Hey everyone, is there any certified residential appraisers on here??? I"m interested in becoming a certified residential appriaser in Pennsylvania. Any on here?? That could hook me up with some schools and any other helpful info. Thanks.

Go to www.appraisersforum.com This is an appraiser forum similar to this one. They have a "jobs wanted" section were you can leave a post looking for a spponsor. There are also other posts doing with "newbies/trainees".
Each state has its own requirement for an appraiser. In Texas you have to find a certified appraiser who will sponsor you. Once that is done, you go throuhg training and during this process you will take your required courses. With all that said, it is very difficult sometimes to find an appraiser to sponsor someone. Most appraisers are very busy and don't have the time required to properly train someone. In most cases, they would prefer to hire someone who has a license or a trainee that has alot of experience. But to get the experience, you need a sponsor. Kinda like a catch-22. Good luck in you search.

Also appraisers are being phased out of the mortgage lending industry. Many appraisers are hungry for work right now. Fees are dropping, pressure to make numbers is increasing, many appraisers are leaving the field. Basically it's a dying field at the moment.

Oh really. Wow. I guess its not worth the investment then. I figured since I'm a real estate agent I could join the 2 together and really make some good money. I mean the housing market in my area is just crazy so, maybe just your location matters.

Put it this way. It IS a synergistic field. I am both and I love it. The first step is to find the sponsor. That is the TOUGH part. Like real estate you have to be willing to work for very little when you start out. It will be all about learning for 2 years until you are fully licensed. While it is a gloom and doom scenario for many appraisers right now, the really good ones are still working. I'm very busy. It's just that more of the work is outside the mortgage lending industry. It also looks good on your resume and you will be able to do one MEAN CMA once you are an appraiser.

Shobe

I am a certified resdiential appraiser, currently working on getting a broker's license. I do hope to combine appraising and sales, at least for a while. I feel like I can not significantly increase my productivity as an appraiser and I'm looking to try to increase my income by adding sales to the mix.

I fully agree that the most difficult part is finding a mentor. Do spend some time reading the newbie section on appraisersforum.com.

I don't think appraisers for mortgage lending work are going away. The trend right now is for more detailed appraisals, but there may be too many appraisers for the volume of work that is currently available. I also do not see much of an increase in the average appraisal fee and the amount of quality full fee work is diminishing.

My DH is an appraiser trying to get his certification. He is having a hard time passing the class that you take right before the state cert. His friend is doing well, he is certified & has his crew set up. The one thing we have noticed is some lenders will pay you less than others but will give you bulk. I think if you devote yourself and make the right moves on getting your name out there to lenders you will do well. Good luck.