Category Archives: Appraisal

Top 10 Career Paths in Real Estate

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If you are considering a new career, the real estate industry is a great place to look. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 2.3 million people employed in real estate and rental and leasing in the United States as of May 2020. While the traditional real estate agent is the first thing that comes to mind for most people, there are a lot of other positions in the real estate industry that may be a better fit for you.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 careers in the real estate industry that you may want to consider. For many of these positions, no prior experience or a college degree is required. You just need to get a real estate license, which usually takes about 3 to 6 months of coursework and exams to obtain.

Residential Real Estate Agent

A residential real estate agent is a professional who helps individuals buy, sell, and rent properties for residential purposes. These agents work with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and then use their knowledge of the local real estate market to help clients find suitable properties. They also assist with the negotiation and closing process, and may provide guidance on issues such as financing, insurance, and property maintenance.

In addition, residential real estate agents may help clients stage and prepare their homes for sale, and may provide marketing and advertising support to help sell properties quickly and at a good price. Overall, the main goal of a residential real estate agent is to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties that meet their needs and goals.

Commercial Real Estate Agent

A commercial real estate agent is a professional who helps individuals and businesses buy, sell, and rent properties for commercial purposes. These properties may include office buildings, retail spaces, industrial warehouses, and other types of commercial real estate.

Commercial real estate agents work with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and then use their knowledge of the local real estate market to help clients find suitable properties. They may also assist with the negotiation and closing process, and may provide guidance on issues such as financing, insurance, and property maintenance.

Commercial real estate agents may also help clients stage and prepare their properties for sale or lease, and may provide marketing and advertising support to help sell or lease properties quickly and at a good price. Overall, the main goal of a commercial real estate agent is to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties that meet their needs and goals.

Broker

 A real estate broker is a professional who holds a license to represent clients in the sale, purchase, or rental of real estate properties. In most cases, real estate brokers are more experienced and have more extensive education in real estate than agents. In addition to the tasks typically performed by real estate agents, brokers may also manage a team of agents, oversee transactions, and handle additional responsibilities such as setting prices, advertising properties, and handling legal documents.

In some states, brokers are required to have a certain amount of experience as an agent before they can become licensed as a broker. Once they have obtained a broker’s license, they may choose to open their own real estate brokerage, or they may work for an existing brokerage firm. Real estate brokers often have more autonomy and decision-making authority than agents, and they may be responsible for managing the business and financial aspects of the brokerage.

Transaction Coordinator

This is an administrative role where you work in the office assisting the real estate team. You manage all aspects of a real estate transaction from contract to close, including scheduling inspections and repairs, handling escrow documents, acquiring seller offers, and reviewing all contracts to ensure a smooth closing process. You will be dealing with not only the real estate staff in the office, but as well as work directly with home inspectors, lenders, and the clients.

Since the Transaction Coordinator plays an integral part of the process, this position would be great for somebody who is a great communicator and enjoys being a part of a team. A passion for providing excellent customer service and exceptional organization skills is needed to truly thrive in this role. While many companies typically require you to have a real estate license, you do not usually need a college degree to qualify.

Property Management

Property managers are responsible for handling all of the day-to-day activities needed to ensure everything on the property is operating as it should. This means they deal with the land and buildings on the property as well as tenants who may be occupying the space. Property Managers will typically specialize in either residential property or commercial property.

While there are similarities between the two categories, such as collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, filling vacant units and managing the general upkeep of the property, commercial property managers work with businesses while residential property managers work with individuals and families. This means the nature of the job is vastly different. Commercial property managers typically wear formal business attire and work on the premises during regular business hours. They handle lease contracts that are more complex and require more documentation to close.

Developer

A real estate developer is a professional who is responsible for the planning and construction of new properties, as well as the renovation and redevelopment of existing properties. They may work on a variety of projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

The specific responsibilities of a real estate developer may vary depending on the size and scope of the project, but common tasks may include conducting market research to determine the demand for different types of properties in a particular area, obtaining necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, overseeing the construction process, and selling the finished properties.

