I am quite interested in getting into this business, but I have no real idea what the daily schedule of a real estate appraiser is.

Can anyone care to explain? :)

Im not in the business yet!
So cant completely help there, but I imagine it would involve alot of paperwork but also going out to properties as well - so a nice variation of roles :)

I am quite interested in getting into this business, but I have no real idea what the daily schedule of a real estate appraiser is.

Can anyone care to explain? :)


Mega man,

From my experience, it is basically a 24/7 career. This includes ongoing studies and consultation. As of right now, I take naps, instead of full nights of sleep. I get a god nights rest when my body shuts down. However, I love what I do and it is up to me whether I make it or break it.

One example: Last week, I was up till 3:00am; slept till 10:am; worked/read a bit; got a call for inspection, inspection was canceled; started work again; took an hour nap; got a call for the same inspection, on demand; took a shower and rushed over to the subject for inspection...

Maybe someone else can contribute to what a schedule may be for an Appraiser. I hope I helped with answering your question :) If not, please, if can, re-explain your question?

Good luck with your decision, Mega man.

Sincerely,
Benji

I have been appraising for over five years. I have seen lots of appraisers come and go. I attend my CE classes and often get to talk to people who are taking the courses in hopes to become a trainee with a certified appraiser. In a way i feel bad for them because i know where the business is gonig and it is not up. Everyone i know that has an appraisal company is extremely slow right now and it is not going to get better any time soon. I would suggest getting into home inspection or something along those lines until the market improves. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. If you want to be an appraiser, be prepared to stick it out. Most of the trainees I have talked to are basically the workhorse of the person training them. That is not how it is supposed to be. If you find a good appraiser to train you you won't be working 24/7 and rushing to appraise properties with only minutes notice and taveling all over the state for poor compensation. I worked under someone for two years, got all of my time in, and classes and got my license. I made pretty good money doing it too and worked normal hours and even played golf furing the day every once in a while. In my opinion that is how it should be. Hope it works out for you.

[QUOTE=EvanM;397]If you want to be an appraiser, be prepared to stick it out. Most of the trainees I have talked to are basically the workhorse of the person training them. That is not how it is supposed to be. If you find a good appraiser to train you you won't be working 24/7 and rushing to appraise properties with only minutes notice and taveling all over the state for poor compensation.QUOTE]

Hi Mega Man,

I completely agree with being able to stick it out because then, (hopefully) most Trainees will know ecactly what they want from the process in becoming an Appraiser; knowing, then, it will be in your mind and heart, knowing that "it is truly' what you want or don't want in your life.., regards, finding out what you will be doing as a Trainee.

Being a (good) work horse is only efficient when knowledge and some experience has become proficient. But, I would also add, in the residential lending market, being a work horse may or not be a good thing. Learning and gaining knowledge is the most most important issue in my eye, while wanting to become a Trainee or even being a Trainee.

I think, doing more than at ones given ability, at a given time, without gaining knowledge or real experience is a "bad work horse." ...In any given type of Appraisal, for any intended use/user, and standard of value to be defined within an anylsis. And it is definitely not how it is supposed to be.

Finding a Good Appraiser to work under, I have gained hours of experience; slowly, but I was a work horse when it came to studying and progessing/gaining, the necessities to become an Appraiser in the future and, what a Trainee will do, when Licensed as one. I am fortunate, now, to have two good (General Certified) Supervisor Appraisers that are competent, ethical, intelligent, diligent, etc.., but some Newbies/Trainees will not be as fortunate (but I hope so) and, unfortunately, some really good ones who care, will not have the same opportunity (but I hope so).

My life is a rush; and being an Appraiser Trainee is a rush, for me, between taking care of personal life, taking care of myself, reading/studying, planning my future to better myself, gaining knowledge at all times, listening, looking at what is around me (behavior), following the market in able to interpret the market, reading, writing, and whole bunch of good stuff. The study of Land Property Economics, is to me, 24/7, if I am to make a career and life from it; done right, ethical, competent, and relying on as much scope of work necessary an excellent disclosure and analysis of any/and all, that is as credible as I can possibly report, efficently and proficiently. In my eyes, it's a 24/7 thought process of a study, business, being an Appraiser (lifestyle) and, of any case/assignment available at the time.

Residential assignments are most of my experience when it comes to handling myself completely. I have assisted in Real Property Valuation in Litigation more than I have commercial assignments. Although, I have assisted in a few commercial cases/Appraisals, I need to gain more exerience; and preperation may contribute to a 24/7 study, attached to other reasons I have mentioned through my post. Right now, I am learning Litigation valuations and it is a slow process (must be done right or not done at all, in my eyes; I am a work horse) on job training. I have a commercial assignment soon, plus, assisting in a state right a way assignment and, working on finding residential assignments that I am geographically competent in. I am on an approved list of Appraisers with a bank right now, but work will come soon for me in that area soon, and I have to prepared for that also. I am working on time management, deciding how to juggle my experience process in order to gain knowledge and do things right, for certification.

As for as putting out a certain number of Appraisals in a week or month, I have no quota, but I do have goals in learning and gaining a better perception or credibility of myself when reporting my analysis of an opinion of value on a piece of property.

Between all these activities I am involved in, when I get a call or formal request for an inspection, I am going to quit what I am doing, get prepared quickly, and go inspect. Whether it is a Residential, a commercial, a taking, and for any purpose, but not for any intended user.

I believe being an Appraiser is a 24/7 lifestyle and study, if one wants to progress. I do get time on my hands, but I use that time to contribute to my lifestyle and who I am (full time). A workfile also is part of a 24/7 deal, in my eyes. Updating specific business tools, data, and related aspects of business contribute to a 24/7 lifestyle or study.

Either way, (bad) work horse OR (good work horse) there may and can be different meanings, depending how one recieves the notion. To make it in life, in the beginning, I believe, being a (good) work horse (dedicated and wanting it, sincerely) may have a positive affect in making it in life and in this profession.

Poor compensation sucks! - but I guess that depends on how good an Appraiser or someone is. Plus, knowing that people have different situations, living in different locations (markets), and having different skills, may reflect an opinion about compensation.

I can't speak for Appraisers with more experience NOR anyone for that matter, but I am entitled to my opinion :)

Sincerely,
Benji