What are some appraisal certifications and how to earn them

[Louis Hemmi]

I took an online "Green Home Appraisal" from Appraisal Institute a few years back. Do theirs if you want it to count towards the SRA. You might want to check out ASA, they have good classes.

 

[Louis Hemmi]

Thanks - I appreciate it!

 

[Tom4value]

I'm just curious as to how to get certified in various areas of practice, such as "Green Home Appraiser" and many more. When I see some AMC's asking me to check the boxes for additional certifications, I realize that I could use some additional certifications if not too time-consuming.

I see MAI takes 4500 hours of SPECIALIZED work, must be a member of the Appraisal Institute.

There are a lot more, just listing acronyms that I do not recognize.

Sorry that question is so general, but I don't know enough to identify what certifications exist.

You got some good advice here that will set you on your way but something in your post jumped out at me. Getting certifications for AMCs is like going to culinary school to be a cook at McDonalds. i started appraising before licensing and the only way to market yourself was with designations and certifications from The Appraisal Institute. Nowadays, to get on an AMC panel you need a license and a heartbeat.

You sound like someone who wants to specialize and stand out from your peers. Take advantage of that and go after direct lenders and other clients who will want and appreciate your expertise. Best of luck!

 

[Louis Hemmi]

You got some good advice here that will set you on your way but something in your post jumped out at me. Getting certifications for AMCs is like going to culinary school to be a cook at McDonalds. i started appraising before licensing and the only way to market yourself was with designations and certifications from The Appraisal Institute. Nowadays, to get on an AMC panel you need a license and a heartbeat.

You sound like someone who wants to specialize and stand out from your peers. Take advantage of that and go after direct lenders and other clients who will want and appreciate your expertise. Best of luck!

Thanks very much --- I have spent most of my life in IT but as I got older, there were fewer opportunities so I haven't really focused on the Appraisal business until fairly recently (had my license for ten years before doing a single appraisal. The appraisal business for me was something to fall back on, but now it's falling away.

 

[Tiffany Gibbons]

Thanks very much --- I have spent most of my life in IT but as I got older, there were fewer opportunities so I haven't really focused on the Appraisal business until fairly recently (had my license for ten years before doing a single appraisal. The appraisal business for me was something to fall back on, but now it's falling away.

How is having your appraisal license for 10 years without doing a single appraisal possible? Just curious.

 

[Louis Hemmi]

How is having your appraisal license for 10 years without doing a single appraisal possible? Just curious.

I was a Senior Data Analyst for BP's Global Learning Management System when I got my license, so did not need to do appraisals (my mentor / sponsor was my late partner's cousin who convinced me to get into the profession in the event of a downturn in the oil business). So, I got the license, and kept up with my CE requirements, renewal fees, etc. After about 9 years the GLMS organization was moved to the UK to reduce headcount in Houston. I hung on for another year because I was the only resource who knew my customization of reports drawing from SQL and and a combination of Excel and Access databases. I trained my replacement and got a generous severance package. Then I worked with my new mentor and when he fell ill I launched myself into working with his clients, so no need to market. It cost a lot to keep up with the expenses, but turned out that it was well worth it as a fallback.