New member starting path to becoming a Trainee in MA

[BKoslof]

Wow! Good for you!
I have been a certified residential appraiser for 35 years and I am on the downward side to retirement so I don’t know how much I can help you. When I started, appraisers worked for small and large companies. It was easier to have a company take on a trainee. Now, most appraisers are one or a few appraiser shops so it is hard to find someone to take you on. That will be the hardest part.

But.

You want to be certified general. Again, hats off! I know Framingham like the back of my hand and I can tell you that commercial work is there. If you find a CG appraiser who will take you on, better chance than with us CRs, you will start at the ground floor but you will be taught a lot.

You say you can only work one day a week. From my perspective, that might be a problem. When I got into appraising, I ate, lived and breathed appraising. I did have a newborn but my wife’s income helped out. That is just me but expect to do a lot of work for free until you can convince your mentor what you can do. I did a few commercial appraisals under a CG but I didn’t find it was for me. However, I do know that there are a lot more opportunities for CG so at 40 years old, go for it!

Hi Tom,

Thanks for reaching out! Also I just wanted to clarify that I am only able to devote one day a week during the study period, but hope to work as much as possible to rack up those experience hours! It's just that without an income I need to devote the other days to my current job until I secure a trainee position. Also, it's very true that I may decide to go a different route when I am actually out doing the work, but I figured I might as well work towards Certified General which will give me more options in the future even if I decide to stick mainly with residential work.

And that is good to know about commercial work in Framingham. I see a lot of commercial properties in my current position and I find there is a lot of work, as it is centrally located between Boston-Worcester east/west and Lowell/Providence north/south. Metrowest is also booming right now as people are priced out of prices inside I-95.

 

[Zoe]

Thanks for the tips guys! Yea I don't plan on leaving my current job for a while. I do all contract work and work for a few companies doing the same type of work. I get assigned cases and complete them when I want so I have a very flexible schedule. There is also an endless stream of work so all I need to do is turn the faucet on and off to get more or less cases when I want, so I am in a good position to begin training. It provides me income in the interim but being an employee-at-will allows me to leave at any point (and return on good terms if need be).

Quick follow-up question:

A year or two back when I was out in the field doing inspection surveys and I came across an appraiser who encouraged me to get into the field and do Right-Of-Way work for MASSDOT. He gave me his number and I stored it away. Now that I'm doing the work to become an appraiser I want to call him but I don't know what exactly I should say. I know the general idea but don't want to mess it up since it's one of my best leads. Any tips on what to say or how I should word it? Also, I'm not sure how important this really is but I plan on calling on a Tuesday, as this seems like a good day to call. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Yeah. Just say you would like to do ROW work. There are some appraisers on this forum that have done ROW work for DOT. Hopefully your contact is still in the business.

 

[Zoe]

If you post another thread in the right forum on ROW work for DOT. You will get some responses from appraisers that have done it and are doing it. Wish you well !

 

[Zoe]

If you post another thread in the right forum on ROW work for DOT. You will get some responses from appraisers that have done it and are doing it. Wish you well !

Just tile the thread something like right of way work and explain what you did here. You will find some help.

 

[Zoe]

If you know anybody or anybody or you can contact these people directly.

Trying to help you. You seem like you would be good and eligible.

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation

 

[CREJenn]

Hi all! My name is Ben and have just started taking online courses to become a Trainee. I just turned 40 years old and I live in Framingham, MA and currently work as a loss control specialist going to people's homes and taking photos for insurance companies. I've been working in the field for about 8 years now and want to move into a different area of real estate that is more rewarding financially and personally. Real property appraising appeals to me because I have strong math, writing and analytical skills and is a field that I feel that I have the capability to excel in. I have chosen to use McKissock online classes because I currently work full time and have a 3 year old and another baby on the way so I need the flexibility that online classes provide. I am very early in the process and am only able to devote one full day a week to study, but after two sessions I'm halfway through the first course so in a couple weeks I will be taking the first test! I know I have a long way to go but so far so good! Everything so far is very interesting and my study day has become my favorite day of the week. I look forward to connecting with you all on this forum, especially to people in MA! I welcome advice from anybody everywhere who are also going on this journey as well as seasoned veterans who have been in the business for years. My long term goal is to become Certified General and plan to make the jump directly in that direction, but right now I am taking one step at a time taking classes and looking for a Trainee position under a supervisor. I hope to learn a lot here, stay active and share my experiences as my journey progresses. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime to give me advice, warn me of pitfalls or just to provide me with general info! Thanks again and look forward to connecting with you all!

Hi Ben - are you still looking for a trainee position?

 

[Zoe]

Hi Ben - are you still looking for a trainee position?

Your A little more intuitive than me.

 

[Zoe]

Don't play me real hard. I warn you.

 

[Zoe]

Hi all! My name is Ben and have just started taking online courses to become a Trainee. I just turned 40 years old and I live in Framingham, MA and currently work as a loss control specialist going to people's homes and taking photos for insurance companies. I've been working in the field for about 8 years now and want to move into a different area of real estate that is more rewarding financially and personally. Real property appraising appeals to me because I have strong math, writing and analytical skills and is a field that I feel that I have the capability to excel in. I have chosen to use McKissock online classes because I currently work full time and have a 3 year old and another baby on the way so I need the flexibility that online classes provide. I am very early in the process and am only able to devote one full day a week to study, but after two sessions I'm halfway through the first course so in a couple weeks I will be taking the first test! I know I have a long way to go but so far so good! Everything so far is very interesting and my study day has become my favorite day of the week. I look forward to connecting with you all on this forum, especially to people in MA! I welcome advice from anybody everywhere who are also going on this journey as well as seasoned veterans who have been in the business for years. My long term goal is to become Certified General and plan to make the jump directly in that direction, but right now I am taking one step at a time taking classes and looking for a Trainee position under a supervisor. I hope to learn a lot here, stay active and share my experiences as my journey progresses. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime to give me advice, warn me of pitfalls or just to provide me with general info! Thanks again and look forward to connecting with you all!

Hi Ben. I like you.

 

[Zoe]

They won't play me Ben., Trust me.