How to convince a great Appraiser to pass the torch to a Trainee?

[Bluesky185]

I'm almost done with my education and thought I could look for a Mentor in the meantime. I found one, but he just wanted me to get my hours by watching him through screen share and not touch anything. I've called other Appraisers who seem to know their stuff but they are not interested. After I finish my education and am a certified trainee, I am looking to connect up with an ethical
Appraiser who will teach me the ropes of becoming a good appraiser. I know pickings are slim, but I have my heart set on not compromising and finding an appraiser who will have me learn by working. What would pull at your heart strings to pass the torch to a future Appraiser?

P.S. I'm in a position to work for free, possibly even pay an Appraiser to help train me.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I think, despite the great fees of the past 2 years, the institutional memory of many of us was the 12 years that came before when AMC dominated the business, and fees were comparable to working as a greeter at Wally World. In fact, I knew a CG working at Office Depot...needed the extra to make it. It is hard to have any enthusiasm for this business. Add the cost of E & O and the liability for the actions of the trainee, it is very difficult for many and a high percent of us are in our last few (5? perhaps) years.

I advise you to get the help where you can- free, whatever. Take the PAREA or whatever they call it - on line training for experience, and maybe even apply to the assessor's office. As for being ethical, I bet you already know what is 'ethical' so the risk of getting experience from the unethical isn't you will be corrupted, rather they put you at risk when you submit samples to the state. Learn from the books. Get the experience where you can. And borrower, beg whatever, to get as many appraisals as you can to see what your peers actually do. I learned more from reading both good and bad appraisals than I learned from being mentored. If your book learning is spot on, the bad reports are things to avoid and you will spot them immediately.

 

[J Grant]

I'm almost done with my education and thought I could look for a Mentor in the meantime. I found one, but he just wanted me to get my hours by watching him through screen share and not touch anything. I've called other Appraisers who seem to know their stuff but they are not interested. After I finish my education and am a certified trainee, I am looking to connect up with an ethical
Appraiser who will teach me the ropes of becoming a good appraiser. I know pickings are slim, but I have my heart set on not compromising and finding an appraiser who will have me learn by working. What would pull at your heart strings to pass the torch to a future Appraiser?

P.S. I'm in a position to work for free, possibly even pay an Appraiser to help train me.

Would you consider relocating for an opportunity?
Because sometimes the opportunity is in a different city or state or region then where you currently reside -

Idk, appraisers are wary wrt trainees due to all the trauma of the past decade plus, AMC's, threat of technology, threat of change to the business - on the other hand many are very busy and barring a big interest rate spike, likely to stay busy at least for the next couple of years...

There are also city and county tax appraiser assessor offices so perhaps consider that as well.

Work for free - while a good offer, I would avoid that, imo that is exploitative, perhaps offer to work for free the first month to see if it is a good fit, opinions can vary on it of course. Offering to work forf a very modest split perhaps- but see what others think. If you can locate an appraiser that is looking to retire in a few years or might want a long term partner - network, take a course at the Appraisal Institte, network with RE agents, - some AMC;s might offer a mentor/trainee opportunity as well.

Best of luck !