Dress code

[BarbaraNJ]

I guess that dress code is dictated by the area you cover: if you are appraising farms, suits are out of the question.

In the Northeast, we tend to be a bit more formal than the warmer or more rural areas of the country. I can tell you that a shirt with a collar for a man is the minimum in my opinion. A "golf shirt" and "dockers" are about as casual as I would let male appraisers get; females about the same, as skirts/dresses are just not practical when inspecting a home, no matter how expensive the house is. Personally, I like nice wool or blend slacks and good quality sweater or blazer or very light linen jacket for the summer (I take it off in the car).

Never, Never, Never, blue jeans !!!!!

In my experience, if the "value" does not make it, what do you think the upset homeowner is going to say ??? The first thing that comes to my mind is: "Of course the appraisal is wrong...you didn't even send a professional.......he/she showed up in blue jeans !!"

Do you want that getting back to the lender ???

Is an hour of "comfort" in blue jeans worth being called "unprofessional"?

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

BarbraNJ,
What do you wear when you inspect the crawl space or attic?

 

[BarbaraNJ]

Fred-----

Same Things.

That's why no dresses or skirts.

I LOOK in crawl spaces and attics, but do not feel the need to crawl through them. I am an appraiser, not home inspector. By sticking my head into an attic or crawl space (with a flashlight, if necessary) I can determine height, insulation, dampness, overall condition and construction type.

As an aside, there are very few crawl spaces in NJ--90% of homes are either Slab or Full Basement. Typically, the crawl spaces occur when someone adds a family room or master suite to the rear or side of a home with existing full bsmt but is too cheap to have a full bsmt dug under the addition.

But as I said, every area of the country is different.

Any other questions ??

 

[Caterina Platt]

My first day on the job as an appraiser trainee. I show up looking like a typical Realtor going to a closing. Dressed in my wool 2 piece suit, silk blouse, heels... Boss says to me 'You need to dress down a bit.' Kind of a twist, never heard that in the professional world before. At that moment, I knew this was a perfect job. I used to live for casual days in the corporate world.

At one point in his office years ago, several of the employees were going thru divorces all at the same time. Someone would show up to work dressed to the nines and everyone looked up, "What are you going to see your lawyer or something?" Became an office inside joke. In my case, it was just because I was behind on laundry and had to resort to ritzy dry cleanables in the back of the closet.

Here in the rurban west, jeans in good condition are definitely acceptable. Granted, I do leave the Ozzy and Jagermiester tee shirts for report typing days.....But honestly, here I have often noticed one of our most respected bank officers in the office in his Wranglers. Entire wedding parties have been known to have a jeans and vest theme. Go into a fine dining restaraunt and you can find anything from bermuda shorts to tuxedos and all are acceptable.

Ever notice in these small towns that if you need to make a quick trip to the hardware store when you're really messy, that is the time you run into 3 Realtors, a real estate lawyer and the mayor? :roll:

 

[bobburnitt]

Well Folks,

Here in Texas, I like to wear Jap Flaps with Big Smith over-halls. It is 110 degrees in the summer so to Hell with dressing up to crawl through the bushes to measure a house. It doesn't matter what you wear, what you must do is hit the number. You can wear a tuxedo and if you come in under the mark they will never call you again.

I know some female appraisers that wear shorts to the job. They have cellulite that looks like cottage cheese, but people love them because they hit the number, get it???

BB in Texas

 

[bobburnitt]

Well Folks,

Here in Texas, I like to wear Jap Flaps with Big Smith over-halls. It is 110 degrees in the summer so to Hell with dressing up to crawl through the bushes to measure a house. It doesn't matter what you wear, what you must do is hit the number. You can wear a tuxedo and if you come in under the mark they will never call you again.

I know some female appraisers that wear shorts to the job. They have cellulite that looks like cottage cheese, but people love them because they hit the number, get it???

BB in Texas

 

[BarbaraNJ]

If I ever decide to relocate, it will be to Texas.

Just think, I can eat all the Baskin-Robbins and cheese fries and pizza I want, wear a thong and T shirt and sandals and all I have to do to keep my job is tell people what they want to hear.

All kidding aside, I did say that it depends upon your LOCATION. (Remember that theory?)
If jeans will not cause your professionalism to be criticized, go with it !!!

It just doesn't work here in the northeast, probably from Virginia on up.

Anyone from this area want to comment, or should I break out the LEVI'S?

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

OUCH ! :lol:

Yeah, I've seen a few like that, too! What in the world are they thinking?

 

[Richard Carlsen]

Since I don't golf, golf shirts are out. I prefer long sleeve shirts for fall and spring and short sleeve shirts for summer. Jeans are the standard pants. Too many crawl spaces, up ladders, garages, pole buildings, etc to inspect for dress pants. I group my inspections so very, very rarely go out to do one inspection. I have to dress for the toughest job of the day.

One thing about our area is that formal attire in the winter is turtlenecks and sweaters. The other is that if you are in a suit in some areas, you are there to serve a warrant or revoke parole. Either way, you would not be welcome. Better to not stir the pot.

Besides, it is much more comfortable to stop off at the trout steam after a day’s inspection if you wear jeans. No change of clothes needed. Just put the waders on, grab the fly rod and spend 2 hours unwinding with the brook trout.

 

[bobburnitt]

Well Friends,

I am beginning to think that is impossible to be tongue-in-cheek on the Internet. It just doesn't make the trip. I don't REALLY wear Jap-flaps.

BB in Texas