Low fees

[David S. Roberson]

$195,000 a year means $750 per day 5 days a week with no days off ever! Maybe in a cookie cutter market with really busy, good clients, it's possible. Not possible here, though.

 

[Bobby Bucks]

Quote "He just past his first year and should make $195,000+ this year. Another 7 month trainee will gross $115,000 this year. "


I'm reminded of a big game hunter I once knew.......an 8 year old with a brand new BB Gun, a small back yard and a huge imagination.

 

[Joe Birrell (NY)]

There is only one reason for low fees: A-P-P-R-A-I-S-E-R-S !

Who started this ? Appraisers did. Lenders Services was one of the first
(that I can think of) back in the pre FIRREA days , which was started by an
appraiser (with some fancy letters after his name). He probably ran some sweat shop/appraisal mill prior to the AMC brainstorm. And by the way, he
was also very influential during the time FIRREA and the AF was being formulated.

 

[Mike Simpson]

Michael-

Read your reply, and as much as I'd like to "tone-it-down" I gotta respond; "if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem."

We get similar fees here, but cannot make near what you claim. I'm a 7 day a week, 12-16 hour a day guy myself, and it's impossible to make the kind of money you're talking about without cutting major corners (even with the assistance of my wife).

I've worked for & w/12 other appraiser's, and none of them ever made that kind of money...it's simply impossible. It's a matter of "...if the train leaves Virginia @ 9:00 AM & it's traveling @ 60 MPH how long will it take for the Engineer to lose their license if they arrive in L.A. at 11:15 AM?"

What's your ratio of Newbies to licensed appraisers compadre? Do you inspect every property (interior & exterior - don't want that tired old..."I drove by it" Boloney). If not--do you ever check the "did inspect" box when you haven't inspected the property?

The FBI want's to know how to profile the unethical appraiser, and here's how--start with those making more than 3-4 times what the rest of us can't figure out how to make. Look closely at those who have a large stable of Newbies in ratio to licensed appraisers, and you'll be eliminating the worst of the worst.

-Mike

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Do you suppose Michael is the reason the ABQ is wanting to change the rules? I have a hard time believing that stuff too. $195,000 for a first year appraiser? Can you say B.S.?

 

[Frank Bertrand]

remember, "Nothing is as it seems."(posted in CIA lunchroom, Langley VA)

as to fees, I charge what the market indicates. As an appraiser in a market with few appraisers that can be done. If I can work cheaper and smarter, I will and the fee will reflect that. I could care less what others charge.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh Boy! Didn't know the truth would cause such a firestorm! Slanderous comments against myself notwithstanding, what can I say? Jealousy? Envy? What? It's interesting I'm a new poster and I thought I was contributing to a legitimate appraiser discussion board but the ad hominem attacks are unlike any I've received on any borard EVER! LIKE I SAID, I CAN DO AN APPRAISAL FASTER AND JUST AS ACCURATE AS ANYONE I HAVE EVER KNOWN. And that's what I teach my trainees, one of which will gross 195 from me this year (his wife pre-types if I wasn't clear enough in my earlier post, maybe this would have stayved off some of the insults). He also does some other side work good for about another 25-35K and rarely works Sundays. I hold 3 apprasier and 1 broker license and have never had an unethical complaint against me. Im approved on nearly every big approved appraiser list in the country. I also do desk/field reviews for large lenders throughout the country. I was taught appraising by USPAP/Cont. Ed teachers who taught appraising to the very highest of standards. My lenders, mostly real lenders, never require me to sign as inspecting supervisor so that's also not a worry for me. There appraiser trainess license plus my license is all they need. Last year I needed to re-inspect less than 20 homes. All of which I was happy to do in person Mike Simpson. Smelling a little green? I actually worked with another appraiser who testified for the FBI about fraudulent appraisers and LO's a few years ago. So I know exactly what they look for and I have nothing to worry about. And why would I worry about what America thinks of my job. I paid my way through college to get a degree in real estate. Half appraised/half waited tables throught the 90's. And now in Northern VA, the second bussiest market in America I am taking advantage of my business skills, personal communication skills, (I also do 2-4 free comp runs every day!) and efficiency skills and making a good living at my business. YES PEOPLE, REAL ESTATE APPRAISING IS A BUSINESS. Ive read too many times people stand up on their high horse saying how they'll tell their client to take a hike, or Im firing them (not an attack to the poster who wrote the last one, just an example) for some rediculous reason. That's how I get clients. Moral superiority of some for pig-headed reasons about this-or-that makes my life much easier. Any of the elitists here ever been shown better comps by a realtor who might have sold something outside of MLS, or a FSBO but refused to adjust value accordingly if the case warrants??? Anyone here bring in sale after sale low because they dont understand market appreciation and think that working the other side (being a realtor) is for dummies? What realtors generally see, myself included is the real world! I sell or list at least a house a month and my work with other realtors accounts for a nice little piece of extra appraising. The ease that my clients have with me makes for very relaxed, fiercely loyal clients that generally accept what I put in a report no questions asked. I don't get brow-beaten, coerced (to any more of a degree that anyone else does here) so do don't take it out on me! To Charlotte and Randy, thanks for your kind words. I have no reason to lie, I DON'T KNOW ANYONE HERE! And to Mike Garrett, RAA (by the way designations are for those looking to justify their careers and while you were in class I was out soliciting your client :2gunfire: ) nice mouth. Well this ought to really get you! I'm also a multi-million dollar sales agent last two years running with no assistant. So can you hardly belive what I make, Mike. We are talking HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. My best friend owns a mortgage company with 6 LO's. And when he has to do an out of town deal from what he tells me he probably deals with a lot of appraisers like you mike garrett, RAA! You know who you are. I would offer to prove what I say but what's the point? Actually Ill prove it for a fee and Ill even give you the chance to buy my pamphlet Im working on to teach appraiser efficiency for the horrid examples of (some) of the appraisers here who so desperately need it. That's it for me folks, this site is DEAD to me. You all quarrell and whine amongst yourselves, I'VE GOT BUSINESS TO TEND TO. Life is good.

 

[Willie]

Michael said "LIKE I SAID, I CAN DO AN APPRAISAL FASTER AND JUST AS ACCURATE AS ANYONE I HAVE EVER KNOWN". You also certainly have the biggest mouth of anyone on this board. If you're leaving this board because of a little criticism, you might also be the most thin skinned appraiser we've heard of. We didn't know it was 2 rather than 1 trainee doing $195,000. Still sounds high. You left out that detail, probably like you leave out details in your reports. LOL. Some of us are the best fastest most accurate appraisers we know. Also, our bathrooms don't stink after we go. Leave Garrett alone. If you are gonna state facts, state them to the fullest. To many of us, you sounded like a runner of a sweat shop. Maybe you aren't but it sounded like it to us. See you in Fairfax, those cookie cutters sound great.

 

[Bobby Bucks]

Michael, easy up pal, no need to get upset. For the most part this forum tends to be a jealous and anal lot. If you make twice what the rest of us do, keep it under your hat. I once made a similar mistake by posting my photo in here. Now all the guys hate me and the chicks won’t leave me
alone. Just notch back a degree or two in pretension and you’ll fit right in. Actually I’m a little concerned for your safety too. I’m glad you’re raking in the bucks, but be careful......some appraisers are getting physically attacked these days. Do you use a roller wheel for measuring with a Sony
Walkman? Are you doing any high volume HUD work? Do you go by the name Vic?

 

[Willie]

Bobby, some of us on this board don't give a rats behind what any other appraisers make. Who cares what some in some other state is making.