Looking For The Mentor's Perspective

[Michigander]

I started appraising full time in 1989. Before that, I was selling real estate. I took several appraisal courses in 1985 and 86 as I wanted to be an appraiser, but it took until 1989 to get hired as one. It's always been difficult to get into this field. Take courses and get as much knowledge as possible before hitting the pavement, and don't give up if this is something you want to do. I do believe that selling real estate is a great segue into appraising.

 

[Tina]

I started as a "processor" in an appraisal firm (editing the reviewed drafts for presentation to the client). I did this for about a year and got familar with how the office ran and gained a good working relationship with my boss.

I then went to school and got my trainee license, so I was a "shoe" in for my boss. I already knew a lot about the business, so the learning curve was much less.

Additionaly, I had taken the real estate salesperson prelicensing class, (twice, no less) the first time when I was really young, so I would be "wise" to the ways of the world and the second time I felt it would support my appraisal education.

I never pursued licensure as a real estate agent, I'm just not into "sales"; more of an analyst type - hence the inquiring mind - why, why, why????

I was very lucky to have studied under my mentor. I have the utmost respect and admiration for him; he's always been very patient with me and took the time to explain his reasoning (I can remember once I had to admit I'd gotten lost in the computer - I had to go to his office and explain "well, I don't know where I am nor do I know how I got where I'm at). Then as I got more experienced we could/can debate issues. There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for him. We help one another whenever we can - still!

I love my job, but, like others get frusterated with the crap that goes along with it - Lender value pressure, Realtor value pressure, Insurance agents trying to jam liability, underwriters who don't read reports, etc, etc. Sometimes it seems you don't get "rewarded" for doing your job properly, just grieve because you "killed" somebody's deal.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Good Luck!

TB

 

[TC]

Originally posted by vargasteve@Jun 21 2004, 01:51 PM
The total suggestions of Sharon & 'TC' that they made available for potential appraisers grand total zero.

Mr V,

I don't know where it's written that every poster must reply to a post. I merely stated I thought Sharon gave a good post and I noted at the time it was her first.

For the record, when I got into the biz I had a boss, not a mentor(hate that word, must be a Seinfeld thing). I got lucky, knew a guy I met working out at the Y who said they were looking for trainees. At the time I was deadended at US Steel wasting my time and degree, but making good bucks. Took the leap, never looked back. Back in those days you had to be a RE broker to do appraisals. The company made me get my hands on all aspects of the RE biz, something that is missing today. There are thousands of appraisers out there who never filled out a sales agreement form or have drawn up a lease or got a listing...things that I think are important. O well, my 2 cents.


TC

 

[Kimberly Osborn]

From vargasteve's response:

<<1) Understanding that 2,000 hours is just a beginning - it’s a 3 - 4 year journey to some degree of competence (in a large enough area). >>

I posted earlier but for those who didn't see it, my husband and I both are working towards our certification.

My husband doesn't have the internet computer time that I do and I was telling him today that from reading the boards that it seemed like if you stuck your head out of the hole and spoke for the first 5 years of being an appraiser that you were liable to get your head chopped off.

I can see everyone’s frustration with trainees and those chop shops that send them through. Along with how underwriters seem to think they can wave their magic wand and get what ever price they want just to push a deal through. I see there is allot of history and "bad blood” here that needs to be waded through. Thank heavens I am a patient person.

We are both in our 30's...our purpose is not to become the know it all competition per say (like learn and run) but so we can in the future build into or with a business that has ethics, is creditable and honest and that we enjoy!

I do hope as Doug and I make our journey and become fantastic and well educated appraisers that this board will be there for us. We are both very excited and cautious about this. 2000 hours and years of experience to get where we need to be and to have accreditation and respect in our CHOOSEN field doesn't seem to be that much considering it took me 14 years to get where I am in my current profession and he in his.

 

[Tina]

Yo TC

A boss is someone you "work" for.

A mentor is a teacher.

Don't demean your "mentor".

I'd much rather be called a mentor than a boss.

TB

 

[TC]

A boss can't teach?


TC

 

[Tina]

Not to say a "boss" can't teach...........'

I'd rather work "with" a mentor

TB

 

[Sharon Dossett]

To whom ever reads my post to Jonathan and is a current appraiser, I was not trying to put anyone down. The comments to Jonathan, sounded arrogant to me, and I really felt for the guy.

I had four years of Real Estate behind me before I started my courses, so I knew somewhat what an appraiser's job was. In order to get a good ethical mentor, that pays the trainee, you have to understand the process, and the only way to do that is through the classes. How is a person to know for sure if they will be a good appraiser, or even want to be an appraiser if they don't take the classes? Granted there are some people that spend the money for this training, and walk out thinking they will just jump right into the field running, but they may be unethical (which time will take care of this), or they may never understand the process, or they may hate it after getting started.

What I didn't understand is: Why should anyone try and squash anyone else's dream of doing something they might excel in? Why group all the trainees together as if they are all stupid? Why would you not want others in the profession, could it be that you want it all? Take the comment someone had about only hiring family members, well that to me is a greedy person. Sure it's ok to help the family, but don't broadcast it to the new trainees, it really makes you look bad, because you're family members can be just as stupid as the non related trainees!

Have a nice day tomorrow!

 

[wyecoyote]

To whom ever reads my post to Jonathan and is a current appraiser, I was not trying to put anyone down. The comments to Jonathan, sounded arrogant to me, and I really felt for the guy.

Yes the comments may have sounded arrogant to you and to anyone else new to the forum. But reread your first post. It sounded pretty arrogant coming from you to other appraisers. The point is that what someone posts can sound any way to anyother reader. Depending upon the time that you read the posts. I read the original post and including mine. I know several of the posters from other posts on the forum. They to me do not sound arrogant, but, to someone that is unfamilar with the way in which one posts it can. Also the very question about trainiees has been asked and answered probably once a week. Someone else comes in and asks the same question. Several times this year we have had posters come in stating how they are going to make so much money as an appraiser and they do not have a clue. When someone asks about looking for a job we tell them what to do or not to do. We do not sugar coat it and say that they are owed a job. One has to earn a job as an appraiser. What I would say to you is go through and read the newbies section and count how many times the same question has been asked and answered about becoming an appraiser, how much money, how to find a mentor, and other similar postings. Really look and see also see how many of us regulars post pretty much the same respones. Time and time again. How long before if you had to post the same message would you start just putting down the straight facts and breazing through the respones. Also if someone says that "use the search function" they are considered arrogant.

What I am long winded in saying is that: 1) we who post here regularly do not sugar coat anything even for each other. 2) people asking the same question over and over again does get quite old (stick around you will see). 3) most of us work and do not spend all the time thinking of how to post without hurting someones feelings since to us that are self employed time is money.



OK Sharon, I hope the above does not sound arrogant it in no way is meant to be. I am simply typing down what I think and posting it. Also I make a standard disclaimer I do not run spell checker so any missplellinnns please bear with me. Also I did not major in anglash so there may be times were the thoughts jump around, run on sentences, and bad grammar. (That is why I proof read my reports and run spell checker).

And finally in conclusion.

 

[Tom Foster]

I agree we all needed thicker skin and shouldn’t have to sugar coat everything. It’s a tough world out there. In some of the places I appraise people will kill you for fun.

Many of appraisers I hang around with are gentle, intelligent, living mainly on vegetarian fare, and far more likely to flee from this board rather than confront or attack it.

I have noted that appraisers in many cases have intuitively recognized their close kinship with other appraisers. I have even known appraisers who have lost a child at birth. The next day they kidnapped an infant monkey and raised it as their own.

Tom