If you think some one will be loyal for $10 an hour, you are nuts.
And if you think that an appraiser makes a profit paying you $10 an hour, YOU'RE nuts. Like I said, read the forum for a few days. 8 hours a day. Then come back and let's talk.
Most appraisers think that you should pay THEM to TEACH you. The initial courses teach you how to pass an exam, not how to appraise. Most trainees leave their continuing education until the last minute, and expect the supervisor to teach them everything. The supe does all the same work you do, and teaches you, and checks your work, so don't think you're saving them time. They are completely liable for your work, also. They are required to sign the report, putting their license on the line. AND they're supposed to pay you, even though you don't save them any time, and in fact COST them in time, at least for your first year in the business, providing that there is even full time work for your first year. Otherwise, your training takes them longer.
And if you never take the easy way, why would you consider online classes (the cheapest and worst) vs. AI classes, the best, and most expensive? Did you get your brown belt online? If that was offered, would you think that your brown belt meant the same thing as one offered online, with only a paper test at the end?
You don't know what you don't know. You may be 'all that', but you don't know appraisal and you don't know the industry. So, like I said, read the forum for a few days before you decide that people who have been IN this industry for years don't know what they're talking about.
We've seen it all before. Online classes (next to worthless). "How do I get my hours", not "how do I find the best classes to prepare myself for a new profession, and find the best mentor/supervisor"? And $10 doesn't buy loyalty is ignorant of how much a good mentor invests in you. Including providing you with the work, instead of you going out to find it. Your mentor also acts as a firewall between you and the client, who calls often to complain about stupid stuff because they don't read the report.
You're not off to a good start here. One of the most important skills of an appraiser is researching market conditions. Why don't you start out by doing a good job researching the market for new appraisers? Then tell us how much work is available for a trainee or licensed appraiser, and who's hiring. What does the average AMC pay, what level of licensure to they require, and what will your average costs be per job? MLS, county records, business car insurance, E&O insurance, gas, maintenance. Software, software updates. Continuing education, license fees, upgrading your license. Computer. Extra phone. How will you get clients when you bail on your mentor?
This is the reality of appraisal these days. Commercial may be different, but I don't know any commercial appraisers hiring these days either, and I don't know why they'd take on someone with anything less than AI classes, or at least classroom McKissock coursework. In fact, I don't know why they'd take on a trainee at all, when there are plenty of Certified Residentials that would love to upgraded to General, and already have training and experience in appraisal.
Sorry to be so blunt, but poking a stick at a grouchy bear (bad sciatica today) isn't the smartest move. AND I'm actually giving you good information. What you do with it is your call.
