How does one get a job as a residential property appraiser for a county or local government?

November 1, 2009 8:08 PM

How does one get a job as a residential property appraiser for a county or local government?
posted by st starseed to Work & Money (3 answers total)

Laws for property appraisers differ for each state. In California, there is a course you can take through some real estate companies. The course covers how to appraise a house, including electrical, plumbing, foundation examinations. It also covers how to come to an appropriate price for a house, based on neighborhood and prior sales. It can take several months of serious study to really learn everything, including the formulas used to determine value.

You have to pass the USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) exam. It's in depth, but not exceedingly difficult. Mostly it covers ethics, and report writing formats and criteria.

After you have completed your coursework, you apprentice with an experienced appraiser for a certain amount of hours, I'm not sure the exact amount. After you do that, you are a Certified Property Appraiser.

My friend, who is a Graduate Certified Appraiser (for personal property, antiques and such) has been trying to get certified for several years. The final exam she needs to take keeps getting pushed back for various reasons.

It IS a good field. Savvy homebuyers ALWAYS need home inspections no matter WHAT the market is doing!
posted by Jinx of the 2nd Law at 9:15 PM on November 1, 2009

Once you have the proper training and certification, all you can do is check various government job websites and wait for a job opening!
posted by Jinx of the 2nd Law at 9:43 PM on November 1, 2009

San Francisco has a City-run Appraiser Trainee program.
posted by zombiedance at 5:14 PM on November 2, 2009