Ken Youngkrantz
Junior Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2003
- Professional Status
- Licensed Appraiser
- State
- California
This was posted as a reply to a question I posted earlier.
A Program to Find a Mentor if Your Mom or Dad is not an Appraiser
Sometimes it may take not one mentor but many to accomplish your goals. While you may concentrate on finding a “report signer”, you may be better served by finding several people from whom you can learn. A mentor does not have to be an appraiser but can be a banker, real estate professional, a home inspector or a business analyst. You may find an appraiser who, while they might not want to sign for you, will welcome you to come on inspections and teach you how to measure a house. When I hear newcomers talking about finding a mentor, I conclude they are not looking for a teacher; they are looking for someone to sign their reports, punch their ticket. When you search for mentor, make it a search for person who will teach you, not someone who you will use just to fill up your log. For the teacher, it must be a two way street. Take a long time to figure out what your part will be. Will you help with filing, with doing research; will you contribute to the whole process in meaningful way? There is only one reason for the experience hours. It is that there is a lot of knowledge and skills that must be brought to table to become a really good appraiser. Make the most of the process.
Do not fall into the trap of concluding that established appraisers do not want to train their competition. As an appraiser "wannabee," not all established appraisers want to help you or even spend time talking with you. There are many shortsighted individuals who feel that new appraisers have to pay their dues and undergo the trials of "survival of the fittest." There are also, however, many who have a larger view of the industry who step forward as mentors and counselors in an effort to improve the professionalism of the industry and encourage high standards. There are two kinds of persons in this industry. The first group makes it their practice to offer appraisal services, "Fast-Cheap or Good" with the client only able to pick two out of three. The others do excellent work, charge for excellent work, and promote the profession in word and work product. Gravitate to appraisers who do excellent work and not to those who offer, "fast, cheap or good, you get two out of three."
The foundations of the profession of appraising are skills, knowledge and attitude. If you start out with the right attitude, a will to succeed and an open mind, you will meet and work with mentors who will give you a leg up and help with your skills and knowledge.
The starting point of finding someone to be a “report signer” is to make up your mind there is someone out there who will help you. Then make a plan. It is the plan that will make or break you. Appraisers are frequently asked to become mentors. You are part of the clutter. Make up your mind you are not part of the clutter, you have something to contribute and stand out from the crowd.
Here are my specific suggestions:
You have to sit down and make a list of all the appraisers within 100 miles.
Go to the ASB website (National Registry of Appraisers)
http://www.ASC.gov/content/category1/nr_intro.aspx?id=10
Down load all the active appraisers in the list.
Then cross reference that list with the phone book and Internet sites (go to my website where there is a comprehensive list of appraiser listings
http://www.datamontana.com/FindAppraiser.aspx
Once you have that list, determine if they do residential work or commercial work
Prepare a resume
Prepare a list of jobs you are willing to do like research etc.
State your intention. Are you going to compete in this area or are you going to move to another area?
Decide what you can offer the appraiser who trains you.
Then, start contacting.
Try for a personal interview Failing that-ask them if you can send them your packet.
Next: Go where the appraisers are:
Join the Appraisal Institute as an unlicensed member- Double check with all appraisers who are member of the Appraisal Institute
Attend Appraisal Institute meetings
Go to CE classes where you will meet other appraisers.
Don't overlook the appraisers that work for banks and the Department of Revenue. There are many appraisers that hold licenses but work for companies. Your local Electric Power Company may have a real estate staff and some of those persons might be licensed appraisers. These persons are not worried about competition and they may be willing to help you. They may want to keep their hand in “real” appraising.
Join NAIFA as an unlicensed member. Double check with all appraisers who are members of the NAIFA
Then put yourself on the firing line where you will have a chance to work in the business and possibly meet other appraisers:
Set up a website offering to do research for comparables/ property inspections
Go to real estate agents and volunteer to put together their Broker's Price Opinions in the form of appraisals. Measure houses for real estate agents and assist them with brochure write-ups.
Trouble shoot computer problems for appraisers and real estate companies.
Put an ad in the paper- advertising to do real estate research.
Seek out part time work with a title company.
Seek out part time work with the property assessor office. They often hire contract persons to assist with photographs and field measurements.
There would be no appraisers if someone did not train. Make up your mind there is someone out there and do the pick and shovel work to find that person.
Good luck.
