Getting work from AMCs

[Salty]

Even if one could do 20 a week - in my area the work is just not available. Just looking at the number of MLS sales over the last month in one county, then thinking about the supply of appraisers. Even if every one of those sales had an appraisal that's not enough to provide adequate income for half of the appraisers to live in this area. Then think about the complex non-lending work. Is there enough of that work available? I would say get another job and wait it out while grabbing what appraisal work you can on the side. Or get involved in litigation work and market yourself as the go-to appraiser to attorneys. Appraisal may never be more than a side gig for most at this point.

 

[Ryder]

I have been licensed (CR) for less than 2 years. 6 months ago, I was in the same boat as you. I signed up with as many AMCs as I could find, but it was real slow going for several months. Then the orders started coming in. I do 5-10 a week now, and I will crack 6 figures this year. I work 12 hours a day at least. Until recently, I never turned down an order. Now I decline the ones with lower fees. There is no way I could ever do 20 a week.

Initially, I bought an AMC list and I used the list on this site. It took days to apply to all of them. Then 6 months later, I applied to all of them again. I got a few more bites the 2nd time. The point is, keep at it and you will get there. And yes, you can call and email the AMCs to ask for work. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I never got the AL because my mentor told me no one would let you sign a report with that designation. He was wrong, but I think to really make it in California, you need the CR. I hardly ever do an appraisal with a value under $1 million. Just a few condos. I did an 800sf house yesterday. The value was $1.15 million.

As for the government jobs, I applied for them and didn't get anywhere. There are very experienced appraisers applying for those jobs, and there are only a few jobs per county.

If I listened to all the naysayers on this forum, I would have given up and taken a job somewhere. I'm really glad I didn't.