Real estate is a major – and pivotal – facet of our economy. Whenever real estate is sold, mortgaged, taxed, insured, or developed, an appraisal is an essential component of any transaction. Without a knowledgeable and trustworthy appraisal, a real estate transaction will fall apart at the seams. Real estate appraisers are problem solvers. Just like putting together a puzzle, they arrange hundreds of facts, statistics, market data and property characteristics to show their clients – and other related parties such as banks and mortgage companies – what the picture looks like. In essence, the real estate appraiser puts a dollar value to every piece in the puzzle and can sum up what it’s all worth when the picture is complete.
Real estate appraisal is a unique career choice that can fit into anyone’s lifestyle, pace, and expectations. One can let his or her location and market dictate the types of real estate property to appraise, such as single-family homes, commercial properties, shopping malls and farms, or one can explore the country and accept specialized appraisal assignments in different states, or even countries