Appraiser Earnings Again!

[mark peters]

Alright, now for the real answers please.

I know income fluctuates. I know as appraisers, we can't forsee how many assignments are going to come are way. I know the market fluctuates. I know interest rates fluctuate. I know as a fee appraiser it depends on how much the appraiser you work for is willing to give up. I know it depends on how much you charge the client. I know, I know, I know, I know. (whew!) I am just trying to gain a little tiny bit of info as my daughter is moving with mom to California and I am just "considering" the move. Oh and by the way, the reason that I ask this question is that I live in Las Vegas and it is a virtual paradise for appraiser's. Tons of data, plenty of work, and easy to get around. I probably won't make the move, but if anybody out there has any info on this topic , please let me know. :lol:

So let me get the ball rolling.

I don't know of any appraiser here in Las Vegas that makes $15,000 as Charlotte Dixon said. Heck, I can make more than that sittin at a blackjack table on the weekends. Why be an appraiser? Oh I'm sorry, I do it because I love it! I appraise. Therefore, I am

The average salary (that's right I said AVERAGE a fairly busy shop, your income can go from low 6 to upwards of mid 6 figures.

There now. I did it! Let's see if you guys can cough up some answers for me. Come on now, step outside of that little appraiser box we all sit in and muster up an honest to god answer. Remember folks your talking to an appraiser. I am usually the one who gives those vague and ambiguous answers, not receiving them. ha ha

Respectfully,

Mark :wink:

Remember, I am talking about the Riverside County area. Thanks

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

6 is not a good number.....head East

ambiguous, I am, and will remain...

 

[TEL2002]

Mark,

I'm from OH, but does it not boil down to how many can you do in a week times the fee you charge minus expenses. I would call a couple of AMC's and find out what the 'low' fees are in that area. Then you can calculate a 'worst case' total income. I would think the level of work is about the same across the country...the more people...the greater need for appriasals.

Good luck with your move.

Terry

 

[Paul Ness MAI]

The numbers you mentioned are equivalent to what I see here in Pennsylvania. But here's another big factor to consider when examining fees in that region - cost of living versus appraisal fees. I recently had to have a vacant lot appraised in La Quinta, which is in Riverside County (a very rare situation for me as a commercial review appraiser in PA). I dropped the phone when the appraiser told me the fee was literally twice what it is here in PA. However, the cost of living is much higher there. Better check cost of living there and compare that to Las Vegas cost of living. There are web sites can calculate that for you.

 

[Jo Ann Meyer Stratton]

It all depends, you never know what is going to happen---is the best answer you can get. Personal experience--I worked in the Phoenix AZ market for 9 years, large office, clerical staff to research, copy, print, talk to clients, etc, etc. During the busy years 6 weeks turn around time, slow times 2 days, etc, etc. Then I decided to come home to a little tiny town out in the middle of nowhere, 125 to 175 miles from the city. Already 2 appraisers in town and I am a minority (Arizona version) as well as being a woman, so know I wouldn't get any local business. So in theory it sounded like a good retirement plan--one or two appraisals to keep active in the appraisal field. So I have just spent five of the most frantic, busiest appraisal years of my life! This is retirement??? My area has only about 350 sales residential sales per year, other county only 20, nothing is computerized, next door is 35 miles away, majority of sales are FSBOs, have to keep current with all the gossip to understand the market---a 360 degree turn from the Phoenix appraisal world. But it is fun and a very enjoyable retirement---with a view of Mt Graham as the icing on the cake. So who knows what will happen tomorrow?? Social security might be it and I will be bored silly.

 

[slacker]

There now. I did it! Let's see if you guys can cough up some answers for me. Come on now, step outside of that little appraiser box we all sit in and muster up an honest to god answer.

Mark,

I don’t think anyone is trying to be dishonest, I just think that there are so many appraiser’s out there making such a wide range of income that it’s difficult to say; “This is what appraisers make every year in a specific market”. If I was a Union Electrician in Chicago, I could tell you what I make.

You seem to have answered your own question by admitting to know all the variables involved. You’re an owner of a small business, how much you make is going to be up to you, not us. I can tell you that I can make $1,500 buck a night at the craps table, that doesn’t mean you will as well.

See ya

 

[graindart]

You all are beating around the bush. Here you go:

In Riverside you will make $60,000 in one year, you will get 1 appraisal each day, Monday through Friday. It will take you 4 hours per appraisal, leaving you plenty of spare time. You will have weekends off. You will have easy computer access to MLS and public records. You will carry a cell phone and a digital camera wherever you go. You will pay $12,000 per year for an apartment. You will drive a Toyota Camry. You will eat at Roundtable Pizza once a week.

Seriously people, just give a straight answer!

 

[Ross (CO)]

Wow, there sure does seem to be one heck of a lot of overwhelming interest in how much money appraisers earn. Only the U.S. Gov't "makes" money....and they make it by (uh oh, here I go) stealing excessive amounts from many good folks who "earn" money ! Some should perhaps feel compelled to ask those in the banking, loan originating and realty sales groups what sort of income they generate. As weeks become months become years one would probably find that these folks crank out more green than most of we low-end totem pole sitters in the appraising field. Once that was acknowledged one would logically decide to enter those fields of endeavor and not appraising ! Mark has addressed interest in what sort of income appraising might yield him.....there in Las Vegas.....yet puts the question out to appraisers who work in the other 99.9% of the country. He should grab his L.V. Yellow pages and call up half a dozen appraisers in that book and invite them to lunch and ask them...as subtly and openly and diplomatically as he can. Short of that, if I had the luck to "make more than $15K" over a weekend sitting at the Black Jack table like Mark can.....I'd for sure be breathing their air-conditioned air, sipping their free beers and playing the tables. Mentoring with successful gamblers would have to be much more profitable than dragging measuring tapes around 6,000 sf stucco mansions in the desert amd dodging rattlesnakes and tumbleweeds and hiding from the 100+ degree sun. My comments are clearly not helpfu, however, as Mark answered his own question right there in his posting.....when he states quite clearly that "the average SALARY is between $40 and $60K per year". That's not bad pocket money for an appraiser earning a SALARY ! I wonder if he meant to say salary ? A year and a half ago a good neighbor of mine from three doors down the street made a quick decision to sell, pack up, and move to Las Vegas. I just.....might.....move to Vegas too.

 

[Dale Smalley]

Mark
Just having a little fun with your post . But under the cicumstances I would have to say money isnt everything and It would nice if you were to live and be near your daughter. Just work hard it at and the money will take care of itself.
Good Luck

 

[Dee Dee]

I'm with Dale.
Take the dive and be closer to your kid. You won't regret the decision.
Best of luck to you.

Dee Dee