Real estate developers may work for a development company, or they may be DIYers who are self-employed. They may also work with a team of professionals, such as financial analysts and real estate agents, to complete their projects.

Marketing

If you are more of a creative person, there are many opportunities available in the real estate industry. In fact, you could say that marketing is the lifeblood for agents to get their leads. They brainstorm, conceptualize, and execute a wide variety of advertising campaigns and track its performance from start to finish.

Marketing Specialists typically manage all of the social media channels, create print and digital media content, email campaigns, and help agents develop their own unique brand. They may work for a real estate agency, a developer, or a property owner. So, the scope of the projects could be wide-ranging.

While a Marketing Specialist won’t have the income potential of a real estate agent, this position is generally more stable and follows a more predictable schedule. Some companies will also allow you to work from home.

Mortgage Loan Officer

A mortgage loan officer is a professional who works with individuals and businesses to help them secure financing for real estate transactions. These professionals work with clients to understand their financial situation, including their credit history, income, and debt obligations, and then help them find mortgage products that meet their needs and goals.

Mortgage loan officers typically work for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, and may also be employed by mortgage brokerages or other companies that specialize in lending. In their role, they may be responsible for evaluating loan applications, reviewing credit reports, negotiating loan terms with lenders, and helping clients understand the terms and conditions of their loans. They may also work with clients to complete necessary documentation and assist with the closing process. Overall, the main goal of a mortgage loan officer is to help clients secure financing to purchase, refinance, or renovate real estate properties.

Home Inspector

A home inspector is a professional who evaluates the condition of a home or other residential property. Home inspections are typically conducted when a home is being bought or sold, and are designed to identify any issues or defects with the property that may need to be addressed.

During a home inspection, the inspector will typically examine the structure and systems of the home, including the foundation, roof, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, and appliances. They may also check for pests, such as termites or other wood-destroying insects.

The home inspector will provide a written report detailing their findings and any recommendations for repairs or maintenance. This report can help buyers understand the condition of the property they are considering purchasing, and can also help sellers identify any issues that need to be addressed before the home is put on the market. Home inspectors do not make repairs or provide estimates for repairs; their role is to provide an objective assessment of the condition of the property.

Appraiser

A real estate appraiser is a professional who evaluates the value of real estate properties. Appraisers may be hired by banks, government agencies, or private individuals to assess the value of a property for a variety of purposes, such as selling, financing, or tax assessment.

To perform their job, appraisers typically follow a set of standardized procedures and use various sources of information about the property and the surrounding area. This may include conducting a physical inspection of the property, reviewing property records and sales data, and considering economic and market conditions.

Once an appraiser has gathered and analyzed this information, they will prepare a report detailing their findings and providing an estimated value for the property. The appraiser’s report is used by lenders, buyers, and other parties to make informed decisions about the property.

Top 3 Real Estate Virtual Assistants to Hire

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As the saying goes: Time is Money.

Whether you just got your real estate license or you are a well-established real estate agent, everyone can take their business to the next level by getting some help. I’m sure you didn’t get into real estate to design websites or shuffle paperwork around, so why not focus your time on the things you are passionate about (and are going to actually make you money). Fortunately, we live in a time where it is easy to find help. However, finding high-quality help is another story.

Here are the three best places we have found to find high-quality help, regardless of what the job is or the budget you are working with.

CompanyIdeal forCommitmentCost
1. FiverrSmall projects such as logo/website design, marketing materials, blogging, social media postsLess than 2 weeksLess than $100
2. Onlinejobs.phSeasoned Agents who need a quality assistant without breaking the bank1 to 3 years$5K to $12K/year
3. MyOutDeskBrokers or Seasoned Agents who only hire the bestLong-termOver $20K/year

1. Fiverr

Fiverr touts itself as the largest marketplace for digital services in the world. Basically, that means you will be able to find someone to help you with anything. It was originally founded in 2010 in Israel with the idea that all the Gigs would be priced at $5. However, they have since grown into a $1 billion company that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and allow Gigs to be virtually any price now.