P.S. The most significant help you can give your self in finding mentor is to read:
“Selling The Invisible” A Field Guide to Modern Marketing by Harry Beckwith. It focuses on selling a service business but it can help you sell yourself. It is a great read…
--------------------
Doug Smith, Southwest Montana
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/images/will_..._food_-_gif.gif
A Program to Find a Mentor if Your Mom or Dad is not an Appraiser
Sometimes it may take not one mentor but many to accomplish your goals. While you may concentrate on finding a “report signer”, you may be better served by finding several people from whom you can learn. A mentor does not have to be an appraiser but can be a banker, real estate professional, a home inspector or a business analyst. You may find an appraiser who, while they might not want to sign for you, will welcome you to come on inspections and teach you how to measure a house. When I hear newcomers talking about finding a mentor, I conclude they are not looking for a teacher; they are looking for someone to sign their reports, punch their ticket. When you search for mentor, make it a search for person who will teach you, not someone who you will use just to fill up your log. For the teacher, it must be a two way street. Take a long time to figure out what your part will be. Will you help with filing, with doing research; will you contribute to the whole process in meaningful way? There is only one reason for the experience hours. It is that there is a lot of knowledge and skills that must be brought to table to become a really good appraiser. Make the most of the process.
Do not fall into the trap of concluding that established appraisers do not want to train their competition. As an appraiser "wannabee," not all established appraisers want to help you or even spend time talking with you. There are many shortsighted individuals who feel that new appraisers have to pay their dues and undergo the trials of "survival of the fittest." There are also, however, many who have a larger view of the industry who step forward as mentors and counselors in an effort to improve the professionalism of the industry and encourage high standards. There are two kinds of persons in this industry. The first group makes it their practice to offer appraisal services, "Fast-Cheap or Good" with the client only able to pick two out of three. The others do excellent work, charge for excellent work, and promote the profession in word and work product. Gravitate to appraisers who do excellent work and not to those who offer, "fast, cheap or good, you get two out of three."
The foundations of the profession of appraising are skills, knowledge and attitude. If you start out with the right attitude, a will to succeed and an open mind, you will meet and work with mentors who will give you a leg up and help with your skills and knowledge.
The starting point of finding someone to be a “report signer” is to make up your mind there is someone out there who will help you. Then make a plan. It is the plan that will make or break you. Appraisers are frequently asked to become mentors. You are part of the clutter. Make up your mind you are not part of the clutter, you have something to contribute and stand out from the crowd.
Here are my specific suggestions:
You have to sit down and make a list of all the appraisers within 100 miles.
Go to the ASB website (National Registry of Appraisers)
http://www.ASC.gov/content/category1/nr_intro.aspx?id=10
Down load all the active appraisers in the list.
Then cross reference that list with the phone book and Internet sites (go to my website where there is a comprehensive list of appraiser listings
http://www.datamontana.com/FindAppraiser.aspx
Once you have that list, determine if they do residential work or commercial work
Prepare a resume
Prepare a list of jobs you are willing to do like research etc.
State your intention. Are you going to compete in this area or are you going to move to another area?
Decide what you can offer the appraiser who trains you.
Then, start contacting.
Try for a personal interview Failing that-ask them if you can send them your packet.
Next: Go where the appraisers are:
Join the Appraisal Institute as an unlicensed member- Double check with all appraisers who are member of the Appraisal Institute
Attend Appraisal Institute meetings
Go to CE classes where you will meet other appraisers.
Don't overlook the appraisers that work for banks and the Department of Revenue. There are many appraisers that hold licenses but work for companies. Your local Electric Power Company may have a real estate staff and some of those persons might be licensed appraisers. These persons are not worried about competition and they may be willing to help you. They may want to keep their hand in “real” appraising.
Join NAIFA as an unlicensed member. Double check with all appraisers who are members of the NAIFA
Then put yourself on the firing line where you will have a chance to work in the business and possibly meet other appraisers:
Set up a website offering to do research for comparables/ property inspections
Go to real estate agents and volunteer to put together their Broker's Price Opinions in the form of appraisals. Measure houses for real estate agents and assist them with brochure write-ups.
Trouble shoot computer problems for appraisers and real estate companies.
Put an ad in the paper- advertising to do real estate research.
Seek out part time work with a title company.
Seek out part time work with the property assessor office. They often hire contract persons to assist with photographs and field measurements.
There would be no appraisers if someone did not train. Make up your mind there is someone out there and do the pick and shovel work to find that person.
Good luck.
P.S. The most significant help you can give your self in finding mentor is to read:
“Selling The Invisible” A Field Guide to Modern Marketing by Harry Beckwith. It focuses on selling a service business but it can help you sell yourself. It is a great read…
--------------------
Doug Smith, Southwest Montana
http://www.appraisaltoday.com/images/will_..._food_-_gif.gif
