Trainee/Supervisor dynamics and finding a supervisor

[karenlouise24]

Hi all!
My name is Karen (yes, I know -- horrible name to have) and I recently moved to a new city. I've always considered appraisal as a career, but it seemed daunting with the number of supervised hours. Like many, I have a hard time depending on others and not figuring out things on my own so choosing a career that is so dependent on help and assistance from people that you'll essentially be taking workload away from at a later date seemed like a non-starter.
However, I'm in a place where financially, I could dive in and at least complete the education portion and get licensed as a trainee. My state was quick on their apps and I'm a weirdo that loves tests, so I managed to get the license in two weeks. And now I'm at this crossroads where I'm not sure what the next best step would be.
I currently have a full time, very rewarding business. However, I am slowly taking steps to eventually hand it over as it is high stress and not something sustainable for the rest of my career years. With that, I originally thought that since I own the business and dictate my hours, I could train under someone part time solely for experience and not like a paid internship. But I'm seeing now that that may not be the norm and sups may see trainees as both a time and financial burden.
I want to get many of my hours in my local area since it is pretty specific and unlike other areas within the state. But there are only 17 certified appraisers here. When reaching out, how best can I go about explaining what I'm looking for and making sure they know that I want to shadow and learn, but will try and respect their time so they don't feel a major impact by taking me under their wing? I'm not a big phone person (probably because I feel like I live on phone and video calls) but would that be a better method of contact than emailing? Should I put together a resume and cover letter to mail to their physical offices?
Let me know what tactics you have used/are utilizing to get these hours. And let me know, too, if it would be better for me to hold off until my company is completely handed over and then dive in full time on the hours. From a security standpoint, I would rather not do that, but I understand if there might be a concern about me potentially not taking things seriously.
Thanks!

 

[Tiffany Gibbons]

Hi all!
My name is Karen (yes, I know -- horrible name to have) and I recently moved to a new city. I've always considered appraisal as a career, but it seemed daunting with the number of supervised hours. Like many, I have a hard time depending on others and not figuring out things on my own so choosing a career that is so dependent on help and assistance from people that you'll essentially be taking workload away from at a later date seemed like a non-starter.
However, I'm in a place where financially, I could dive in and at least complete the education portion and get licensed as a trainee. My state was quick on their apps and I'm a weirdo that loves tests, so I managed to get the license in two weeks. And now I'm at this crossroads where I'm not sure what the next best step would be.
I currently have a full time, very rewarding business. However, I am slowly taking steps to eventually hand it over as it is high stress and not something sustainable for the rest of my career years. With that, I originally thought that since I own the business and dictate my hours, I could train under someone part time solely for experience and not like a paid internship. But I'm seeing now that that may not be the norm and sups may see trainees as both a time and financial burden.
I want to get many of my hours in my local area since it is pretty specific and unlike other areas within the state. But there are only 17 certified appraisers here. When reaching out, how best can I go about explaining what I'm looking for and making sure they know that I want to shadow and learn, but will try and respect their time so they don't feel a major impact by taking me under their wing? I'm not a big phone person (probably because I feel like I live on phone and video calls) but would that be a better method of contact than emailing? Should I put together a resume and cover letter to mail to their physical offices?
Let me know what tactics you have used/are utilizing to get these hours. And let me know, too, if it would be better for me to hold off until my company is completely handed over and then dive in full time on the hours. From a security standpoint, I would rather not do that, but I understand if there might be a concern about me potentially not taking things seriously.
Thanks!

Hello Karen. What is your current full time very rewarding business? And why do you think that being a real estate appraiser will be a low stress job?

