The Holy Grail for trainees: finding the right Supervising Appraiser

[Talyn]

Okay I have been reading posts here and doing some research in other ways too. And I have some questions that I hope some of you wiser folks would be willing to answer.

It appears to me (based off of other's descriptions) that there are two types of Supervising appraisers: Amazing mentors who have the trainee's growth in mind and Apathetic mentors who most likely are solely interested in how much income the trainee can provide (this probably includes many of the AMCs).

The predominant theme I see repeated is that it is nearly impossible to find a great Supervisor. I can see how this naturally occurs. No one wants to "teach the cat".

So here are my questions:

1) How does one go about finding a good Supervising Appraiser? Where does one start looking?

2) Once you find people that are willing to train you, what questions should you ask to determine if they will actually teach anything?

3) If you get stuck with what turns out to be a bad Supervisor, what is the best way to make the best of the situation? Or is it better to keep searching for the Holy Grail?

 

[glenn walker]

I was never able to find the Holy Grail and was trained by an older appraiser who's main goal was to get cheap labor. The mentor was not a bad appraiser but he was just a form filler who today I would consider a Vocational Appraiser and order taker. After I received my license the mentor retired and I started my own business. I spent the next 2 years building a list of local appraisers who I could call on when I got an assignment that was too complex. The blow-off rate was high until I started referring them the complex assignments that I was not comfortable doing.

I never asked for referral fee's and by the second year I had 5 good appraisers willing to take my phone calls and help educate me.

 

[cpalub01]

Okay I have been reading posts here and doing some research in other ways too. And I have some questions that I hope some of you wiser folks would be willing to answer.

It appears to me (based off of other's descriptions) that there are two types of Supervising appraisers: Amazing mentors who have the trainee's growth in mind and Apathetic mentors who most likely are solely interested in how much income the trainee can provide (this probably includes many of the AMCs).

The predominant theme I see repeated is that it is nearly impossible to find a great Supervisor. I can see how this naturally occurs. No one wants to "teach the cat".

So here are my questions:

1) How does one go about finding a good Supervising Appraiser? Where does one start looking?

2) Once you find people that are willing to train you, what questions should you ask to determine if they will actually teach anything?

3) If you get stuck with what turns out to be a bad Supervisor, what is the best way to make the best of the situation? Or is it better to keep searching for the Holy Grail?

I can only speak from personal experience and observation, but the mentors I've had (and mentors that colleagues of mine have had) are somewhere in between those extremes. It's hard enough to find ANYONE willing to train you, much less an ideal mentor. I think as long as you find someone that's ethical, then that's enough. The rest is up to you taking your lumps, self-teaching/learning through classes and your own research, and making yourself visible to other appraisers through going to live classes or becoming active in your local chapter. I've had two, soon to be three, mentors during my first five years in this business, all with their strengths and weaknesses. The reason I've kept moving on, in addition to being fortunate with new opportunities, is (short of finding this Holy Grail appraiser that I have yet to meet) to learn from differing viewpoints/styles and become as good at this profession as I can.

 

[Talyn]

I am sorry for not being completely clear in what I mean by "Holy Grail". It appears to me that finding someone who is simply ethical and willing to teach and mentor someone would be akin to finding "The Holy Grail".

I actually found someone who seems to be a good person and well regarded but he is not interested in training anyone at this time. I have not even taken the initial classes and a I am still in an information gathering stage in this potential process.

I will keep looking at it though! There are many reasons why this field appeals to me. I have no idea where I am going. But I have faith that I am not standing still. :icon_mrgreen:

 

[Meandering]

If you're a great trainee, you can improve a not so great mentor.

But you have to realize this is a very ego centric industry, so, its just not all about you, but rather, you need to make it all about your mentor with gentle nudges of what would benefit both of you.

However, in the current environment, ANY mentor should be considered a GREAT mentor, as they are overcoming a lot to bring you on board. If you wind up being cheap labor, join the local professional organization and pick up the tips and education there. Someone will take notice if you are a great trainee and will pick you up to finish your training.

.

 

[Kim Whiting]

regardless.....once you're licensed at whatever level no one will use you for 5 years.....sound like a good career now?

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I can tell you where to find the grail.
Seek ye the bridge of death!
Just make sure you can answer the 3 questions.

 

[Pilgrum]

regardless.....once you're licensed at whatever level no one will use you for 5 years.....sound like a good career now?

Smoke! AKA BS.
I don't think that in the current climate the possibility of someone not using you after you are certified is nil.
If you find a mentor try to do the best job you can. Ask why. Often. Then study. Constantly. You will learn much here by observing the mistakes of others as vocalized in many of the rants. Never get lazy. Do the job right. If you do make a mistake cop to it immediately. Fix it and move on.
Best of luck to you.

 

[Kim Whiting]

My daughter is just licensed and wet behind the ears.....there isn't an AMC other than the bottom feeders that will even consider her. Most say come back when you're certified and we'll see. of course she can do private work and other non federallyr elated work but that work isn't falling off the trees either.

 

[Financially Feasible]

See my responses below in red:

So here are my questions:

1) How does one go about finding a good Supervising Appraiser? Where does one start looking? My father was my residential supervisor. I didn't have to look far to find him. :icon_mrgreen: As the old saying goes, he has "forgotten more about real estate than I'll ever know". See my answer to #2 regarding my commercial mentor.

2) Once you find people that are willing to train you, what questions should you ask to determine if they will actually teach anything? I got lucky here. In 2006-2007, I saw the "handwriting on the walls" about the residential market. Therefore, I started taking commercial licensing courses just to be prepared in case I wanted to turn to a different direction. The man who became my commercial mentor was the instructor of the class. His grasp of the concepts, ability to answer the class's questions and his calm demeanor were enough of an "interview" for me. I did very well in his classes (I took parts I and II with him) and passed both on the first try. After the classes, we kept in touch regarding my career (I ended up passing all of the other commercial licensing classes) and I sent him some commercial clients that I had to pass on when they contacted me. That was enough of an interview for him. He liked me enough to take me under his wing. He's the only other professional other than my father who I could/would classify as having "forgotten more about real estate than I'll ever know". Like I said, I got lucky.

3) If you get stuck with what turns out to be a bad Supervisor, what is the best way to make the best of the situation? Or is it better to keep searching for the Holy Grail? Technically, I'm not capable of answering this question as I've never had a bad supervisor. My advise? Find a new supervisor... IMMEDIATELY. They are out there.

I hope that this helps.