I was an advalorem appraiser for 14 years and earned my first designation from the IAAO, International Association of Assessing Officers. It was a great training for fee appraising and still refer back to the text books and notes that I used working toward that designation. I was fortunate that I worked in a small office, which mean't I did every thing, title research, some times doing an abstract back to the original federal patent, drafting of maps, contacting attorneys and title companies when there was some thing wrong with the chain of title or legal descriptions and other problems, the field work where I actually measured the properties, then developed an opinion of value back in the office based on the appropriate procedures, techniques and methods, calculating the assessed values for each taxing entity so they could set their tax rates, market research and studies in construction and development costs, researching market information and trends, defending my opinions and decisions to the general public, other government officials, etc, etc, etc. It was very interesting and fascinating. But then I went into fee appraising, discovered it was more interesting and fascinating and have never wanted to go back to advalorem. Other appraisers might have the reverse reaction. The only advantage is a steady pay check (which usually isn't much) and benefits since it is a government job.