There are already a plethora of people offering up services on just about everything. You can filter the search results by price range, seller rating, delivery time, and more. It has a very clean interface and is easy to use. They provide customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Signing up is free. You can browse through Gigs that are currently available or post one yourself. You only pay when you order a Gig. Fiverr acts as the middle-man and will collect the payment directly form you to give to the recipient. Fiverr also collects a small service charge of $2 for any Gig that costs up to $40 and then 5% off any Gig that is over $40.

The great thing about Fiverr is there is such a deep talent pool and lots of reviews to go on. I’ve personally used it about a dozen times and never had a bad experience. Of course, I always went with people who were reviewed with the highest ratings. Also, since most Gigs are small tasks, you can get the best of both worlds by hiring the best talent in each area. For example, if you want to setup a website, you can hire a specialist on web-design, a different person for photography, and another person who specializes in marketing. This way, you are not putting all your eggs in one basket by hiring a single person and trusting them with everything.

2. Onlinejobs.ph

Onlinejobs.ph, based in Utah, was founded by John Jonas, who was also looking for some help. He hired a virtual assistant from the Philippines in 2006, and it worked out fantastic. So much so that he still is working with that same person even today! He wanted a way to share that experience to help other people.

What I like about this company is not just because there are over 500,000 resumes from the Philippines to choose from, but they seem to genuinely care about everyone they work with—not just their paying customers. They post testimonials from their virtual assistants along with the employers, and you can see how onlinejobs.ph has enriched their lives and created some amazing opportunities for them.

You can setup a free account to post a job and review job applications. However, you won’t be able to see their contact information or communicate with them until you pay for a subscription. Don’t let the word “subscription” scare you though. There are no contracts, commitments, or hidden fees. You can pay for a month, hire your virtual assistant, and then just cancel right away so you won’t pay for a second month. If you are still on the fence about them, they back up their claims with a 100% Satisfaction guarantee. They go to great lengths to make sure you feel like you are not getting ripped off. All you have to do is contact them within 30 days, and they will give you all your money back.

Once you have hired your virtual assistant, you will pay them directly through EasyPay or Paypal. I like this model because it cuts out the middleman, and you don’t ever have to wonder if there are any accounting tricks being pulled behind closed doors. Also, since they are classified as an overseas sub-contractor, you won’t have to deal with the 1099 tax forms.

3. MyOutDesk (MOD)

MyOutDesk (MOD) is the industry leader when it comes to virtual assistants. Founded in 2008, they originally came from the real estate industry, providing virtual assistance to real estate agents. Since then, they have branched out into other industries and grown to one of the largest VA staffing companies in the country with over 5,000 clients and thousands of staff members all over the world. MOD is perfect for brokers or well-established real estate agents who are in need of long-term, reliable help but without the high cost of hiring a full-time employee.

MOD goes through an extensive screening process when they hire VA candidates. They employ FBI-grade background checks, personality tests, and only hire the people they feel are the “best of the best.” Once hired, their employees go through 160 hours of rigorous training and 5 additional hours of continuing education every month. As a result, they have been ranked as having 36 out of the top 100 teams on RealTrends™.

With all of this high quality help, it will cost more than choosing a freelancer. So is it going to be worth the investment? On their Facebook page, you can see that out of 90 reviews, they have a high 4.7 out of a 5-star rating. On Google, they have a perfect 5-star rating based on 199 reviews. What I think gives the best insight into a company is to see how the employees rank their own company, since I’m a firm believer that the best companies have happy employees. On Glassdoor, their employees have given MOD a 4.3 out of 5 star rating and 95% of people approve of how the CEO is running the company.

If you decide to hire someone from MOD, you can expect to spend a minimum of around $20K per year. That’s not too bad compared to spending $35K to $40K per year on a regular assistant that comes in the office. Not to mention all the costs associated with interviewing job applicants, payroll taxes, and dealing with employee turnover.

This probably would not be a good fit for someone who just go their real estate license. However, if you are a successful real estate agent and your business is booming, MOD can save you thousands of dollars by providing you with highly educated and trained virtual assistants.

