New to this Forum

[Michael Irvine]

What a great forum! I was employed in the Wireless Communications field for 7 years and was laid off a month ago. Prior to being laid off I had been giving some consideration to a career change and always thought that I would work well in the Real Estate field in some capacity. I know of a few "friends of friends" who have found Real Estate Appraising very prosperous, and with a great deal of consideration I have decided to go into that field.

I signed up for the Real Estate Appraisal Course through Allied Appraisal School, I anticipate completing the course within the next 4 to 6 weeks, my questions are: assuming that I show that I have the ability to do this type of work how difficult will it be to find someone to take me under their wing, what type of income can I expect while being a trainee, if someone hires me is it a job to job basis or is full time employment, and when should I start looking for someone to hire me, that is, should I wait until I pass the course and the State test?

By the way, I live in the Southern California area and the Real Estate and re-financing market are booming out here. I have no doubts in my ability and once I learn the Appraisal process and get a couple years under my belt I feel that this could be a very lucrative career for me. Reading through the forum I have seen that it is the opinion that one shouldn't quit their day job, well what if I don't have a day job?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

If you don't have a "day job" I hope you have some savings and not too high of debts.

Once you finish the class, get the trainee license. The hardest part is getting a first job, try those "friends of friends". You need someone to take you on as a trainee for about 1 year (full time) to get the needed hours to get a full license. Hopefully you can find a good (read "honest") mentor to start you on your way.

That BOOM cycle? It followed a big BUST cycle. Hopefully things will modulate a little more smoothly in the future :!:

good luck. 8)

 

[Doug Smith SRA]

Michael:

As a starting point, set out a personal life goal system. :idea: Then set up a plan that involves contact with as many persons a possible to test your plan and expand on your assumptions. If your final conclusion is that real estate appraising is for you, I suggest it is a long haul for which you must be prepared. Your first thought is to maintain an income while meeting your ultimate goal. Real estate sales may be that avenue but if you are good at something else do that and gradually work into appraising. Start with finding someone who will take you on as a trainee and prepare to sign a non-compete agreement. I have concluded it is impossible to learn appraising only from books and courses. A mentor is a must; a person who can teach you how to inspect, how to measure, how to plan your day and how to work with lenders in practical problems that appraisers meet.

If you have an attitude that could can succeed, it will happen. Ten people will tell you, you will never find someone to train you. If you want to be trained, and you have an attitude to succeed, you will find someone. They will just come to you.