Interest in real estate appraisal has changed over the twenty years that I have been teaching such courses at colleges.  In the one-day seminars of the late 1980’s and early 90’s most people were home owners and investors wanting more information about how appraisers valued properties.  Back then many people had never had the opportunity to read an appraisal.  It wasn’t until after 1989 that the law required lenders to deliver a copy of the report to a borrower upon request.

Over the last decade more and more people have shown an interest in appraisal as a career choice or possibly as a supplemental income source for those with full-time jobs.  It can often be aligned with an early retirement as well.  Real estate appraisal can fit these objectives nicely.

Unlike other professions, real estate appraisal requires only a modest amount of training.  Classes are available from a number of sources and can be completed without impeding ones daily routine.  For example, weekend classes are available through Riverside Community College and through Palomar College in San Marcos.

The degree to which technology has come to the aid of this work effort is amazing.  Today, the data required to complete an appraisal is available on-line 24/7, allowing much of the effort to be done whenever the appraiser chooses to do it.  The report writing software can be used on a home computer.  In fact, many residential appraisers work from an office at home.  The nature of the task breaks down nicely so that it can be completed by more than one person with a balance of efforts done at a computer, along with the outside task of property inspection.  Couples and families often work together, splitting the work along lines of personal skills or preferences.

As a career choice, there are many clear-cut reasons for considering real estate appraisal.  Among the reasons I would sight:  a pleasant professional activity that has positive relationships with customers and clients, flexibility of schedule, solid potential for long-term income with much less of the instability felt by others in the real estate industry -- appraisals are required for many reasons other than sales and refinancing.  Most people who choose this as a career, remain in the field for a lifetime.

As we move through the next portion of the business cycle I look forward to seeing how the audience will once again change.  One thing is for sure, real estate and real estate appraisals will always be a part of our lives here in Southern California!

WILLIAM MANSFIELD is a licensed real estate broker and appraiser with 40 years experience in the industry.  He is a published author, lecturer and instructor at various colleges throughout Southern California.