USPAP Course – Everything You Need To Know

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How much something is worth is really a subjective opinion. A seller who is trying to maximize their profit may think their house is worth more than what a buyer might think. The appraiser’s job is to act as a referee that is neutral in this tug of war between buyer and seller.

In the real world, appraisers are often pressured by mortgage lenders, brokers, and real estate agents to come up with a property value that will help them close a real estate transaction in order to make the most money. If an appraiser bends to this pressure, bad things happen. Consumers are left footing the bill for other people’s greed. This is, in part, what fueled the Great Recession of 2008.

There had to be a national standard setup to make sure appraisers didn’t fall victim to this pressure and keep them accountable. Regulators decided to achieve this by requiring appraisers to take a course that educates and reminds them of their ethical obligation to remain unbiased and objective.

What is it?

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) sets the minimum standard of quality control for appraisers by requiring education every two years. It establishes the Standards and Statements that cover the development and reporting of valuation that all appraisers must abide by to ensure that the appraisal report is independent and remains free of bias.

There are also Advisory Opinions that are non-binding but is meant to serve as a guide. The USPAP does not instruct an appraiser on what specific appraisal method to use. It simply requires that appraisers be familiar with and correctly employ methods that other appraisers, who are also capable of working on a similar assignment, would find acceptable to the intended users of the appraisal.

There isn’t just one USPAP course. There are several variations of the USPAP course intended for different purposes. However, you only need to take one USPAP course at any given time. The only exception is if you have been subject to a penalty by your state appraisal board or you are in a discipline-specific association that is requiring it. In either of these cases, they will be notifying you directly if you need to take an additional USPAP course.

Who needs to take it?

  • Anyone who wants to become a licensed appraiser must take the 15-hour National USPAP course.
  • Appraisers who are currently licensed must take a 7-hour USPAP National Update course (or its equivalent) once every two calendar years.
  • Appraisers who have been subject to disciplinary action by regulators may need be required to take the 15-hour National USPAP course.

USPAP Courses

Here is the complete list of USPAP (commonly pronounced as YOOS-PAP) courses that are available. You will want to make sure you take the right one.

If you are a real property appraiser:

7-Hour National USPAP Update Course
Available online and classroom
Fulfills USPAP requirement
Counts as Continuing Education (CE)

7-Hour USPAP Update Course for Non-Residential Real Property 
Available online only
Fulfills USPAP requirement
Counts as Continuing Education (CE)

7-Hour USPAP Update Course for Mass Appraisal
Available Classroom only
Fulfills USPAP requirement
Counts as Continuing Education (CE)

7-Hour Residential Review and Compliance Course
Available online and classroom
Does not fulfill USPAP requirement
Counts as Continuing Education (CE)

15-Hour National USPAP Course 
Available online and classroom
Fulfills USPAP requirement
Counts as Qualifying Education (QE) and Continuing Education (CE)

15-Hour USPAP Course for Personal Property
Available Classroom only
Does not fulfill USPAP requirement
Does not count as Continuing Education (CE)

7-Hour USPAP Update Course for Personal Property
Available Classroom only
Does not fulfill USPAP requirement
Does not count as Continuing Education (CE)

If you are a mass appraiser:

7-Hour USPAP Update Course for Mass Appraisal
Available Classroom only
Fulfills USPAP requirement
Counts as Continuing Education (CE)

If you are a business appraiser:

15-Hour USPAP Course for Business Appraisal
Available classroom only
Does not fulfill USPAP requirement
Does not counts as Continuing Education (CE)

When does it have to be completed?

There is a new edition of the USPAP course that is published every two years, beginning on January 1st of even-numbered years. For example, there is a new edition of the USPAP course for January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023, January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, etc…

The USPAP course must be completed by the year that it was approved for. In other words, if you have signed up for the 2020-2021 National USPAP Update course from an approved education provider, you have until December 31st, 2021 to complete that course. The course certificate would not be accepted by the state appraisal board if you completed it on January 1, 2022 or later.

In practice, if you are already a licensed appraiser, you will most likely be trying to complete the USPAP by your license renewal date, which can occur earlier than the date the USPAP course expires for most people.

