What are the best colleges to recruit appraisers from?

[Otis Key]

At this point I know of only very few colleges that churn out smart graduates ready to hit the ground running in commercial appraisal. From what I have found, most grads, even if they have a "real estate" major, have had only the most basic appraisal exposure with their classes focusing more on real estate investments etc.

So here is the question: What are the best schools to recruit appraisers from? Please only list a school if you know that they offer at least one (ideally two) courses focused on real estate appraisal.

Thanks!

Who are they - I've been appraising residential for almost 30 years with dabblings in commercial back when I had the ring through the nose and never knew of any schools (aka educational facility) that could crank out someone hitting the road with the degree. Inquiring mind (Maybe just me) want to know.

 

[josephdifranco]

Otis and OP,

I would say it all depends on your definition of hit the ground running. That term sounds like someone who would need minimal training, maybe in terms of one grad versus another, but no matter what the university, plenty of training will be required. You know that, don't you?

 

[Elliott]

University of Chicago, Wharton Business School, MIT are the first 3
that come to mind, but why would a smart person want to go into
appraising?

 

[Deuce of Spades]

University of Central Florida has a Real Estate degree which has valuation courses taught by several MAIs and has a great reputation, at least that is what I hear...but I doubt anyone fresh out of college can 'hit the ground running'.

http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/degree_programs/real_estate.pdf

 

[Vernon Martin]

I doubt anyone fresh out of college can 'hit the ground running'.

http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/degree_programs/real_estate.pdf

That was certainly my experience coming out of an MS in Real Estate program at SMU. I knew the mechanics of DCF modeling and writing reports, but had none of the judgment that one can only get through years of field experience, things like "what are reasonable operating expenses for a Houston office building?"

 

[PropertyEconomics]

I would say the School of Hard Knocks and Experience are the best schools for learning. Nothing can replace experience because that is where you learn judgement. Theories are nice, and can lead you in the right direction, but learning judgement of how to apply theories in a practical world is the only thing that truly prepares one to be a good appraiser.

 

[Stone]

I would say the School of Hard Knocks and Experience are the best schools for learning. Nothing can replace experience because that is where you learn judgement. Theories are nice, and can lead you in the right direction, but learning judgement of how to apply theories in a practical world is the only thing that truly prepares one to be a good appraiser.

Why does this always get brought up as if it is an either/or concept? People can go to school and then learn the ropes (or attend the "school of hard knocks"). People imply that one can do either A or B, but not both.

Very few professions don't require on the job training after college. Does a lawyer coming out of school have the same abilities as another lawyer with years of practical experience? Of course not. But, that doesn't mean the years in school weren't worth something. I'm not sure why some appaisers think our field is so different.

To the question - as someone noted earlier, the University of Wisconsin has a good program. Had I known I was going to end up in this field, I would have gone that direction when in school there.

 

[rbrienza]

I think that everyone has some great ideas. While education is important, I also feel that a construction background is important. How can you appraise something if you have no idea how something is built. (cost approach.) Also, what is important is how to research something -- thinking outside the box. What is amazing to me is that the number of nurses that are in this field. With the number of nurse shortages in this country and them making upwards of $50K to $75K.

 

[TC]

Also, what is important is how to research something -- thinking outside the box. What is amazing to me is that the number of nurses that are in this field. With the number of nurse shortages in this country and them making upwards of $50K to $75K.

Ask those nurses how many hours they had to work to get that much money. And the ones that really care have left.

TC

 

[TC]

Shouldn't we list the best Junior Colleges for residential since only a 2 year degree is required?

My first boss was a Penn State RE graduate. He went right into commercial work and to him the AI classes were a breeze. I don't think it matters what college, only how much you put into the degree. (Damn, I sound like an old ****)