New member starting path to becoming a Trainee in MA

[BKoslof]

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!

 

[gorillakimchi]

Welcome! Hope you have enough savings and finding a good supervisor in your area.

 

[Tom D]

This is a great place to learn. Don't leave full time job until you have money saved in the bank to take the down time in this business. You need at least to have minimum 6 months saved. Other than that, the worst is still yet to come. But if you can hold out to become a cg you might be ok, if you can survive that long to get it. Do not leave a job that pays your bills right now.

 

[Red Flint]

Mentor search, from ma-ri-me-appraisalinstitute.org:

Q1 2025 Chapter Business Meeting and Economic Outlook and Real Estate Trends 2025 @ Connelly Center @ the Federal Reserve Boston

Jan 29 @ 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

When: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Where: Connelly Center @ the Federal Reserve Boston, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA

Schedule of Events:

• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm / Luncheon Served / Q1 2025 Chapter Business Meeting
• 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm / Two Hour CE Program

Change is a constant and, at this moment, change is occurring quickly in our real estate markets. Join us for our annual economic forum where we have teamed with an all-star panel to discuss the Greater Boston and New England real estate market. The program will include presentations regarding trends in the downtown office market, the suburban office, industrial, and warehouse markets, and an overview of current economic trends affecting these markets. In addition to these valuable presentations, this is a great networking event. Meet new people, see old friends. See you there.

Panelists:

• David Stubblebine, President – The Stubblebine Company
• Jay Driscoll, Principal – Avison Young
• Elizabeth Berthelette, CRE, Head of Northeast Research & National Life Science Research – Newmark

Continuing Education Credit: This program is approved by the Appraisal Institute for 2 hours (10 AI points) and the states of MA, ME and NH. Applications have been submitted to RI and VT.for two hours of state of CE credit. If you need Connecticut CT credit, reach out to the Chapter office for assistance.

 

[J Grant]

Try the MA branch of the Appraisal Instutite - they might post job offerings from their members. There used to be a searchable online AI list of jobs and training positions - there might still be one

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

This is a great place to learn. Don't leave full time job until you have money saved in the bank to take the down time in this business. You need at least to have minimum 6 months saved. Other than that, the worst is still yet to come. But if you can hold out to become a cg you might be ok, if you can survive that long to get it. Do not leave a job that pays your bills right now.

Agree totally. I have two other active sources of income outside appraising. One that pays better with limited hours possible and one with close to unlimited hours possible with lower pay. Diversify.