How much does it cost?

The USPAP is the most expensive appraisal course no matter where you take it because appraisal schools are required to pay royalties to The Appraisal Foundation.

Also, since this course is tightly regulated, it has the most rigorous standards compared to any other appraisal course. The Appraisal Foundation requires appraisal schools to make sure students have mastered the topics. Typically, that means you have to score 100% on all the quizzes and pass them twice. Fortunately, most CE courses don’t require final exams at the end.

Here is a list of the three biggest appraisal schools that offer the 7-hour National USPAP Update course.

OnCourse Learning$189.00Click here for more details
McKissock$199.99Click here for more details
Appraisal Institute$250.00Click here for more details

Background

As a result of the savings and loans crisis in the 1980’s, Congress passed The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) to give the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) the authority to oversee the appraisal standards and licensing qualifications for the nation.

Around the same time, an ad hoc committee representing the nine major U.S. and Canadian appraisal organizations formed an independent entity called The Appraisal Foundation (TAF) and developed the USPAP.

TAF has three independent boards:

  • Appraisal Standards Board(ASB) – publishes, promotes and maintains the USPAP
  • Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) – sets the national minimum standards for appraisal licensing. States have the discretion to place additional requirements.
  • Appraisal Practice Board (APB) – offers voluntary guidance to appraisers, regulators, and users of appraisal services on recognized valuation methods and techniques, emerging issues, and other topics that may arise for all valuation disciplines.

How Do I Renew My Appraiser License?

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The Appraisal Foundation has a national mandate that every licensed appraiser complete one 7 hour National USPAP Update course every 2 years. 

On top of that, every state imposes their own requirements for continuing education (CE) in order to renew your license. 

It is important to check with your state appraisal board to make sure you get everything completed on time, especially if you have a license in multiple states. 

CE Requirements by State

California

California appraisers are required to complete a total of 56 hours of continuing education during the 4-year Education cycle. Note: The License cycle is every 2 years.

There are two mandatory deadlines within the 4-year Education cycle:

Education Renewal Deadline #1: Licensees must complete a 7 hour National USPAP Update course by the second year of the cycle.

Education Renewal Deadline #2: Licensees must complete the remaining required 49 hours of continuing education by the end of their 4-year cycle. This must include another 7-hour USPAP course as well as a 4 hour California Laws and Regulations course.

2020-2021 7-hour National USPAP Update Prices

OnCourse Learning$189.00Click here for more details
McKissock$199.99Click here for more details
Appraisal Institute$250.00Click here for more details

Colorado

Appraisers are now required to take 28 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years from the date it was issues. This must include one 7 hour USPAP course.

If you’ve received our initial license on or after July 1st of any year, you do not have to do any CE for that year.

If you received your initial license before July 1st of any year, then you are required to complete 14 hours of CE as a condition of renewal before the license spires on December 31st of the year it was issued.

Florida

State registered, licensed and certified appraisers must complete thirty (30) hours of appraiser continuing education every 24 months as prescribed by the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, and shall include the 7-hour National USPAP update course or its equivalent and shall be taught by an AQB certified USPAP instructor. A minimum of 3 hours shall be dedicated to a review and update of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Law and Board Rules

The 30 required hours can be completed by distance education or classroom

Georgia

 All licensed appraisers in Georgia must complete 14 hours of continuing education every year, and a 7 hour USPAP course every 2 years.

Your education provider will electronically submit your certificates to GREAB on your behalf. You can check the status to see if they have been posted here.Once your CE has successfully posted to your record, you can pay your renewal fee online, up to 120 days prior to your renewal date.

Note: You cannot take the same courses with a one year period.

Illinois

There are three key deadlines to remember:

  1. Licensed Illinois appraisers must complete 28 total hours of continuing education by the CE Completion Deadline, which is on June 30th on odd years (e.g. 2021, 2023, 2025, etc…).
  2. The USPAP course must be completed within 6 months after it comes out.
  3. You must pay the appropriate renewal fee by the License Renewal Deadline, which is on September 30th on odd years.

