Commercial General Appraisers!!!

[Christopher Holt]

I’ve talked to a few mentors about my career path, and an option they thought would be good for me is becoming a certified general appraiser. After some research and studying I agree!

I know this is a difficult field to break into and that I need someone to take me under their wing. A mentor told me to become knowledgeable through YouTube so that when I schedule “lunch dates” with CGAs,  I can impress them a little bit. 

For context, I have a business degree in marketing (not good I know) and work for the biggest single family rental company in the US doing entry level customer service. I've been studying REI for about 3 yrs, PMed a successful rehab, and am about to do a development deal with the help of a mentor I met recently, so I know at least a little about REI, but still pretty green. 24 yrs old

My question is, should I start the 300 online school hours and gain knowledge that way, or keep taking notes and watching YouTube? And how can I wow a good CGA enough to give me a shot?

If you’re a CGA any tips on this would be greatly appreciated

[Doug Smith]

I was speaking at a conference a couple of years ago and one of the other speakers, an executive with an appraisal management company, pointed out that the average age of an appraiser in the US at that time was 58 years old. Younger people simply aren't going into the field. You have to pass an exam and spend a great deal of time as an "apprentice". It's not something young people like yourself are flocking to. Might I say this...you can watch as much Youtube or read as many blog posts on here as you want, but that doesn't get you closer to your license. If you feel that appraising is your calling, go for it, but a long journey begins with a single step. If you're committed to it, skip Youtube and go right to the class. ng