Welp...Have Decided To End It

[Andy Taylor]

After having been a certified General appraiser for nearly 35 years, and in appraising for nearly 40, I have decided to let my certification lapse.

I have not performed any appraisal services in several years and guess I have kept the certification due to the work I put in to obtain it and as a fall back position. I have been primarily active in brokerage during this time. I have not had the appraisal software in a while either.

I came about this decision when looking at the cost of the 7 hr. USPAP course ($249) and the annual cert renewal ($200) and figuring between that and next years cost to get the additional 21 hrs. ($450) and renewal ($200) I would be in for about $1,100.

Reading NC certification law it looks like I would have a year if I decided(not likely) to "catch up" on CE & fees and reactivate it.

Guess I should have done it several years ago.

 

[alebrewer]

Congrats to you! All the best in your brokerage activities.

 

[Tom D]

It's good part time work. Better than being home all day bored. People are living longer, and usually run out of money later in old age. Pay attention to your future expenses and what you have saved.
I like getting out of the house and being paid.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

It's good part time work.

fixed it.

 

[chad hampton]

Sorry the profession has devolved to the point where you can’t finish in this career at least part-time or on your own terms.

 

[ucbruin]

The OP worked 40 years as an appraiser....
And has ended his career on his own terms....
Or did I miss something....

 

[Tom D]

Wha? I do mostly big city little row homes, and get payed the same as u urbaners get, with less driving and plenty of close comps. All direct lenders.

I always have said that i have a priveledged appraisal life.

Sorry, but such is life, you peasant appraisers.

 

[Surf Cat]

I have kept the certification due to the work I put in to obtain it

This is the key phrase to the entire OP's message....

Many appraisers including myself are trapped by the "sunk cost fallacy" where the substantial commitment to certification makes leaving seem like a waste. Despite declining pay from AMCs/Lenders that devalue our work, increasing regulatory pressure, and the rise of automated valuation models (AVMs) and AI coming on strong.

Instead of deciding to end it as the thread title depicts, it should be a celebration of being free from it. Congratulations, it was once a good paying gig with a lot of autonomy. Must be a great relief to have the "should I keep my license" weight off your shoulders...

 

[J Grant]

The OP shows a cert gen license which affords more options for work than a cert res license - good luck in retirement!

 

[chad hampton]

The OP worked 40 years as an appraiser....
And has ended his career on his own terms....
Or did I miss something....

I took it as meaning he doesn’t want to pay the fees to be in this profession anymore. Not that he was financially set in life. And it’s my impression he’s going to keep working as a broker. Probably would’ve been nice to have some appraisal income and brokerage income if you’re still working.

Like many of the good appraisers that I’ve known, they have left in the last decade. Tired of dealing with the imbeciles.

There’s no pension in this profession, I don’t know any appraisers who retired from working altogether and go move to the beach and golf or fish every day. Maybe one too have higher earning spouses or spouses in government jobs that get a pension.

That’s why I always get a kick when somebody tells an appraiser to enjoy their retirement. I never knew such a thing existed for appraiser. I was looking forward to being in this profession well into my 70s, working as much as little as I wanted. Then one day I would die and not show up for an appointment.