (I used to get three every week like clockwork), and now I'm fortunate if I get one order every two weeks from the VA. I contacted the VA recently and was told that they added a large number of appraisers to their panels recently. So now it looks like I can't depend on the VA for much work anymore, since there are so many more appraisers available for VA work now. I was told there are currently 114 VA appraisers for Orange County (that's a lot). I am wondering if other VA appraisers in SoCal are also experiencing this slowdown of volume, as it's a pretty big blow to my income stream.

I cannot speak for So. Cal......but in Central Cal where I work (Fresno, Madera & Monterey Counties) VA requests have become almost non-existent in the past 2 - 3 months. Like you, I used to get 3 every week, like clockwork. Now I'm lucky to get 1 a week. It was good while it lasted. I've gone back to more attorney/private case work.