• Welcome to AppraisersForum.com, the premier online community for the discussion of real estate appraisal. Register a free account to be able to post and unlock additional forums and features.

West Coast Appraisal Fees

All appraisal fees are local. Supply and demand. The appraiser who quotes the lowest fee usually gets the assignment. Its always been that way. Since demand for SFRs are down 80%, it is unlikely fees will remain high and 'moving' into an area of where there were high fees is not going to result in high annual income moving 'there' anymore than being in an established market where you are 'from.'

https://www.benefits.VA.gov/homeloans/documents/docs/denver_fee.pdf

VA has a list of counties where there are a shortage of appraisers, but none of those counties are in WA or OR.

"High Demand Counties
Several counties across the nation have be identified as High Demand Counties, counties in which the increased demand for appraisal services has created shortage of available appraisers. While VA considers this to be a temporary market fluctuation, appraisal fees have been increased in these counties to reflect the increased demand in this seller’s market.

*The fees and timeliness increases will be reevaluated in the future and may need to be readjusted.
Counties Where Appraisers are Needed

VA encourages appraisers based in or serving these counties to submit an application for VA fee appraiser panel."

https://www.benefits.VA.gov/HOMELOANS/documents/docs/counties-where-appraisers-are-needed.xlsx
 

Attachments

Elliott said:
All appraisal fees are local. Supply and demand. The appraiser who quotes the lowest fee usually gets the assignment. Its always been that way. Since demand for SFRs are down 80%, it is unlikely fees will remain high and 'moving' into an area of where there were high fees is not going to result in high annual income moving 'there' anymore than being in an established market where you are 'from.'


VA has a list of counties where there are a shortage of appraisers, but none of those counties are in WA or OR.

"High Demand Counties
Several counties across the nation have be identified as High Demand Counties, counties in which the increased demand for appraisal services has created shortage of available appraisers. While VA considers this to be a temporary market fluctuation, appraisal fees have been increased in these counties to reflect the increased demand in this seller’s market.

*The fees and timeliness increases will be reevaluated in the future and may need to be readjusted.
Counties Where Appraisers are Needed

VA encourages appraisers based in or serving these counties to submit an application for VA fee appraiser panel."

Click to expand...
correction, the lowest fee quote applies for AMC work due to their market power to affect supply/.demand

Witj the same supply of appraisers in a given area , lenders who order without an AMC do not fee quote to find the lowest for regular orders, they pay C and R, usually the same to all on their panel in an area for non complex work.

For res license appraisers the unfortunate reality is that AMC's send a significant volume of the lender work and though some direct order sources have volume, it is tough to get on their lists.te os tr
 
sputnam said:
Check the VA fee schedule for the county or counties you will be working.
Click to expand...
I followed your advice and saw that it was about $850 for the SFRs, and even more for MFRs. Reading through some of the rest of these comments though, it definitely seems like I won't be able to get those kinda fees. I'll have to see though. I appreciate it!
 
Vermonter said:
Each area will be different depending on the amount of appraisers.

There's a $100-$200 appraisal fee difference between neighboring towns around here because no one wants to cover the more rural ones. As a noob to the area, you will have to take what you can get so prepare for everything.

My initial clients steered me to rural work, which I enjoy, but not everyone does.

Try to pin down an area and research from there
Click to expand...
Absolutely. I appreciate the advice! I remember when I was first starting out in Ohio, I basically took whatever job was sent my way, and for whatever fee was proposed. I would be interested to try out some rural assignments.
 
I have a couple friends who do VA and they say the volumes have dropped way down.
 
ZZGAMAZZ said:
Your numbers are extremely optomistic. I had to lower my fees about one year ago, to below $300 for a straightforward 1004, to obtain a single assignment from any AMC here in Riverside, CA, about 50 miles east of LA but in a densely populated area. They've creeped up to the mid- to high-$300's alhough volume is unpredictable but usually from 2 to 4 assignments a week. I receive decent retirement income from various sources so I'm not buggin' or else the fees would barely covered auto expenses. OTOH my former mentor whose book is almost exclusively marital dissolution charges $600/assignment with 100+++ jobs per year. Lots of competition in these parts.
Click to expand...
I figured. A lot of it has to do with your connections where you are, your network and any referrals you may get. Even here, in Cleveland, same deal. I guess I'll have to see as I go.
It's funny you mentioned Riverside though, because that's usually where we go as well.
 
Terrel L. Shields said:
You may find that with a Washington address, you will not be able to get a reciprocal license, rather you will have to duly license there and then reciprocate to CA. I know some states do not allow out of state folks who move to the state to get reciprocal licenses. Unless you are going to maintain a half time home in Ohio, I bet a reciprocal license won't work. Check with the board and find out.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the insight! Had no idea actually.
 
ZZGAMAZZ said:
Thinking last year about moving back home to WV from Cali. Shocked to realize that only 3 appraisers were licensed in relatively populus Hancock County where I was raised--probably more appraisers than that on the same block here in SoCal...
Click to expand...
Wow. Yeah, it makes sense for SoCal. I'm hearing overall there's a shortage of appraisers. Last year, apparently, around 10,000 left the field nationally. I'm sure your coverage and network play a huge factor in where you are.
 
Washington and Oregon have always had better fees. California has always been grossly oversupplied with appraisers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Find a Real Estate Appraiser - Enter Zip Code

Copyright © 2000-, AppraisersForum.com, All Rights Reserved
AppraisersForum.com is proudly hosted by the folks at AppraiserSites.com
Back
Top