What States have the most work for Appraisers

[John Peculis]

Why is everyone acting like there is some magical state-issued salary for appraisers? It's almost as if you have no control over how much you make! Last time I checked, the appraiser that worked harder, marketed smarter, and networked tirelessly got more business, therefore made a higher salary. Yes, this is assuming that you own your own shop, but most of you do.

I would take a $30,000 "salary" as a business owner than a $100,000 salary as an employee (i.e. pharmacist) any day. Why? Because I have the power to change that figure ($30K) depending on how I run my business. For those of you who don't agree, you may want to look into another industry. Why do you think some people are willing to "pay appraisers to train them"? Because the general public is finally catching on to the reasons why most of you started appraising yourselves! We are in a great industry, and are in full control (sans market swings) of our destinies! Be grateful! If you're not happy, change!!

 

[The Warrior Monk]

I agree with John's post. I started off in the appraisal field as an employee with bene's, and was a 9to5'er before that, also with bene's. I gladly gave it up. If I need more money, I go out and work harder. I'm glad to be in the position that I'm at.

It is a little more nerve-wracking in that my compensation is not guaranteed. But higher salaried workers are often the first to go in private industry anyway, so in reality nothing is guaranteed.

 

[Stone]

Greg - no sweat. I just figured I was unclear.

John - Either one of us skimmed this too much, or we read different threads. I haven't noticed more than a couple people who are complaining about their income. The question regarded which states (and appraisers are licensed by states) have enough work to sustain decent incomes with all the new appraisers over the last several years. The discussion of local pay and work conditions directly related to the question asked by the original poster.

This wasn't a thread lamenting low salaries (for the most part).

FTR - I'm quite happy with my pay (though if I can find a way to increase it without finishing more units, what the heck).:dry:

 

[Farm Gal]

I can answer in the reverse: I can make direct observation of a fly-over midwestern state, and would make a blanket observation of other similar states based on personal interviews and discussion with peers:

Avoid any state with large rural areas with overall declining or 'stable' poulation(s).

Those areas tend to have ingathering into the more urban areas, with minimal new construction (as opposed to areas with significantly increasing urban populations)... and the number of appraisers who are willing to travel further to d work at decreased fees is on the rise. It's called temporary survival or bleeding to death by inches.

 

[Mr Rex]

Lee Ann, as always, I play the devils advocate. Fly over NC and you go from Cary, one of the "Best Places to Live" according to the latest and greatest. 40 or So miles away, 3 of the poorest 15 counties in the state. That's within 45 minutes driving time (best case) to 15-20 minutes in a Cessna. Fly over and blink, its a whole parallel universe. My world.

 

[Arrian Binnings]

Delaware is approximately 99 miles long, and between 9 and 37 miles wide at the widest point. Population is approximately 783,600 and we have only 3 counties.

Wow, that is quaint. By comparison, Atlanta's metro now includes 28 counties and is about 80 miles by 80 miles, square. We are now about 5.2 mil in population... with 4.2 million outside the perimeter (the "beltway" for some of you folks) and 1 million inside the perimeter. It is documented that 500 people move here every day. Amazing.

Despite the population influx, we are creating a doughnut of a city! Most people are drawn to the cheap, large houses in the burbs w/ the good schools, leaving the inner city neglected and undervalued. However, with commute times reaching the 2-hour mark and traffic effecting the average person's daily allocation of TIME, people are pouring back into the city... in DROVES. The inner city, Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and anywhere else inside the perimeter, are seeing major shifts because of this trend. Very interesting to us here... and especially to the investors.

See http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=68267 to see amazing developments both planned and approved in the Atlanta area.

One thing I learned appraising is that Atlanta is huge, absolutley huge. I honestly didn't know how big it was until I started appraising. It ain't no L.A., though. L.A. is a monster.

 

[Arrian Binnings]

Fly over NC and you go from Cary, one of the "Best Places to Live"

Hey, Radford, I went to Elon. Know anyone 'round those parts??

 

[Farm Gal]

Mike:

I wasn't making a qualitative statement about regional population wealth or quiet enjoyment of living...

My statement referred to the income potential of the appraisers working in such areas.

The appraisal mills which churn out newbies, in areas where there are population centers exist within drive distance of the aforementioned "decreasing population counties", are not exactly leveling with the students about the potential BUSINESS income they will be able to earn.

And with 1-5 letters a month with "please hire me-I did my classes" inquiries, I have to say that in THIS area the supply exceeds demand!

 

[The Warrior Monk]

And with 1-5 letters a month with "please hire me-I did my classes" inquiries, I have to say that in THIS area the supply exceeds demand!

Even I received one within the past month; my first ever.

 

[Eminent Domain]

Mr. Radford,

We resemble one of those 15 poorest counties in the state. I think my little county (pop. about 8,500) is in the bottom three or five. But as long as we can grow corn, have some sugar and can start a fire we can survive. With that mixture we just numb out everything.

BF