I find it truly amazing (to the point of being unbelievable) that you have been about to complete a 15 hour USPAP Course, a 30 hour Principles Course, a 30 hour Procedures Class, a 4 hour Trainee and Supervisor Class, submitted the application fee of $300, gotten your background check and finger prints done all in two weeks and did all that prior to finding a supervisor. And your love of tests! I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that my entire life. Why don't you want to be a lawyer, doctor, or CPA instead of appraiser? I'm just curious how people that do not have any knowledge of appraisal decide to become an appraiser out of the blue. I had already been working for a different appraiser, so I had typed tons of appraisals, was experienced in using the sketch program to draw sketches from the appraiser's rough sketch, searching for comps in MLS, etc. Not to mention you have just moved to a new city, so how would you even have knowledge of the real estate market in the area to be able to help your supervisor out? I proved I could increase my supervisor's production of appraisal reports. That is how I got my experience hours. Lots of people think they want to be appraisers when really they just want to go and measure houses. They don't want to type reports or do research, which is the hard part. You might see about getting on at the local County Assessor of Property. They will pay for your education and you will have benefits like vacation and benefits.

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

Hi all!
My name is Karen (yes, I know -- horrible name to have) and I recently moved to a new city. I've always considered appraisal as a career, but it seemed daunting with the number of supervised hours. Like many, I have a hard time depending on others and not figuring out things on my own so choosing a career that is so dependent on help and assistance from people that you'll essentially be taking workload away from at a later date seemed like a non-starter.
However, I'm in a place where financially, I could dive in and at least complete the education portion and get licensed as a trainee. My state was quick on their apps and I'm a weirdo that loves tests, so I managed to get the license in two weeks. And now I'm at this crossroads where I'm not sure what the next best step would be.
I currently have a full time, very rewarding business. However, I am slowly taking steps to eventually hand it over as it is high stress and not something sustainable for the rest of my career years. With that, I originally thought that since I own the business and dictate my hours, I could train under someone part time solely for experience and not like a paid internship. But I'm seeing now that that may not be the norm and sups may see trainees as both a time and financial burden.
I want to get many of my hours in my local area since it is pretty specific and unlike other areas within the state. But there are only 17 certified appraisers here. When reaching out, how best can I go about explaining what I'm looking for and making sure they know that I want to shadow and learn, but will try and respect their time so they don't feel a major impact by taking me under their wing? I'm not a big phone person (probably because I feel like I live on phone and video calls) but would that be a better method of contact than emailing? Should I put together a resume and cover letter to mail to their physical offices?
Let me know what tactics you have used/are utilizing to get these hours. And let me know, too, if it would be better for me to hold off until my company is completely handed over and then dive in full time on the hours. From a security standpoint, I would rather not do that, but I understand if there might be a concern about me potentially not taking things seriously.
Thanks!

Did you start the business or did you inherit it? If you started your own business it shows being self motivated to me at least. Must be able to operate it remotely unless you moved the business. I started a business completely unrelated to appraising. Unfortunately the bigger businesses lobbied to have regulations and laws to make it near impossible for my small business to compete and had to make a change. You may have to be willing to move unless you get lucky. Perhaps focus on where you can add value rather than what you want when speaking to a potential supervisor. Yes it is tough. I admit I have been more of the number cruncher/analyst type and I had to get better on the phone and communication skills. Its easier when speaking to someone with a financial interest in the transaction. You really need to be able to pick up the phone to verify information when necessary. You don't need to be a big phone person, I try to keep it to the point and as short as possible especially when the person doesn't really care to talk to you, so you don't need to be a big phone person.

 

[IlliniApp]

