Career Change To Appraiser

[TRESinc]

Find some appraisers in your area, the older the better.

Offer to be an admin / property photographer

gotta love a member of the general public (i really hope that's true) advocating for someone to help an appraiser violate the SOW for the majority of appraisals performed for residential purposes...

 

[Red Flint]

gotta love a member of the general public (i really hope that's true) advocating for someone to help an appraiser violate the SOW for the majority of appraisals performed for residential purposes...

There is no violation if the appraiser is along for the ride.

Look for the sunny side in life.

 

[Deleted member 134708]

I took an Uber once to go take comps pics while waiting for a set of new tires to be put on.

 

[reviewbe]

Got a 4 year college degree?

 

[The Warrior Monk]

To emphasize some points, and assuming you have your four-year college degree, I STRONGLY recommend becoming a Certified General Appraiser (i.e., unlimited license). Also, I recommend working in a large office where you will be exposed to many different situations. Full-time appraising is a must in the beginning, and will likely be expected by anyone that hires you, unless you personally know someone that is willing to work with you on a part time basis (family member, friend, etc.).

 

[KYLECODY]

Sometimes I wonder if people just make it seem awful to keep others out...yes, the first few years suck financially. Finding a decent mentor and getting hours can be challenging. Thats really the deal killer for most people assuming you meet the other qualifications. If you can fight through all that and get certified and are motivated in an active market you can pretty much write your own ticket depending on how much drive you have. If you have a chance to get a CG like many have mentioned Im sure that would be great also. I would also ALWAYS hold onto that RE license also and not let it lapse. 3% of a sales price for often very little work is one of the greatest scams in economics. Even 1 or 2 deals a year that may accidentally fall in your lap adds up quick.

 

[Eli]

As somebody already suggested, I would seriously consider finding a mentor before taking the core trainee classes.

 

[Tru Red]

I was an SBA business lender/VP at a regional bank when I decided to make the change to become an appraiser. I was also a real estate broker. When I left banking I went full time into marketing/selling real estate and had just received my appraiser trainee license. I worked along side another broker who was also an appraiser. We did both, appraising and marketing/selling real estate. At the time I was married and had a wife who earned a good living. The moral of my story is I cannot imagine anyone without another means of income becoming an appraiser. Either another job or a spouse with income. Becoming an appraiser is TOUGH. I have been licensed since 2006. Only in the past 3 to 4 years have I started making a decent living......finally and again after leaving the banking/lending field. It's a long road to success as an appraiser. However now........I think I can ride this career into the sunset of life and work at my pace until I can no longer work. Hopefully another 20 years or so.