How hard is it to get the 2000 trainee hours?

[Bob Ipock]

Are you aware that about 10,000 CA appraisers have failed to renew their license in the last four years?

There is a limited supply of work and too many appraisers fighting for some of it. A little research before taking the classes would have been a wise move.

Advice on this forum may come from many states...not just CA and most of it will tell you what you have already heard. Too many appraisers...not enough work. I am in NC am certainly not worried that a trainee in CA is a competitor for me.

Your inquiry is not new....it is almost daily on this forum.....and you are getting some truth and wisdom that your appraisal school failed to tell you.

 

[Mountain Man]

Thanks guys! No wonder everyone is a Realtor, all they have to do is smile, lie and drive you around. LOL!

First, not all real estate agents are Realtors. Realtors is a professional organization where members voluntarily join and pay $$$$ dues.
Second, if that's your opinion of what it's like in real estate, then you should get the education, get the license, then try it. You've got a lot to learn about both sides of the business before you spend one shiny dime on classes.

 

[Bob Ipock]

Your status indicates you are already a trainee. If you have not already taken classes then you how can you be a trainee?

If you are not already a trainee....take heed to some of the excellent advice. If you are already a trainee.......take heed to some of the excellent advice.

Either way, do some research and best of luck too you.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

It took my trainees over 2 years to get 2000 hours and they worked every day. Think about that...you get about half credit for the work you do because of the way the states calculate it.

I personally do not worry about a trainee "competing" with me. One does in the sense she is in the same market but is not a CG...big deal. One didn't and worked thru me until he retired. Again, was great to have him. The third was from out of the area and moved as soon as he got his lic...he is a CG and a *&^ed good one...better than his mentor...
My last one is my long time friend who has no aspirations to go on her own for personal reasons - health, doesn't like sales, etc.

However for the newbie there is now little work and so you end up in an AMC appraisal mill as a slave, make no money and run the risk of losing your license before you start. Good mentors are hard to find and it is the LIABILITY issues that make problems. My E & O doubles when I take on a trainee. I am responsible for your least mistake and you'd be a genius if you can come out of the box mistake free.... in other words, to make sure you are right, I literally have to do the appraisal over so what advantage is it for me? I work the same number of hours and then split the pay with you? No way.

 

[JTip]

The 'easy' part is finding a mentor. The hardest is finding clients that will accept trainee work. I logged hundreds of hours with one local bank and now they won't accept a trainee signature or assistance on the report.

While wearing other 'hats', it took me nearly 3 years to fill my log book. That's about 2 a week.

Best of luck.

 

[stangtime]

As stated, the advice here is extremely valuable. The folks here will hit you between the eyes if you deserve it, then brush you off and lend you a hand. The newbies that impress me the most here are the ones that don't run away after asking a question and getting back answers they don't like. There have been huge numbers of folks that have come here to the AF, asked a question, and then have vanished when they were given hard responses.

It's a long road to get certified and start obtaining work. (Most client's de riguer is for at least a CR with five to ten years of experience - securing work with just a license is tremendously difficult) You're looking at least three years of working pretty much full time for virtually zero money. After acquiring the hours, the schooling, supplying sample reports to the state, and sitting for a five-hour-long exam you then get to start applying to companies to get work under your own name. Or...if you are working for a company on a split fee basis, and after ALL of that time and work you might get ~50 to 60 percent of a fee split (of most likely a marginal fee to start with, say $300 to $400 before the split).

If this is what you want to do and are willing to expend the time and effort, then go for it. In five to eight years I think things will be quite different with this job, but if I were starting from scratch I would be exploring other options.

Dan

 

[ril3y3d]

Great advice. I have not started any courses yet, this is my due diligence. Sounds like there is not enough juice in that lemon. Man, it is rough out there for everyone. This Bush Depression is deep, and now the GOP candidates all "say" they want to cut spending. They had 8 years to show us, and spent it all and more.

 

[ril3y3d]

Realtors are clowns in my opinion. I have had 12 transactions with 12 different Realturds. They cant be trusted and make mistakes. But with no skin in the game they dont care. They need to be extinct, like travel agents.

 

[clyde frog]

Agree with the the majority of the comments posted. I am a Residential Trainee in hte state of WA. I completed my classes first and it took me a long time to find a mentor. It does take three to four yeare in this economy to get the hours. I am still
not there...

The one thing I would say is just getting the 2000 hr. licensed level will not do you much good. Most clients want you to beyond that level.

I would take that $10 hr to start. Be humble when you change careers..

 

[ril3y3d]

Law schools sounds better every day!