Hi all!
My name is Karen (yes, I know -- horrible name to have) and I recently moved to a new city. I've always considered appraisal as a career, but it seemed daunting with the number of supervised hours. Like many, I have a hard time depending on others and not figuring out things on my own so choosing a career that is so dependent on help and assistance from people that you'll essentially be taking workload away from at a later date seemed like a non-starter.
However, I'm in a place where financially, I could dive in and at least complete the education portion and get licensed as a trainee. My state was quick on their apps and I'm a weirdo that loves tests, so I managed to get the license in two weeks. And now I'm at this crossroads where I'm not sure what the next best step would be.
I currently have a full time, very rewarding business. However, I am slowly taking steps to eventually hand it over as it is high stress and not something sustainable for the rest of my career years. With that, I originally thought that since I own the business and dictate my hours, I could train under someone part time solely for experience and not like a paid internship. But I'm seeing now that that may not be the norm and sups may see trainees as both a time and financial burden.
I want to get many of my hours in my local area since it is pretty specific and unlike other areas within the state. But there are only 17 certified appraisers here. When reaching out, how best can I go about explaining what I'm looking for and making sure they know that I want to shadow and learn, but will try and respect their time so they don't feel a major impact by taking me under their wing? I'm not a big phone person (probably because I feel like I live on phone and video calls) but would that be a better method of contact than emailing? Should I put together a resume and cover letter to mail to their physical offices?
Let me know what tactics you have used/are utilizing to get these hours. And let me know, too, if it would be better for me to hold off until my company is completely handed over and then dive in full time on the hours. From a security standpoint, I would rather not do that, but I understand if there might be a concern about me potentially not taking things seriously.
Thanks!

A. I truly feel terribly for all the people named Karen in today's culture. B. You are finding out that the appraisers' forum is a tough crowd. Good luck in your future endeavors.

 

[karenlouise24]

Hello Karen. What is your current full time very rewarding business? And why do you think that being a real estate appraiser will be a low stress job?

I find it truly amazing (to the point of being unbelievable) that you have been about to complete a 15 hour USPAP Course, a 30 hour Principles Course, a 30 hour Procedures Class, a 4 hour Trainee and Supervisor Class, submitted the application fee of $300, gotten your background check and finger prints done all in two weeks and did all that prior to finding a supervisor. And your love of tests! I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that my entire life. Why don't you want to be a lawyer, doctor, or CPA instead of appraiser? I'm just curious how people that do not have any knowledge of appraisal decide to become an appraiser out of the blue. I had already been working for a different appraiser, so I had typed tons of appraisals, was experienced in using the sketch program to draw sketches from the appraiser's rough sketch, searching for comps in MLS, etc. Not to mention you have just moved to a new city, so how would you even have knowledge of the real estate market in the area to be able to help your supervisor out? I proved I could increase my supervisor's production of appraisal reports. That is how I got my experience hours. Lots of people think they want to be appraisers when really they just want to go and measure houses. They don't want to type reports or do research, which is the hard part. You might see about getting on at the local County Assessor of Property. They will pay for your education and you will have benefits like vacation and benefits.

I'm in third party reproduction helping couples bring babies into the world. So the stress levels are intense since there is nothing more emotional than that. I do love it, but I knew it would be about a 10 year plan as it's high anxiety around the clock.
I have a decent working knowledge of this market on the residential side from the last few years of studying it for our own purchases (we flip homes). But there is still quite a bit more for me to learn. As far as tests/school, I finished my Bachelor's in 2 years too so it's just how I roll. It's not great in some aspects since I tend to hyperfocus, but I hate having things hang over my head and prefer to just swoop through.
I was in RE for 5 years which is when I first considered appraisal. So it isn't completely out of the blue. I do have a love of RE but found that I truly enjoyed the appraisal side/courses the most.

 

[karenlouise24]

Did you start the business or did you inherit it? If you started your own business it shows being self motivated to me at least. Must be able to operate it remotely unless you moved the business. I started a business completely unrelated to appraising. Unfortunately the bigger businesses lobbied to have regulations and laws to make it near impossible for my small business to compete and had to make a change. You may have to be willing to move unless you get lucky. Perhaps focus on where you can add value rather than what you want when speaking to a potential supervisor. Yes it is tough. I admit I have been more of the number cruncher/analyst type and I had to get better on the phone and communication skills. Its easier when speaking to someone with a financial interest in the transaction. You really need to be able to pick up the phone to verify information when necessary. You don't need to be a big phone person, I try to keep it to the point and as short as possible especially when the person doesn't really care to talk to you, so you don't need to be a big phone person.

I started it. I truly do love it, but know for my physical/mental health as well as family/work balance that it isn't a forever thing. I could see myself doing volunteer work in the future that relates to my current field to fulfill that passion without needing to be full steam ahead.
I'll definitely talk to people on the phone. Ha! I do it all day long. But I'll take an email any day over phone if possible.

