Leaving or Left the Appraisal Profession for another Career?

[Mile High Trout]

No, my response was not over-reacting, it was an observation, and I have found that over the years, unfortunately Appraisers don't act as professional as others in analytical/finance professions, so the result is that they are not taken seriously by other professionals.

Those observations are subjective to the scenario.

Some appraisers devalue themselves and their professionalism.

Most appraisers find themselves devalued by other biased parties, while struggling to maintain a voice and the ensuing respect.

Advocates win. But in real estate, it's not like politics. The advocate may not be doing what's best for you personally. Advocates in real estate advocate for themselves and their own profits, first and foremost.

Rather than asking who is planning to go, ask who's left.

My CR upgrade from licensing class was full of younger appraisers like myself. Now the instructors tell me I'm one of the few younger appraisers from those busy times class sets to still be around. I'm all digital classes for a few years. I'm sick to death of appraisers scribbling "client notes" in class. Like they've never kept updated with the profession what so ever. That's evident by their przz poor fee and lack of quality development approaches. 1004 form will continue to change, simply to cull skips who walk with pre-typed and make a full on business out of such irrelevant pre-written information.

Relevant AF informational link: http://appraisersforum.com/showthread.php?t=180178

 

[JSmith43]

Have you- or someone you know left the Real Estate Appraisal Profession for another career?

Do rats flee sinking ships? This is a question about choice of life boat or other suitable vessel to navigate the troubled waters of the current real estate related economy.

Try a non real estate dependent segment of the economy. Health care? Undertaker?

What was the reason for leaving appraisal?

Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. (Tom T Hall)

The rest of them are lying.

 

[Walter Kirk]

I can think of three appraisers who have left the profession. A friend of mine who was a CG left to work for an accounting firm. A residential appraiser who now does insurance inspections. And one poor fellow who became quite depressed about the lack of work, he died.

 

[Kenneth Chase]

Have you- or someone you know left the Real Estate Appraisal Profession for another career?

If so, what career did they move into?

What was the reason for leaving appraisal?

One sold his house, downsized, moved farther east in the county for lower priced home, started to day trade and is making a comfortable living and plays golf 3-4 times a week. He, like most of us, lost his core client base, and when he had to work for AMC's, just got motivated in another direction. He is happy!

Another is selling his house as we speak, downsizing, has his brokers license and is doing some re-habs locally. Part time appraising and only full fee work. No AMC work, cited his concern about liability issues that may crop up. He limited his AMC work at the outset (Pre/Post HVCC) and slowly abandoned it entirely and is now where he is. Seemed happy.


Another saw the handwriting on the wall years ago and is doing only pvt full fee estate/bankruptcy/divorce/attorney work. Did not want to be un-independent as a fee appraiser (working for AMC's). Seemed happy.

Ran into another appraiser I had not seen in years...at COSTCO, asked him what he was up to these days and he pointed to his chest badge and said,"I work here now, steady hours, make more $, have benefits, and no overhead cept for tail insurance". Been out of the business for over two years. Seemed happy. AMC's ruined his passion.

I have heard of other similar stories but can't confirm.

Terrell is flat out funny and you should take it with a grain of salt, dont' even have to read between the lines to get a chuckle out of his posts, can make your day if you want it to.

Some on this Forum would argue this is not a profession at all.

Over the last three years, most of the CE classes (live) I've taken a majority of participants have displayed a lack of a simple knowledge of the history and underpinnings of things like HVCC, IVPI, Dodd/Frank-C&R, CFPB, Presumtion's 1 and 2, George H's well written petition, on and on as well as other rather important issues. Makes it easier for the AMC's to take advantage of them I guess, but we all go along for the ride. They did not seem happy.

Not sure who will be left in the not too distant future (CFPB hearings not going so well as of today) the few advocates we have in this "industry"(?), seem to be a mix of hard working unsung trench warriors we rarely hear of and those who self promote under the guise of helping us but seemingly only interested in helping themselves.

I'm looking for something new. Full fee assignments are far and few between. I'm an old dog that can learn new tricks, (I don't mean just the 1004MC/UAD/AMC "stipulations")so to speak, if it's in a new direction, so be it, I'm ready to be inspired again. And appraising has left me uninspired for some time now.

 

[Stone]

I think this response is an example of why Appraisers are not taken seriously as a profession.

You think Terrel's response is really an example of why appraisers aren't "taken seriously"? You don't think a better example is the ridiculous fee/ordering setup put upon many that rewards quick and fast over competency? Or perhaps a another example that would weigh more is the fact that many of those looking to hire an appraiser don't want an actual value only the value that helps their contract go through? Or that many of the advocates in a transaction think the person with a neutral opinion is the only person who doesn't know anything about value?

I think those are much better examples of why some don't take appraisers seriously.

 

[Lost Cause]

A Business Reliant Upon Regulation

My father, (now deceased), told me, years ago, when I was training to be an appraiser, "never go into a field where the gov't can regulate you." Too bad I did not listen to my wise parent...

That's a double-edged sword when it comes to the appraisal business. Without regulation, there would be a whole lot less appraisal business. If appraisals were not required by regulation for many kinds of transactions, do you think many lenders would still obtain appraisals or simply go with their underwriter's analysis?

Regulation giveth and regulation taketh away.

 

[Pilgrum]

Something more honorable like chicken litter decaking business or piano player in a brothel...and then I'll take my money and invest it in something safe...like a race horse syndicate

Or, perhaps, I will follow in my old man's footsteps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFVrtjUmz7c&feature=fvwrel

 

[Mile High Trout]

older whiskey, more money.

Thats why I got into appraising though...

Top Shelf or bust. JK I drink way too much to afford that.

 

[Steve Forstner]

I've been at the business for over 30 years and if I leave it will be because of a general lack of business in the current market. Like many others I have a family to feed and bills to pay and it is difficult to do that when the finance industry is staggering.

 

[Mile High Trout]

Yeah Steve. It's cheaper to get a car loan, than just about any other type of credit at the moment. That's what they said on the radio.

One day the finance industry will see itself as a whole and quit passing the potato. By this time, mega players should realize what comes around goes around.

Restrictive and credit damaging approaches only lead to fewer qualified applicants.

It's tough to boost credit when the motivation to damage credit is more profitable in the short term.

And that's just the way it is. Work around it, or seek refuge. It's that simple.