Note: If you are short on your renewal hours, you will be subjected to a $100 fee per missed CE hour. For example, if you are short 7 hours of CE, the administrative fee is $700.

The current renewal fees are:

Associate Trainee Appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$300
$530
$530

Kansas

Although each appraiser renews annually, continuing education runs on a two-year cycle. Renewals during even years ( 2020, 2022, etc.) do not require that you log continuing education. You will simply complete the renewal application and submit it with the renewal fee. Renewals during odd years (2019, 2021, etc.) require that most appraisers log 28 hours of continuing education.

Education cycles are determined by several factors. Generally, the cycle will run from July 1 of each odd year through May 31 of the following odd year. However, if the license was renewed after June 30 of the previous odd year, your education cycle would run from the date that renewal was processed through May 31 of the following odd year [example: If you renewed late on July 15, 2017, then your 2019 education cycle would run from July 15, 2017 through May 31, 2019]. If your Kansas license was originally issued during the current education cycle, the issue date would be the beginning of the cycle. Courses completed prior to Kansas licensure cannot be used to meet any continuing education requirement.

During every two-year education cycle, each appraiser is required to complete the 7-hour USPAP Update course as a part of the hours required.

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee (Provisional)
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$150
$190
$190
$190

Louisiana

During each two-year certification period and as a prerequisite for certification renewal, state licensed appraisers must complete 28 hours of continuing education course work in courses approved by the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board as follows:

  • The mandatory seven-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Update Course.  (No Exceptions.) 
  • 21 hours in real estate appraisal electives (The certified appraiser may complete these hours in appraisal subject(s) of his/her choice provided the Board approves the course(s).

Credit toward the continuing education requirement for licensed appraiser trainees, certified residential appraisers, and certified general appraisers will not be granted for courses that are less than two instructional hours. A final examination is not required on courses administered for the purpose of continuing education. 

Maryland

Appraisers in Maryland are on a 3 year renewal cycle from the date their license was first issued. 42 total hours of continuing education is required every cycle, including the 7 hour USPAP course which is required every 2 years

The Commission will send out a reminder by mail 30 days prior to your license expiration date.

Anyone who fails to renew his or her license during its regular term may renew the license/certificate if the applicant meets all continuing education and filing requirements and pays the Commission a reinstatement fee of $75 in addition to the renewal fee required. 

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$150
$250 plus $120 National Registry fee
$250 plus $120 National Registry fee
$250 plus $120 National Registry fee

Michigan

All levels of appraisers must complete 28 hours of continuing education biennially on July 31st.  

Appraisers are required to complete continuing education for a partial year in a continuing education cycle as follows: 

  • For continuing education cycle periods of 185 days or more, 14 hours of continuing education is required.
  • For continuing education cycle periods of less than 185 days, no hours of continuing education are required.
  • Educational offerings taken by an individual in order to fulfill the class hour requirement for a different classification than his/her current classification may be simultaneously counted towards the continuing education requirement of his/her current classification.

The 7-hour National USPAP course must be completed every renewal period. Also, a 2-hour course on Michigan appraiser licensing law and rules must be completed

The renewal notification will be mailed to the home address that is on file with the Department approximately 60 days prior to the date of renewal. 

The current renewal fees are:

Limited Appraiser (Trainee)
State-Licensed Appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$250
$350
$350
$350

Ohio

Fourteen (14) hours of continuing education credits must be submitted every year.

The Division must receive a 7‐hour, AQB‐approved National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course once every two (2) years as part of the 14‐hour CE requirement

The current renewal fees are:

Registered Appraiser Assistant
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$50
$125 plus $40 National Registry fee
$125 plus $40 National Registry fee
$125 plus $40 National Registry fee

Oregon

Appraiser Assistants must submit course completion certificate for no less than 14 hours of qualifying or continuing education every year on or before the license expiration date. This must include a 7-hour USPAP update course, which is required every 2 years.

Licensed Appraisers must submit course completion certificates for 28 hours of continuing or qualifying education courses, including a 7-hour USPAP update course, every 2 years on or before the license expiration date. 

