My career change is here

[Gary Leduc]

Hello everyone,
I have been in food service management for almost twenty years now.
I am burned out and currently unemployed for the moment.
I am registered for the 90 hour appraiser classes needed that
begins August 5th.
A good friend of mine has his own appraisal company and would be
willing to train me.
He has more than enough work to keep us both busy when I get
out of my classes August 20th.
I am looking for serious advice only please.
Thank you,
Gary Leduc
[/b]

 

[graindart]

Get a copy of your friend's software and start messing around with it.

You'll probably come out of the 90 hours of education not knowing much more than you did before.

If you're not doing anything right now, why don't you start going on the inspections with your friend and holding the dumb side of the tape?

 

[Gary Leduc]

Graindart,
Thanks for the info.
I have rode with him twice and have held the dumb side of the tape.
Actually graduated to taking some measurements myself.
Haven't played with his software yet.
Best regards,
Gary

 

[Dee Dee]

Gary,

Have your friend print out the most frequently used appraisal forms and memorize their layout before you begin typing them on a computer software program.

As a trainee I had problems visually processing and correcting the reports I was doing on a computer screen vs. the actual hard copy on paper. It was frustrating to me and to my mentor. We both knew that I understood what needed to be put in the report, but in spite of that my reports would have errors that were....well.....embarassing and stupid.

I've been appraising for four years now, and I still print out a hard copy of my appraisals to review before I sign off on them and send them where they need to go. For reasons I can't explain (well...I do have a theory), I can catch errors much more quickly on paper than I can on the computer screen. Same goes for any computer software courses....I'll choose books over software programs every time.

 

[George Hatch]

Print out blank copies of the report forms and fill a few of them out by hand (I'd use a pencil) before you start writing reports on the computer. You should also do some diagrams by hand and do the calculations (you can use a calculator) yourself. Using graph paper for the diagrams makes it easier. This will get you used to measuring and calculating angles.

The computer is a valuable tool, but you still need to know the underlying theories and the math so that you'll have some idea when the programs don't work properly. Using other peoples templates for reports is fine, but you need to know exactly what they contain so that you can change them as the situation dictates. I'd never just hand over a computer template for a trainee to use until they had filled out a few by hand.

If you haven't already, spend some time learning how your computer works, especially how to set up and navigate through directories, how to save files and that kind of thing. There are a lot of people who can only do exactly what a couple programs require and not one whit more. I assume that since you're watching this forum that you're at least a little computer savvy. That definitely helps.


George Hatch

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

If your "mentor" has any reference books, such as types of home construction, etc., as well as Marshall and Swift, you could start reviewing those and become at least familiar with the terminology in construction. One of the primary things you will need to know is to observe the construction and make decisions about the type of home, quality of construction, condition, repairs needed (and you will need to know the names of the things that need repair, such as facia, etc.) so you could get a leg up that way.

Riding along and helping is the best way to learn - listen and ask questions if it doesn't drive the mentor crazy.

Another important thing to learn is neighborhoods, areas, etc. You can get a local map and drive around yourself and start previewing neighborhoods.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Another good idea is to go on the Realtor's caravans and LISTEN. After a while, this will bring in work for you and your mentor and will help you get to know the various neighborhoods. When the Realtor's are on caravan, they are more likely to be honest with each other about the various amenities that do mean something. Take notes about each house as you view it as this really helps when using it as a comp. You also might want to take a front pic of it. This creates a great data base and saves time later.

 

[Patti Hunter]

Great advice from everyone. I'm in the same boat as Gary. After 20+ years management experience in banking, home building & real estate office, I'm READY to put it all together!

I'll be starting my training soon in preparation for relocation to Sacramento in October. My husband has been working & living there since December, so I've spent lots of time scouting out the area.

I've been lurking on this board for a week or so, and have found a wealth of great advice from all of you, and will be starting to ask my own questions soon.

Keep up the great work - we "newbies" need all the help we can get.

Patti Hunter

 

[David S. Roberson]

Find someone you know in the construction business who will let you walk around houses under construction in varying staes of being built. It will help you understand what is underneath what you will be looking at.

 

[Gary Leduc]

Hello again,
Thanks to everyone who has responded to my career change
topic.
I am really looking forward to this transition and by reading this
forum, must count myself fortunate to have a good friend who
is willing to be my mentor.
Keep the ideas coming and I am sure I will have more questions for the
pros on this forum.
Thanks again,
Gary [/b]