 

[karenlouise24]

A. I truly feel terribly for all the people named Karen in today's culture. B. You are finding out that the appraisers' forum is a tough crowd. Good luck in your future endeavors.

It's so horrible! You have no idea how often I feel like I can't speak up since I'll be dismissed anyway based on my name. The worst part is I'm only 36. People see my name and assume I'm much older. Freaking parents.

 

[Tiffany Gibbons]

I'm in third party reproduction helping couples bring babies into the world. So the stress levels are intense since there is nothing more emotional than that. I do love it, but I knew it would be about a 10 year plan as it's high anxiety around the clock.
I have a decent working knowledge of this market on the residential side from the last few years of studying it for our own purchases (we flip homes). But there is still quite a bit more for me to learn. As far as tests/school, I finished my Bachelor's in 2 years too so it's just how I roll. It's not great in some aspects since I tend to hyperfocus, but I hate having things hang over my head and prefer to just swoop through.
I was in RE for 5 years which is when I first considered appraisal. So it isn't completely out of the blue. I do have a love of RE but found that I truly enjoyed the appraisal side/courses the most.

Well, good luck! You should find a supervisor in no time. I had no idea Arizona was that on top of things. TN would never be that on top of applications, especially during COVID. Get a trial version of Clickforms and practice appraisal reports on all your "flip" properties.

 

[Salty]

Be sure inform yourself about the realistic income potential of a residential appraiser in your area and the future outlook. Do not make a bad career decision. It can be a long road and for some it may not be worth it in some areas. At least not as a sole source of income. Appraisal is never like the classes. Not even close. Some adjustments can take hours to derive and the AMC dominated arena does not want to pay for that. I do not know much about the commercial side, but residential - no way. That said if you want to go commercial do that from the start. My experience of those around me shows that 9 out of 10 who say they will go commercial after residential never do. Once you have the trainee experience, you will probably not want to go through it again. Long, long hours and no to little pay for 2 years. Supervisor says jump you say how high. That's how it is since is it so difficult to find one. Sorry this post is a negative tone, but thats how it is here. When I was a trainee, I never made more than 14k in Philadelphia working 60+ hour weeks for a solid 2 years. I urge everyone I know who has expressed interest in this to look for something else. I don't know, maybe appraisal in your area is easier. Around here nothing is the same. Its not like you will gain many years of experience and a decade later be able to command higher fees either. The AMC model is about lowest price. Old heads with mid-life expenses cant compete with 19-year-olds who live at home with no expenses.

After all that if you still want a supervisor - they will most likely want you full time, they will work you to the bone and pay garbage. And you will be fortunate to have that supervisor. Sending emails will most likely be no use. Perhaps you can try the larger or staff appraisal firms in your area. Like someone else said make it clear you can offer value and approach a smaller or 1-person shop. Offer to do anything you can to help. Offer to work for free for the first 6-months then a gradual increase to 30% until you get certified. (I worked for free for 3-months when I started)

Appraisal can be a phone heavy thing. You must must must call agents brokers. Calling agents and brokers no mater much info in in the MLS is one of the most important steps and can really reveal new information. So many simply do not respond to emails and when appraising complex properties waiting for emails to be returned just is not efficient.

1. Gather all appraiser emails and addresses.
2. Make a marketing flyer (am MLS sheet for yourself). Take the guesswork out of it for the potential supervisor as most have not even been a supervisor. Provide your pay schedule on the sheet ( 0% 6 months, 15% months 6-9, 20% months 9-12, 30-35% months 13+) Bullet points of what you can offer: all data entry, full office support, prospecting local lenders, attorneys CPA';s for non-AMC business (be sure to state "non-AMC" - that gets attention)
3. snail mail and email flyer, resume and maybe short bio to all of number 1 above.
4. Attend an appraisal meeting. AI - or ASA or anything appraisal related and network network, network.
5. Call, not email, the appraisers who are in charge of the larger appraisal firms in your area. At a minimum you can ask if they know anyone you can contact.
6. This last one is out of the box, but can impress a potential supervisor. Assuming you have MSL access, Find a home that recently sold in a development with no or little comparable sales. Locate a potential comparable sale in another area that might need a location adjustment or GLA adjustment or whatever. Use MLS data to generate adjustments. Present your work in an excel sheet and write a brief description. While this is not an appraisal, it is you showing you can use data to derive a supported adjustment which would impress the hell out of me if I saw it from a potential trainee.