The current renewal fees are:

Registered Appraiser Assistant
State-Licensed
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$75
$500 plus $80 National Registry fee
$500 plus $80 National Registry fee
$500 plus $80 National Registry fee

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers requires you to complete 28 total hours of continuing education by June 30th on every odd-numbered year (e.g. 2021, 2023, 2025, etc…)

These must include one 7 hour National USPAP Update course and one 2 hour Pennsylvania Law course.

The board mails renewal notices 2 to 3 months prior to the expiration date.  

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$150
$305
$305
$305

Texas

Texas appraisers must complete 28 hours of approved Appraiser Continuing Education (ACE) courses every 2 years, including one 7 hour National USPAP Update course.

Note: The same courses cannot be repeated within a 3 year period. 

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$250
$290
$310
$360

Virginia

All real estate appraisers, including trainees, must satisfactorily complete continuing education courses or seminars offered by accredited colleges, universities, junior and community colleges; adult distributive or marketing education programs; local, state or federal government agencies, boards or commissions; proprietary schools; or real estate appraisal or real estate related organizations of not less than 28 classroom hours during each licensing term.

Seven of the classroom hours completed to satisfy the continuing education requirements shall be the National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice update course or its equivalent.

Note: Aside from complying with the requirement to complete the 7- Hour National USPAP Update Course, or its equivalent, appraisers may not receive credit for completion of the same continuing education course within a licensing term.

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$125
$205
$205
$205

Washington

The appraiser license in Washington renews every two years on your birthday. You must complete 28 hours of continuing education during your cycle, including one 7 hour National USPAP Update course.

You can turn in the course certificates 120 days before your license expires.

The current renewal fees are:

Trainee
Licensed appraiser
Certified Residential
Certified General

 

$200
$530
$530
$530

How to Find a Supervisory Appraiser

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Finding a supervisor will feel like you're trying to scale Mount Everest... if you don't know what you're doing.

If you want to become a licensed real estate appraiser, you’ll have to obtain experience as a trainee. This is basically an apprenticeship position under a certified appraiser (Certified Residential or Certified General level). They will be your mentor and teach you the ins and outs of the trade. They are the ones who will show you how to actually write an appraisal report.

Most states require trainees to obtain 1,000 hours of experience in no less than 6 months. California and some other states have the highest requirement at 2,000 hours in no less than a year. (Update: As of April 1, 2020, California only requires 1,000 hours!)

You can work with as many certified appraisers as you want.

Now, to address the elephant in the room. The #1 question (and concern) for anyone trying to get into appraisal is:

“How do I find a certified appraiser to hire me?”

The easiest, and most obvious, way is if you already have a friend or family member who’s a certified appraiser.

Another option is to contact banks or Appraisal Management Companies (AMC) and see if they’re hiring. Some of them even pay you on a salary.

There are a few states like Iowa where the appraisal board will actually provide you with a list of active supervisory appraisers. If you are lucky enough to live in one of these states that offer this, you can simply go down the list and call each one to see if they will hire you. Pro tip: I would start from the bottom of the list and work your way up. Since everyone else usually starts at the top, the appraisers at the top of the list get the most calls and won’t be as receptive. 

If you have exhausted those options, then you’ll have to find one by reaching out to them yourself.

I hear a lot of people complaining that they can’t find anyone. And you know what? I’m not surprised.  The reason why so many people struggle is that they have the wrong expectations and wrong approach.

I personally didn’t know anyone in the industry when I started. I didn’t have any prior connections, and I’ve been able to successfully find multiple supervisory appraisers. They’re definitely out there. In fact, I know some who are actively looking to take on new trainees all the time.

How did I do it?

Set the right expections.

I’ve heard a lot of people say something like, “I’ve sent my resume out to 50 appraisers and haven’t heard back.”

What I’m thinking is, why should you expect to hear something back?

I mean, if you were to randomly send your resume out to 50 companies for any other profession, do you really expect them to respond? Or just hire you out of the blue?

