Do you use an assistant?

[Ron in AR]

Terrell,

It's bleu, not blue.

Ron in AR

 

[Ron in AR]

Terrell,

It's bleu, not blue.

Ron in AR

 

[WOODRUFF]

I have had an assistant for several years. I pay him by the hour, and he performs at an adequate level. When a new order comes in he prints it out, starts a file, gets tax info, subdivision (pud) info, pulls comps (he's an excellent researcher, but of course, this is a sensitive area, and I must thoroughly review his research, and can only rely on it when it's a "cookie cutter" subdivision that I know very well. Otherwise, I do my own research and verification on the sales info). He answers the phones, screens the calls, takes messages when I'm gone, goes to get the mail, prepares my lunch and brings it to me while I'm working, and a lot of other chores that take my time while I am working on more productive things. He is my nephew, and is very trustworthy, so I don't have to worry about an ambituous trainee lying to or stealing from me, and that's the most important thing to me. He also goes with me on inspections if I'm going to a "rough" part of town, or if it's a big house with lots of odd angles and I need help measuring it (holding the other end of the tape measure).

I pay hime a living wage, and pay payroll taxes on him, and am glad to do it. He is a valuable assett to my business

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I have had office assistance for the past 9 of 10 years in this office. Have tried various types of help, ie, administrative only, appraiser in training, and another appraiser. For me the best has been to use a Registered Appraiser (Trainee) who is willing to work hourly to build the 2,000 required hours for licensing.

First of all, using a registered appraiser eliminates the problems with unlicensed people doing some of the work. My assistant answers the telephone, quotes fees, accepts assignments, pulls the public record and MLS data on the subject. She logs in the assignment, creates invoices, tracks billing, and makes calls on past due accounts. Since this person has taken at least 75 hours of training and passed a state exam...I find there is a lot less training to do. They understand the basics of the business.

After the first six months, I expand that person's duties to include entering data on the software, pulling comps (I still do the selecting), and sketching. For the next 12 months that person is doing nearly everything necessary to create an appraisal report. The final six months she/he will do some simple assignments where the lender will allow me to use a trainee. If the trainee wants to become a full time appraiser or go one their own, I then have them "break in" their replacement. Most want to start their own business as soon as licensed.

What does all this cost me? My beginning hourly rate is $7.50, about the same they could make at McDonalds. I tell them they are receiving training worth about $25 an hour. Once they start being productive, I increase the hourly up to $12.50 an hour..which is the most I will pay. Once they are doing appraisals under my supervision I split the fee with them too (usually 40%) since they still receive an hourly wage.

I am in the process of closing this office after 10 years here. It is really tramatic but I think once I am settled into our new home with home office I will do better. It is my intention to use an assistant via internet...haven't worked out the details yet but I am sure it can be done. Guess I am not one to accept change easily...been married to the same woman for 33 years and we have only lived in two houses here in the same town.

Some things I have found....

1. You don't make money doing $7.50 an hour work, let someone handle the grunt stuff.

2. If you ever expect to get away for a vacation...you need someone to keep the shop open and going.

3. You can easily double your volume...if you have help. Two or three a day with really good help is possible and totally impossible working alone.

4. Clients like having someone to talk to. An answering machine doesn't cut it. Having an assistant gives you the appearance of being more professional.

5. Personal delivery of reports is a nice touch too. Something I would not have time to do with out office help.

6. Working alone sucks. We need to have someone to bounce stuff off of once in awhile.

 

[Douglas Mackay]

I am a one-man shop and have been in the business for nine years now. I have also been contemplating hiring an assistant but haven't made any final decisions just yet.

There is a great article about hiring assistants and trainees in the last Appraisal Today newsletter...well worth the reading! See link below if you're not familiar with it:

http://www.appraisaltoday.com/

Doug :wink:

 

[Restrain]

I pay my assistant $8.00 per hour and my Trainee $10 per hour. My trainee does much of the setup work as training, inspects properties under my supervision and writes reports. My assistant, however, works part-time, and helps me primarily in the field (photographs, other end of the tape, navigation). As a result of the assistant's work, I can do twice the work in a day than I could do without the assistant. Definitely worth the money.;