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Are you passionate about property? Good with math and have excellent detective skills? If so, then you might like to become a real estate appraiser.
Appraisers visit a property and determine what it’s value would be in the current market.
They sometimes also determine value in the past.
Real estate appraisers often work for banks and money lenders, and determine the value of a property.
They also work for real estate agents, investment groups and managed funds, and sometimes are self-employed.
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Education Requirements to Become a Real Estate Appraiser
You must be a certified real estate appraiser to conduct this business in all of the states.
The requirements vary, but on the in most places consist of about 75 hours of education, written exams, and practical experience as a trainee real estate appraiser.
Each state has its own licensing requirements for real estate appraisers.
If you would like to become a real estate appraiser then you should find out exactly what you need to do in your own areas before you enroll in any courses or programs.
While it’s not required in all places, many real estate appraisers hold a bachelor’s degree.
Economics, mathematics, finance, or business administration degrees would all provide an ideal academic background.
In most states, appraisers are required to have a two year associate’s degree to value residential property and a four year bachelor’s degree to value commercial property.
For the exact requirements for licensure in your state, take a look on the Appraisal Foundation website.
Real Estate Appraiser Job Description
Appraisers of real estate determine the value of a property.
They do this by a wide variety of means starting by visiting the home and viewing the condition of the property.
They will look for any structural damage and areas where repairs would be needed.
Often, they will take photos of the property.
Back at the office, a real estate appraiser will use databases to find out the selling prices of similar homes in the area, and may contact local real estate agents to find out any additional sales.
They will also consider zoning, and potential developments to the property.
When you become a real estate appraiser, you need to consider factors that could cause a value of a property to drop as well.
A real estate appraiser will then form a final report with a value and the various risk factors.
Here are some of the tasks of a real estate appraiser:
- Taking appointments
- Contacting home owners
- Keeping in contact with real estate agents
- Using databases
- Inspecting homes
- Examining drawings and blueprints
- Looking for property damage
- Measuring rooms and block sizes
- Forming a final report
Real Estate Appraiser Salary and Career Path
When you first become a real estate appraiser it is likely that you will be employed in a real estate appraisal office or by a bank.
You will work for a few months as a trainee real estate appraiser, then move on to work independently.
In these kind of roles you are paid in a salary.
Many real estate appraisers go on to become self-employed.
Currently about 27% in the industry work this way.
The more experience you have, the higher the fees you can charge are.
Commercial appraisers will generally charge more than residential appraisers.
There is not much room for advancement on this career path beyond self-employment.
Some go on to become real estate agents, or work in other areas of property.
The median salary of a real estate appraiser is $47,000 a year.
The top ten percent of earners make over $88,000 a year.
Some similar roles to that of real estate appraiser you may be interested in include:
- Real estate agent
- Real estate broker
- Loan officer
- Insurance broker
If you’re looking for a role that allows you a lot of variety then you might like to become a real estate appraiser.
While you’ll work business hours, you won’t be tied to your desk the whole time.
There is room for professional development in this career, and also the possibility of being self-employed.
Job prospects are expected to grow in the sector in the coming years.
