Part time job?

[Doug Meyer]

Marketing is the key. Since you have time to spare, go visit attorneys that specialize in estates, divorces and bankruptcies. Bankruptcies are huge now and with the new law changes, I believe they must have an appraisal (instead of guess work) for the value of their home. There is business out there, just got to go out and find it!! Almost 10% of my business is now non lender work and I want to keep it growing. Good luck!

 

[J Grant]

I think Mark has excellent ideas re marketing and commitment to the business side of being an appraiser. However, if you need part time income ( since you asked) what about delivering newspapers? they do it early in the morning so it is done by 9 AM, that way if you are doing appraising you have all day to do it. cleaning houses or baby sitting or dog walking is all cash and flexible. wish I had more impressive ideas but any other business you start that can make good money would take the same kind of marketing energy as improving your appraisal business. If you really don't see much future in appraising, you might want to take a course or two at a community college and start slowly retraining for a better field. If you don't mind AMC work, solicit them, but imo in this slow market even they don't have much to give out. BUt try, depending on area, some are busy. Keep chipping away and doing things to make work pick up, however you can.

 

[SRQCUB]

Times are slow, anything i'm bidding on is selective and non bank work, however i've noticed a tremendous amount of properties neglected, in foreclosure, not rented, etc....that need lawn care, picked up an account 2 properties at GPI $2,600 yearly and this is for an investor, will purchase more, sell, people won't use me etc....But if i can get the average number of homes higher per week, nice little side income, more will come (hopefully)

Now the positive side, i'm getting my fat *ss out from behind the desk checking email, praying for work and am talking with the public, don't let them know what i really do, gain more local market knowledge, etc.... lose weight, plus all the properties you really get to look at, different perspective when you can mow someones yard and gain aspect of the neighborhood.

 

[pslagel]

Hi, I am new here but wanted to commet to Mark and J.Grant, your both right. I just got my certified license and the office I use to work for barely has enough orders for the owner. I am doing exactly what you said, on days I don't have work I am cold calling Mortgage offices and banks, and putting in a lot of time researching reputable AMC's to get a start with. While getting my license and hours in I notarized and closed loans, it was a good income with killer hours! The bottom fell out of that as well so my husband and I took a job managing an storage facility, 4 days a week with 3 days off (Mon. - Wed.).

The job comes with housing and utilities paid , it takes a lot of stress off and has enough down time while working that I can catch up on report writing. An added bonus the owners know I am an appraiser and if I must do an inspection during working hours they allow me to take the time off. A situation I fully appreciate.

It's a short term patch until I can get regular work. One full fee appraisal pays for 4 days here....I look at it as what ever we have to do to get through this slow work period.

 

[shadow77]

I am certified. I didn't realize I was logged on under a trainees name. We share computers in my office. My mistake.

 

[Jonathan C]

I've been delivering pizzas for the last 7 months. I typically work Friday and Saturday nights. After fuel expense (which is going down, thank God!) I make about $200-$300 per week. It gives the fam a little spending cash and doesn't interfere with appraisal business (which is barely paying the bills right now).

I delivered pizzas about 12 years ago to help pay for our wedding and it worked out pretty good. Now...it is a necessity!

 

[AppServSol]

Wow. How right is Mark. I was going to chime in that in the past I have taken labor jobs in slow times. But as I think back, just about all of my slow times have been after I have neglected getting new clients or calling on old ones. I remember cold calling on clients when I first started, 15 years ago. I hated it, but it got me going. I took to lunch every friend and friend of a friend in the lending business. Thanks Mark for the inspiration. We are not just supposed to be taking orders and doing appraisals, we must do the business part too. And what is this about AMC's paying too little. AMC's will pay you what you are worth. If you ask for more and deliver more you will get more. I work for AMCs and get full fees 300-400. I have worked for less but only for volume. And if they don't deliver on volume go up on the fee or fire them. If I could make more scrubbing toilets or delivering mail I would, but I can't.

 

[CCAAMO]

Get ASA certified as a fast pitch softball umpire. Pay is around $40 a game which tend to run 1:30 to 1:45 and are at night and on weekends. No bad additional income, all cash and for many an enjoyable way to spend some time.

 

[Delta85]

I'm lucky enough to have a good part time job that is only on the weekends with an option to work more hours during the week if I choose. The job (working with young adults with autism) is rewarding and pays well and since it is only a weekend job it leaves me open to appraise and/or market during the business week.

On really slow weeks I can call and ask for hours during the week and, since it is a 24 hour facility, I can work the 3rd shift during the week and still appraise during the day if need be. I can even use their computers to use MLS and do research. It's a great set up.

I think that is the key to getting through these slow times. You have to have a part time job that you can work around your appraising. Nobody wants to be stuck bagging groceries for $8.00 per hour with appraisal requests sitting on your desk at home.

 

[ryanboldrick]

I am reffing football and basketball this season since I have a baby on the way and business has slowed down a tick. Might look into something like this b/c the games are usually from 4:30 to 9 or so which leaves all day to appraise and write reports.