How much do you pay your interns?

[TabathaMcCarty]

Dear Mr. Smith:

I am so suprised at your reply, for all the valuable information that you have posted to the newbies. How are they to become a newbie unless someone gives them a chance? Sure it's risky; that's why you investigate your potential employee.

Also, here in Ohio, one is referred to as an apprentice (an assistant learning a trade) vs. an intern. As I'm sure you're aware, apprentices in other professions such as electrical work and construction trades are compensated during his/her apprenticeship. Nonetheless, it is highly common today for interns to earn a wage.

Appraiser apprentices do pay tuition for their courses, like other students, when they complete appraiser seminars. How can one possibly pay for their courses, pay to work under their mentor, and survive financially? I see a mentor compensating his apprentice as a mentor investing in training to expand their business for at least two years (per the apprenticeship time requirement here) and investing long-term in the betterment of the profession.

I have just been employed by an appraiser to learn the trade. I'm excited about it and glad that he is giving me this opportunity. I'm greatful for his time and in return respect his business relationships. If I do become independent, I will not encroach upon his sources of business.

Lastly, for whoever posted "only family", I criticize your nepotism. You are shutting the door of opportunity in my face just because I don't happen to have the right connection. I salute the appraisers that carefully choose and provide opportunity to determined and excited newbies like myself.

And, oh, Mr. Smith, remember that there had to be someone who gave Edgar Allan Poe his first chance to be published. :wink: Just curious, how did you enter the business?

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Tabatha,

I'm the person that said "only family" :x
In Delaware there is no such fancy name as "apprentice" or "Intern"....Wannabes are "Trainees"

Since you started this, here's the reality of it all. In 1988. I entered the business and worked side by side with another appraiser, as a gopher. I did not get paid. Certification/Licensing wasn't heard of at that time. When it came about, I went to school, got certified, received a small portion of each appraisal fee, and stayed with that appraiser until 1993. I went out and got a loan, bought the necessary equipment, started the business in my dining room and it took me 3 years to get a good client base. I hired trainee #1, my son. My Error and Omissions Insurance went up, my income went down, and my work got behind.

So now I'm behind in my work, and have the extra added burden of doing the payroll. I match the trainee's Social Security, match the trainee's Medicare, and pay Unemployment. I must make Federal Tax Deposits the 15th of each month, and file quarterly reports for State, Federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment, along with filing Gross Receipts Tax. And of course, in April, do the required tallying of records and filing of taxes. At the same time, I'm juggling my appraisal workload and monitoring that trainee.

Not only do I have to talk with Lenders and Underwriters (if they call) about my appraisal work, but since the Trainee is not here all the time and I am responsible for his/her work, I must pull their files and answer questions from Lenders and Underwriters about the trainee's appraisal work.

As far as "expanding" my client base...forget that. It's very possible that an appraiser could lose business because the trainee takes up so much time. I don't know about your state, but here, I must ride with my trainee to approximately 50 houses, along with monitoring him/her for 2 years. ....................And you, my dear, think I should pay that trainee to ride with him/her for 50 residential appraisals and monitor them for 2 years???? I've already taken an average of 2-3 hours out of my day. Do you think I should also furnish gas and buy lunch? I think whatever split of the appraisal fee the trainee is offered, he/she should accept, providing he/she is confident that the appraiser is honest, above board, and knowledgable and it is agreed upon by both.

Onward...Following Trainee #1 (my son) came Trainee #2, (my daughter-in-law). By the time they are no longer trainees, Trainee #3 (my daughter) will be here. I'm more than happy to do this for my 3 children, but for a stranger like you who expects everything handed to them, and to be payed also??? Stop whining...you have it made.

I would never do all this work if the trainees were not my children. And, I forgot one thing....I can trust my children to produce a well written, well thought out, unbiased, honest appraisal report....because......I know them! I won't trust a stranger. I'm not as wicked as I may seem....I don't make my trainees wear the McDonald's "Trainees" hats with catsup stains. If you are whining and demanding now, you'll never make it in the appraisal profession. Whines and Demands get you nowhere...work hard! Now, go back and kiss the feet of the person who hired you. He/she deserves a medal! And, don't be so quick to judge others. :roll:

 

[Stone]

I was (and still am) trained by my father and at times by a family friend. I would not recommend going into this line of work without a connection like a parent. I know (now) that the early work I did for the family friend was in no way profitable for her, so I can understand the reluctance of other people to train people who are not related to them.

As to Charlotte's point about knowing what she will get from her kids: I think that when you train under your parent, no matter what mistakes you might make, it is definitely harder to BS them. I also know that my father would not have trained me at a younger age, because he would have known that I wasn't ready to be self-employed.

I could see training someone down the road, but it would have to be someone I am very familiar with. If my brother ever wants to get into this business, I will definitely take on some of the training duties, so that my father doesn't have to do it all.

I do think that people on this forum forget from time to time that they too had to be trained by someone.

Just a few thoughts on the subject.

 

[Judy (Florida)]

Charlotte - DITTO! I stated that either it is family - or someone I know very, very well. Read my thread about Highlight of the Week and you will begin to understand what a supervisor is in for! I trust my son and know that he will always tell the truth, will always stand by my side and he is very very grateful for the opportunity that he has been handed. Not that anyone else wouldn't be. I can trust him, he is never going to leave me and open up his own office, he is not going to tell things about me/our company behind our back, he is not going to dream up something to report me for and, "He is never going to whine, as I've never ever permitted it!"

I guess the main thing is, it is extremely time consuming to train someone properly. Expensive as well. It has cost me more money in lost appraisal fees working with him (while the other appraiser in the office did the work!) than it has to pay him - at this point (6 months). Sooner or later he will pull his own weight and he is really great at client solicitation. So you trainees that have fair supervisors that actually pay you and train you, too, please thank them on Monday morning.

 

[cgjerdetu]

Tabatha,

I think that Doug Smith not Dave Smith is the person who has posted the information in the newbies section.

It's great that you have found someone to train you. I think the uncertainty of where the appraisal profession is headed also is preventing some people from taking on trainees. Don't worry though, there will always be a need for good appraisers. Just be prepared to learn as much as possible and go beyond the mininum of what is expected from you.

Carolyn

 

[TabathaMcCarty]

Ms. Dixon:

Because this is written communication vs. the much easier to understand face-to-face communication, I believe I have been misunderstood. By no means did I intend to project an attitude of "whining" or "demand". I am indeed VERY grateful to my mentor and have told him this.

Also, there does seem to be differences in our state's requirements. As soon as I'm confident enough and trusted enough by my mentor, I will be able to make drives on my own; the appraiser will then review my report and sign. I am compensated with a split of the commission, which he offered me, as you mentioned. So, I do believe that I will eventually become an asset to his business. I completely understand your point of view from the position of your state's requirements.

If you were to meet me in person, Charlotte, I'm sure that you would not think of me as judgmental. I do have a stong work ethic and only feel strongly about my dreams and aspirations to become an appraiser.

My apologies if I have confused the Mr. Smiths.

Sincerely,
A newbie eager to learn and, also, just trying to be the best that I can be

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Tabatha....different states, different rules

We must accompany our trainee for x number of hours to inspections....usually around 50 houses, we have found. I guess Ohio doesn't have this requirement. I think it's a very good practice. While I complain about the time it takes, I feel there is no better way then to go on these appointments. And, it usually takes this long to cover the variety of points I need to cover, starting with "be aware of your surroundings"....streets lights, curbs, gutters, etc. to "note the appliances" to "where do you want to start your sketch...front door or basement?" to "watch your back".. Good Luck!