PAREA: Darn the torpedoes / 3 Sheets to the Wind

[bnmappraisal]

Certified is certified I would imagine regardless of where the "experience " came from. Right?

Yes, technically. I'll never forget that drive home after passing my Cert test thinking "D@mn, I made it, I really made it!"

But I will tell you, you learn quickly that just because you passed the exam doesn't mean Jack in the real world.
Real world/field experience can really be eye opening depending on your market

As @Michigan CG has as a sig line "you don't know what you don't know"
That is VERY true in this industry

So, IMO, "Certified" is not the same as certified, even if you both have the same license level

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

Very good point, George, and one that took me many years to wrap my head around
Since I am strictly RES, and a good chunk of my book is lending work, it sometimes is hard to step back and realize what USPAP says to do vs what Fannie/Freddie (FHA, etc) says to do

One of the big things that many RES have trouble with is the whole "inspection" of the subject thing. I literally just finished up a private/non lending assignment about an hour ago
Desktop Appraisal. No inspection of the subject property. Client was happy with that, although I did offer to inspect/measure - client didn't need that
Difference in fee (inspect vs no inspect) was only 20% discount.

But when your mind is simply in the F/F world, it is hard to wrap your head around "how can you appraise a property you never see in person?!"

We appraise new construction before it is built. The key is getting information about the property.

 

[bnmappraisal]

Yea, I know that. I do a decent amount of new/pre-construction. SUBJ TO all day long

The thing is, and there are many threads about it, many get caught up with the whole inspection thing. We don't have to inspect SQUAT! That comes down to the SOW

I just remember being caught up in the whole "inspection" and 1004 form type thinking until I started talking to seasoned appraisers and USPAP instructors who schooled me on the "difference" between USPAP and client requirements (i.e. F/F/FHA inspection requirements, etc)

 

[bnmappraisal]

Just go back and look through so many of the hybrid/desktop type threads and appraisers freaking out that they (the appraiser) does not actually inspect/measure the subject property
Those are the type of appraisers I am talking about. The ones (and I used to be one) that think the only way to appraise a Single Family Res house is to actually go out and see it, measure it, take pictures of it. That simply isn't the case! But it took me a while to figure that out, sadly

 

[George Hatch]

It's not just the technical competency that's at issue. It's also the experience with respect to acting in the role. Our professional ethics are under *constant* assault with various parties enjoining us to act as if we're part of their team. It's people constantly trying to appeal our conclusions. It's the feedback from reviewers and underwriters. It's trying to find that line between acting professionally with people as opposed to getting chummy with them on one extreme or coming across as hostile on the other extreme. It's 1000 little details, none of which are difficult to learn but in the aggregate take a long time to come across and learn the lesson.

When you're working for someone they will at least have developed most of their coping skills, which even if they're suboptimal will still be a better starting point for a new appraiser than no example at all.

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

Just go back and look through so many of the hybrid/desktop type threads and appraisers freaking out that they (the appraiser) does not actually inspect/measure the subject property
Those are the type of appraisers I am talking about. The ones (and I used to be one) that think the only way to appraise a Single Family Res house is to actually go out and see it, measure it, take pictures of it. That simply isn't the case! But it took me a while to figure that out, sadly

My issue is if the liability tries to get pinned on me for the other persons mistakes.

 

[Non Sequitur]

Certified is certified I would imagine regardless of where the "experience " came from. Right?

On paper, yes. And that's a problem for the noob, it will be a trial by fire.

 

[bnmappraisal]

My issue is if the liability tries to get pinned on me for the other persons mistakes.

I understand that, but that's where the SOW part of the assignment comes into play
FTR, I have not done any of the F/F hybrid type assignments, but I have done many Desktop appraisals for private/non-lending purposes
My scope of work, along with communication with my client, is clear that I DO NOT physically inspect the property and am relying on other sources for info/data regarding the subject

I do not offer this option to all clients nor on all assignments, but it is just another "tool in the toolbelt" sort of thing

 

[Non Sequitur]

To clarify, I was more referring to the negative comments around PAREA and not necessarily around CAs not taking on trainees. I know there are some inherent shortcomings with the traditional supervisor / trainee relationship and this has nothing to do with fear of training competition. I have a very good friend (he was my best man) that's been certified for around 12 years and even he isn't interested in a trainee. His reasons are more around the fact that he has the work/life balance he wants right now, and good friend or not, he can't rationalize taking away from that to spend 1500+ hours training me. He's not set up for a trainee. He works from home and doesn't have the space, desk etc. He's been working very hard for over 10 years to become EXTREMELY well at what he does and it's afforded him a very good life. He travels all over the place basically whenever he wants for weeks at a time and a trainee would take away from everything he's been working for. Can't say I blame him either.

Bolding mine.

I don't know your friend, but there are no secrets in this business. I suspect there's way more to the story because if this (bolding above) were true a trainee is exactly what he needs.

I don't believe your buddy is being 100% straight with you, but who ever is? I wish you luck.

 

[Highlander416]

Think of it like teaching. A new teacher can obtain a degree, pass the exams and do a stint as a student teacher. They are certified. But, once they are in a classroom with no other teachers and 30 high school students, the real test begins. The students will test the teacher and exploit any weakness they see. Some teachers adapt, figure out how to deal with the real world issues of a classroom. Others bail out, many before they make it 5 years in. Similarly, an appraiser is tested by the market participants in real world situations. They (brokers, lenders) will test the limits and look for weakness. It is how the new appraiser learns and adapts that will be the final exam.