Is Anyone Slowing Down?

[Michigan CG]

I am also interested as to what each appraiser considers slow, average, busy, etc.

I have in the past typically considered 10-12 files on my desk to be average. My turn times are always at least 10 days, and typically two weeks. Since May I have been at 2-3 weeks.

If we count commercial as equal to five residential reports I started off the week with 29. I am down to 21 now so quoting until December 6th on the next residential. Of the 21 on my desk right now I have inspected eight and will complete six by Sunday night.

Currently turning down 3-5 a week.

 

[ucbruin]

All the same, accepted becomes completed.

I like your figures....

 

[J Grant]

I purposelly limited my business to allow me some time to pursue other interests though never seems much time is left... not saying it's a good idea $ wise but is a personal decision...I only cover (unless an exception is made) the south half of one county. I could be two or three times as busy if I expanded my geo area but I'd have to change my model of business and take on assistants and be driving around like crazy..did that when younger.

 

[0351]

I go by the month.....so I feel like low 20s is comfortable. In the spring time I was around the low 30 mark for a few months which was hard to keep up with. Hearing the responses makes me feel better about where I am at. I talked to an appraiser I know and told me that he was around 40-50 and almost 60 in spring time and he is a solo shop(I do know he accepts any fee, he is skippy ). I was frustrated as I know his skill level. I don't think I could type up that many a month by myself...and have reports that are worth anything.

 

[J Grant]

I have no idea how appraisers cover such long geo distances. who cover multiple areas...do they live in their car? I am not a fan of driving over 30 minutes to get to a property...45 minutes is my limit of distance I accept. A rural area I can understand it but around here too much traffic in certain directions/time of day.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I only work one county but can still drive 60 or more miles on an assignment and that's really too far.

 

[KYLECODY]

Finally slowing down, I think. I started turning away all but the higher fee paying clients several month ago. Nov and Dec are usually slow regardless. I need the break. Am considering packing it in for December which I've never done before. Life's too short to sit at this computer most of the time. I have other things to do.

On a similar note, recently took a class from a large direct lender bank..they say with all the years of FNMA data collection and alternative valuations products coming up they believe the sky isn't falling yet for the typical residential appraiser but that within 5-10 years it could be for most city/suburban appraisers unless you do high end, complex or atypical stuff extremely well. Churn and burn for typical easy tract homes, city houses is going the way of the dodo bird according to them. $400 plus for an appraisal or $11 for an AVM whose data can kick out "close enough" numbers to determine if a loan is risky or not with better accuracy than an individual appraiser? We like to argue that but after doing more post closing reviews than normal this year I realize the amount of people just slapping numbers on a form that are completely bogus and out of line with the market and common sense still go through without issues and are much more common than I had hoped. Its a sh** show really. Just like life, got to take the sweet with the sour.

Until then, tally on.

 

[TRESinc]

i base it on monthly volume. typical month is 20-25 reports, less is slower and more is busier. biggest i had this year was 32 and i don't think i slept much that month.

 

[Eli]

Some appraisers do crap and call them appraisals. Some appraisers do very credible reports. The level of Credibility is directly related to time and competence.

 

[ucbruin]

Some appraisers do crap and call them appraisals. Some appraisers do very credible reports. The level of Credibility is directly related to time and competence.

And here I was under the impression.....

that it was due to having an ample number of great comps!!!!