 

[karenlouise24]

Be sure inform yourself about the realistic income potential of a residential appraiser in your area and the future outlook. Do not make a bad career decision. It can be a long road and for some it may not be worth it in some areas. At least not as a sole source of income. Appraisal is never like the classes. Not even close. Some adjustments can take hours to derive and the AMC dominated arena does not want to pay for that. I do not know much about the commercial side, but residential - no way. That said if you want to go commercial do that from the start. My experience of those around me shows that 9 out of 10 who say they will go commercial after residential never do. Once you have the trainee experience, you will probably not want to go through it again. Long, long hours and no to little pay for 2 years. Supervisor says jump you say how high. That's how it is since is it so difficult to find one. Sorry this post is a negative tone, but thats how it is here. When I was a trainee, I never made more than 14k in Philadelphia working 60+ hour weeks for a solid 2 years. I urge everyone I know who has expressed interest in this to look for something else. I don't know, maybe appraisal in your area is easier. Around here nothing is the same. Its not like you will gain many years of experience and a decade later be able to command higher fees either. The AMC model is about lowest price. Old heads with mid-life expenses cant compete with 19-year-olds who live at home with no expenses.

After all that if you still want a supervisor - they will most likely want you full time, they will work you to the bone and pay garbage. And you will be fortunate to have that supervisor. Sending emails will most likely be no use. Perhaps you can try the larger or staff appraisal firms in your area. Like someone else said make it clear you can offer value and approach a smaller or 1-person shop. Offer to do anything you can to help. Offer to work for free for the first 6-months then a gradual increase to 30% until you get certified. (I worked for free for 3-months when I started)

Appraisal can be a phone heavy thing. You must must must call agents brokers. Calling agents and brokers no mater much info in in the MLS is one of the most important steps and can really reveal new information. So many simply do not respond to emails and when appraising complex properties waiting for emails to be returned just is not efficient.

1. Gather all appraiser emails and addresses.
2. Make a marketing flyer (am MLS sheet for yourself). Take the guesswork out of it for the potential supervisor as most have not even been a supervisor. Provide your pay schedule on the sheet ( 0% 6 months, 15% months 6-9, 20% months 9-12, 30-35% months 13+) Bullet points of what you can offer: all data entry, full office support, prospecting local lenders, attorneys CPA';s for non-AMC business (be sure to state "non-AMC" - that gets attention)
3. snail mail and email flyer, resume and maybe short bio to all of number 1 above.
4. Attend an appraisal meeting. AI - or ASA or anything appraisal related and network network, network.
5. Call, not email, the appraisers who are in charge of the larger appraisal firms in your area. At a minimum you can ask if they know anyone you can contact.
6. This last one is out of the box, but can impress a potential supervisor. Assuming you have MSL access, Find a home that recently sold in a development with no or little comparable sales. Locate a potential comparable sale in another area that might need a location adjustment or GLA adjustment or whatever. Use MLS data to generate adjustments. Present your work in an excel sheet and write a brief description. While this is not an appraisal, it is you showing you can use data to derive a supported adjustment which would impress the hell out of me if I saw it from a potential trainee.

Thank you! This is incredibly helpful. The one benefit I have going for me is having a financial situation that allows for flexibility in my timeline as well as working for no pay for a bit until someone feels I'm an asset. I know it will be an overwhelming undertaking as that's the reason I've waited 14 years to delve into it. But I'll continue the networking to see where I can get within a fairly close geographical region.