My name is Victor Cornejo, and I am currently a Certified Residential Appraiser / Co-Owner of Appraisal Brothers. I wanted to share three things I wish I knew before becoming a real estate appraiser. But before we discuss the three reasons, I wanted to share what I enjoy about appraising! This career offers a balance between office work and being out on the road. Every day is unique. One day might involve appraising a rural 20-acre lot residential barndominium hours away from my office, and the next day, I could be appraising a condo in a Dallas skyscraper next to the American Airlines Arena.
The first thing I wish I knew before appraising was the amount of work it took to become a Certified Residential Appraiser. I was a trainee for a year, and that year looked like 80-hour workweeks. I was grateful that a mentor was willing to train me and work with me. There was a significant barrier to entry in finding a trainer. Despite the long hours, I enjoyed working with my trainer because I learned so much and appreciated both the analytical aspect of appraising and the data collection part, such as measuring the subject property.
The second thing I wish I knew before getting into the appraisal industry was how underrepresented we are. I have attended various appraiser networking events throughout Texas, and most appraisers tend to share their concerns with each other. It’s difficult to get our voices heard due to the limited number of appraisers nationwide. It’s rare to see another appraiser in public other than at an appraiser networking event. So, I do my best to network and encourage other appraisers to attend these events to have their voices heard and share their experiences with the public.
The last thing I wish I knew before appraising was how supportive appraisers are within the industry. I learned how to appraise by working with one trainer. Throughout that year, I learned every step of how he appraises. However, when I became a licensed appraiser, I was without a trainer due to low order volume caused by the market. During this time, I started attending appraisal classes and networking with other appraisers. This experience significantly enhanced my appraisal skills. I learned about how other appraisers utilize different methods in measuring, appraisal tools, etc. If you are thinking of choosing appraising as a career, I recommend to start networking!
