Appraisal questions

[Jeff Zurblis]

I am currently finishing up the appraisal classes in Georgia. I have a few questions:

What approaches should I take in getting the first job? I have spoken with licensed appraisers in my area and all are reluctant to take anyone on. I can understand why (they are training the competition). It is not like they don't have jobs there are plenty right now. I feel confident I can do the appraisals myself. The problem is. who is going to hire a registered appraiser when they can get a licensed appraiser for the same price? I have heard
people mention that a good first job might be a county assessor or county property appraiser. I don't know much about those (how much they pay and do they count towards the 2000 hours, etc.)


I have heard from other forums and such that if you are in the process of becoming an appraiser, don't do it. Some people claim that AVM's will do away with appraisers and they can't live off of BPOs. Is there any truth to this?

Is a laptop necessary? or can they be done on a desktop at home? Atleast for awhile anyway. Also, after working with the different types of software, I prefer the appraisers toolbox (simple, cheap, good user interface). Should I purchase it, or will the person I am working for have it licensed for use?

Is there software for the palm pilot that you can use with one of the appraising desktop software titles? It doesn't even have to do it all, but it would nice if you could enter the info on the palm and transfer and sync and the numbers would fill the corresponding forms.

Thanks 8) 8)

 

[Ross (CO)]

Jeff, May I suggest you go to the Newbie's/Wannabee's section of the Forum and cruise all those archived postings. Your post here shows as #1, so perhaps you may not have found all the resources of this Forum yet. You say that you are finishing classes now, so your next step is securing the "registered" license from your state. Good to hear that you have already approached other practicing appraisers in your town and area. I do not feel that the notion of "training the competition" is a prime reason you are not receiving open-arm invitations to join another appraiser's practice. As you so keenly mention, and clearly have begun to recognize, the AVM's and BPO's have changed much of the landscape in which we all can and will work. These things have reduced the total number of traditional appraising assignments available to be created, so there is not the volume of work we were seeing 1 and 2 and 3 years ago. Less-than-full concern by authoritative and governmental entities to stop or thwart the efforts by the "client pool" to coerce, influence and arm-twist appraisers is not helping anyone either, especially the general public, to whom they have expressed a commitment to protect. Yes, you will also learn that many in the public do not want to be protected, at least not at the moment they are seeking their financial "relief". They only want protection when the crap hits the fan later. It is said that the gubmint is gearing up to "get serious" about appraisers' concerns......but the government moves too slowly, always. You wonder if a laptop is necessary (to start up in appraising). While they may be useful, they are not necessary. As you still are awaiting your first field assignment.....you should be just fine sticking with the ol' method of clipboard, graph paper and pencil, note paper and pen and writing down your data, comments and observations. Best wishes as you enter this profession.

 

[Dale Smalley]

Jeff

Try the sales and marketing approach to get your foot in the door. I am suggesting you help bring in more business for the appraiser and help out with all the grunt work. Data collection, typing .....etc. Its not the easy way but can get you started. Think what would be a benifit for someone to hire you.

Good Luck

 

[Leon Stewart]

Jeff:

It seem as if you would have talked to some Appraisers prior to taking Appraisal Courses. That would have given you some information on what you was thinking about getting into, how you should go about it, and what opportunities exist.

leon