VA appraiser application

[bertiemay]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me where to go for an application to become a VA appraiser?

Thank You

 

[OminousRun]

First off, if you are a Trainee they won't allow you.

Second, you need to be a certified for at least 5 years.

Third, you need 5 letters of recommendation.

Fourth, if the VA finally gets around to reviewing your application you then get placed on a wait list.

In order to get on the actual VA list a spot above you has to come open, by another appraiser giving up their VA approval.

In most cases it takes around 20 years to get approved, because none of the VA appraisers give up their spot. Even if they do retire or die there are hundreds of appraisers ahead of you on the wait list.

Good luck!

 

[bertiemay]

Thank you for your response. I am aware of everything you have mentioned. The application is for my supervisor who meets all the requirements. I was needing to know where to locate the application. I did end up finding it shortly after I posted my question yesterday.

Thank you

 

[David Beasley]

Go here:

http://www.homeloans.VA.gov/feepanel.htm

Click on your (supervisor's) home state, the website will take it from there.

 

[David Beasley]

First off, if you are a Trainee they won't allow you.

Second, you need to be a certified for at least 5 years.

True.

Third, you need 5 letters of recommendation.

Actually, it's 3 letters. I'm sure they'll take more however. I'd also recommend getting at least one of these letters from a current VA fee panel appraiser in your area.

Fourth, if the VA finally gets around to reviewing your application you then get placed on a wait list.

True.

In order to get on the actual VA list a spot above you has to come open, by another appraiser giving up their VA approval.

Basically true. However, appraisers die, retire and are 'removed' by the VA from the fee panel on occasion as well. The goal of the VA RLCs is to keep the turn-times to a reasonable time, and will make their panels larger if volume picks up and stays up for any time - so there are times when folks are simply added to the list without a death, retirement or disciplinary removal occurring first.

In most cases it takes around 20 years to get approved, because none of the VA appraisers give up their spot. Even if they do retire or die there are hundreds of appraisers ahead of you on the wait list.

The amount of time it takes is fluid, can change daily, and will vary greatly from region to region depending on the amount of VA loan activity in that area. It may very well take numerous years to "get on" the list, but I am a VA appraiser and know about 50-60 more of them and none of us/them actually waited for 20 years. The longest wait I personally have heard of in my area - and granted, VA loans are the predominent loans used in my area due to its proximity to Ft. Bragg - was 7 years. In areas with younger fee panel members and little VA activity, the wait could be longer.

 

[Ken B]

Thank you for your response. I am aware of everything you have mentioned. The application is for my supervisor who meets all the requirements. I was needing to know where to locate the application. I did end up finding it shortly after I posted my question yesterday.

Thank you

Well done.

 

[OminousRun]

True.






The amount of time it takes is fluid, can change daily, and will vary greatly from region to region depending on the amount of VA loan activity in that area. It may very well take numerous years to "get on" the list, but I am a VA appraiser and know about 50-60 more of them and none of us/them actually waited for 20 years. The longest wait I personally have heard of in my area - and granted, VA loans are the predominent loans used in my area due to its proximity to Ft. Bragg - was 7 years. In areas with younger fee panel members and little VA activity, the wait could be longer.

The 20 year number was basically hyperbole.

However, in Florida, where the OP and I are from it takes quite a while to get on the VA list. I looked into it about 5 years ago and realized it wasn't worth my time because I think there were several hundred on the VA "wait list" already.

VA was such a small portion of the market back then (as probably still is now) that it really wasn't worth it to me.

 

[bertiemay]

Thanks everyone!

 

[David Beasley]

The 20 year number was basically hyperbole.

However, in Florida, where the OP and I are from it takes quite a while to get on the VA list. I looked into it about 5 years ago and realized it wasn't worth my time because I think there were several hundred on the VA "wait list" already.

VA was such a small portion of the market back then (as probably still is now) that it really wasn't worth it to me.

Well, just as an FYI, I can tell you that the hundreds in front of you on the list are not promised a spot on the list if and when it ever becomes "their turn" to be considered. Approvals are made, and appraisers are added, only when they need appraisers. Just because they took your app and put on on the wait list, does not guarantee you a spot on the panel even if you're #1 on the waiting list when they get ready to "open the books". I figured this out the first time my RLC called me with a list of possible apointees (they poll random panel members on possible appointees, generally). Some had applied 5 years earlier, some had applied much more recently. Apparently, they had culled their massive list to 5 possibles to ask us about at that time. Moral: the wait list's length is generally not directly proportional to the actual wait. The wait list surely always contains a number of people who: have retired since applying, died since applying, been stripped of their license since applying, etc.

Apply or don't, it's up to you. Just wanted to put it out there that the list is not necessarily processed in ascending order from the oldest application.

To the OP: Sorry about the redundant link to the VA application page earlier in the thread. I didn't see your post about already finding it before I posted the reply. Good luck to your supervisor. Do tell your supervisor to make sure to impart that he/she is a veteran if that is the case. Vets are supposed to get an extra/favored look from the VA when they apply for positions within the Department - not that all of us "VA appraisers" are veterans.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Are you sure about having to have been certified for 5 years? I know of at least two who were appointed to the panel here with only 5 years experience total.

Want to speed up the process? Get a letter of recommendation from your congressman or senator. Play the race card, be part american indian, be a veteran, be a woman.

Most of those on the panel here waited less than 10 years...in my case it was 7 but I did have some preference points as a veteran.