You have to put yourself in their shoes. You are not the first person to ask them for a job.

And since you are the one looking for the job (not them), you have to first prove that you’re even worth talking to.

It’s also a good idea to know what you’re getting into. This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. You’re going to be required to invest a lot of time and energy from the start. This entire process is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. You have to pace yourself. If you set your hopes up too high in the beginning, then you’re only setting yourself up for failure. 

You are not going to be making very much money as a trainee. This inconvenience is only temporary. Keep your eye on the prize. Remember, you’re building the foundation so you can have a successful 10+ year career.  

The Approach

The #1 way to get hired is by talking to a certified appraiser face-to-face. I cannot stress how valuable meeting someone in person is. They will remember you and get a good feel for the type of person you are.

Here’s my secret on how to contact them in person:

As a trainee, you’re required to take continuing education (CE) courses to keep your appraiser’s license active. Find live courses in your area, and use your CE as an excuse to meet other appraisers. 

Triple Play Appraisal CE Class by Doug Vairo

You can find live CE courses at McKissock Learning, the Appraisal Institute, appraisal coalitions, and trade associations in your state. 

Don’t take all your CE hours at once. You’ll want to spread your CE schedule over a long period of time, so you have a better chance of meeting more people.

This makes breaking the ice much easier. You can just casually strike up a conversation, and say something like, “so how long have you been in the industry?”

Remember, if you introduce yourself, you are on the “clock.” Your interview has started.

They are sizing you up as a person and as a professional. They are consciously (and subconsciously) looking at how you dress and present yourself. They will remember you, so make sure you leave a good impression.

Keep in mind, there are good mentors and bad mentors out there, so you want to be vigilant about who you work with. If they come to class with a disheveled appearance and papers spilling out of their binders, that’s probably not a good sign that they will make a good supervisor.

If you do find someone that presents themselves professionally and seems knowledgeable, simply ask them if they are willing to take on any trainees.

If you are in a remote location or there aren’t very many live classes in your area, then you will have to just pick up the phone and call them. Fortunately, you can easily search the National Registry of Appraiser’s to find one in your area. Your state board also provides a directory.

Whether you meet them in person or call them, they will most likely say “no.”

Expect this to happen, but don’t get discouraged. A “no” today isn’t a “no” for tomorrow. I’ve personally talked to several certified appraisers who agreed to take on trainees (even though they didn’t want to) simply because the trainee was persistent.

This is where you can separate yourself from people who complain on internet chat rooms that they can’t find anyone. 

If you meet them in person, ask for their business card. If they didn’t bring one, ask for their phone number and email address.

You are still in the "interview" process.

You must send them a follow-up email within 24 hours. Timing is CRUCIAL. This is a small window where you have a chance to prove that you know proper business etiquette.

Keep it casual but professional. Don’t over-analyze the message. Simply tell them it was great to meet them, and that you hope to have an opportunity to work with them in the future.

You are planting a seed in their mind. If you want, you can attach your resume.

Connect with them on LinkedIn. Before you do though, make sure your own LinkedIn profile is polished and up-to-date.

At this point, you will need to follow up with them every 1-2 months. Calling them over the phone gives you the best chance of getting hired. If they don’t pick up, then just leave a message.

If you’re an introvert like me and don’t like making phone calls, you can alternate between phone and email.

It doesn’t matter if they respond or not. What’s happening is that they are getting to know you. They get to see your communication and writing skills. They get to see your work ethic and drive. And hopefully, they are even starting to like you.

How long do you have to keep following up? It’s up to you. This is YOUR “interview.” It ends when you quit.

Remember, you only need to find one supervisor. 

Some Last Thoughts

Finding someone to train you doesn’t have to be hard.

Most people struggle because they are stuck in an “I can’t do it” mindset. Remember that every contact you make with a potential mentor is a “test,” so you should always put your best foot forward. Certified appraisers, and pretty much every company, want to hire people with an “I can” attitude. If something is not working, then try something else.

That’s not to say that finding a supervisor will be easy. But if you set the right expectations for yourself and be patient with the process, your persistence and hard work will pay off.