Hello all,

I just registered in here, so I hope i'm in the right section. :)

I have some questions regarding starting my career in Residential Appraising.

I'm planning to get a bachelors degree in Business/Real Estate, then I plan to attend an appraisal licensing school. Is this a good way to start, or is the bachelor's degree not really necessary for my appraisal license?

I want to make sure I'm doing the correct steps in obtaining an appraisal license. The only previous experience thats related to appraising is working in a Title company. Besides that most of my work experience is administrative, and now online marketing.

In order to get a license, i understand that i have to do something like 2000 field hours of experience in the field. Does this mean that I work under an appraiser?

I live in Southern California, Orange county area. Any suggestions on good appraisal schools out here that is classroom oriented?

Roughly what is the cost range of getting my appraisal license?

I'm just throwing questions out here, as i think of them. So, any other advice about starting out would be VERY appreciated. I'm really excited to get my career going! :) I'm glad I found this place. I've already read some helpful info.

Thanks so much!!!

A bachelor degree OR an associate degree will be suffice. You will need to find a certified Appraiser to work under in order to recieve any type of License, as for as I know. If not, you may live in a state that is behind most. You will need to check with your Appraisal state board to find out how many hours/credits you will need to attain in order to become certified. Every state has their own rules, but every state does have mandotory requirements that are the same for all. I would suggest a school that is accepted by your state board and has a high rating for success and competence. Ethical and Competence comes first! For the License itself.., and nothing else.., I paid about $250 +/- for my Trainee License (not counting E + O insurance). There are a lot of costs involved during the entire process. Be prepared to go out of pocket.

I want to be truthful with you. I don't want to tell you it's ice cream and cake because it's not. Unfortunately, becoming an Appraiser is not what most think it might be. It's very difficult and requires many things. Make sure you work with someone who is an Appraiser and not a false prophet.

Many people want to become an Appraiser because they think it's a quick, easy buck. This is simply not true.

To get started, in reality, not by laws or state requirements, I would suggest that you become a student of Land Property Economics and Economics in general; because this is what Appraising is. It's economics set in a complex art form. Many Appraisers will disagree with me, but the important thing is this: Don't be fooled by a person who will say, "Appraising is a complex math problem."

Appraisal is a complex economic problem.

Sincerely and the best of Luck :)
Benji

Always check with the OREA on what the new qualifications are. I don't think you need a degree to become an AL but I do believe it is required to be an AR-AG. The biggest thing to know is that most of your school will be geared towards getting your required education in and passing your state test. What they fail to tell you is that it has little to do with doing the job and getting a Supervisor.

What I would suggest is getting the free report I put together on my website area48network. com. and structure your future business with the 5 Keys. What most trainees do is go the school route...take classes, take state test, pay for all that then get their license and then end up frustrated because Supervisors don't like to take trainees on who don't have experience. You can remedy this by getting realistic training and school training so that you are fully prepared but also...so that you can get clients while you're a trainee.

Too many trainees fall into the trap of relying on a Supervisor to give them work and when the market slows...they are left high and dry. But...if you gain your technical knowledge (you know how to do sfrs, condos, 2-4 units, 442s, inspections, etc.)...before you get a Supervisor then you become an asset to their company and have a much easier time accruing your hours.

Good Luck

Ed
AREA48 Network

:Cry: That one did not work!

Many people want to become an Appraiser because they think it's a quick, easy buck. This is simply not true.

Laughing at you Mr. Graner.

I didn't know you were over here. I haven't came here in a long time, but I got bored tonight and saw this thread; and started laughing.

Sincerely,
Benji

Matter of fact I been sitting here drinking on a michelob light :)

I'm getting some late night reading in...

I want to add that it's good for a Trainee or want to be Trainee to learn all they can about the profession. When I started I found a similar forum like this, but I took my time and looked at the profession, as a whole. I educated myself about the world I was considering to get in. I basically took my time (years).

The best mentor a trainee can find is one that they can interact with on a daily basis and one that is geographically competent. I have a strong relationship with my mentor. I'm proud to be her trainee. I'm proud of her board position in which she has been active on for years. It's important to have a strong relationship with whom the mentor may be. One on one is important, as well. My mentor knew I needed attention. Put it this way, if I need a hug, I know I will get amy hug.

All schools are the same in many ways. My school taught me a lot of stuff, like reading MLS sheets, etc...and we took our time. Schools will sell a bird a worm everyday, as long as more birds come back for some feed. It's really a money thing, instead of, "hey we truly care about you"!

Take a few years and learn the profession, go to school, but try to have a mentor lined up before hand, and get one on one mentorship in a location in which both of you will be competent in.

It took me 5 years to find a good mentor. I wouldn't take it back for anything in the world. The relationship is more important than just having a mentor that shows you things. Without the proper relationship, it's difficult for one to obtain a trend in quality learning.

I took a few years to learn more about what's going on in the profession first. I studied constantly, I ask questions, I did a lot of thinking...
By then, I knew what was out there and what to watch out for.
It definitely assisted me in finding the mentor I have today and it helped tremendously with my progress, but I understood that without the proper relationship that I already discussed, it's difficult to obtain quality learning and thus be the best Appraiser you can be.

If I was just starting out, I would definitely take my time, because there are changes going on in the profession. When I was in my younger twenties, I was ready, willing and able, but I knew I needed to listen to logic and other Apraisers whom were respected for all the good reasons. I started in 2000 and it's 2008; I'm more than over joyed that I listened to the top Appraisers in the country. I got guidance from them, even if they didn't like me. They taught me a lot and I followed the right path. Now I have, in my eyes, the greatest mentor alive and it's because of a strong relationship with whom I can go to for a hug, counseling, etc..and she is geographically competent the area I plan on working in. And she has also taught me how to become geographically competent in other areas. Nothing beats one on one, special, competent, relationships that can be ethically built upon. If it takes 5 years to find a mentor, then that's what is meant to be, in my eyes. Some things can't be forced, sometimes life takes time to develop into what it was meant to be.

That's my opinion :)

Sincerely,
Benji