How To Become A Real Estate Appraiser

Real estate appraisers and assessors calculate the value of residential and commercial property. They assess the value of land and buildings before they are sold, taxed, insured, developed, or mortgaged. Most of the real estate appraisers work full time in the regular business hours. They work in offices, but also spend a lot of time in the field where they carry out various site visits.

Real Estate Appraiser Job Description
Real estate appraisers or assessors usually perform the following tasks:

• Verification of the legal descriptions of property in the public records
• Inspection and assessment of different properties to observe different characteristics
• Photography to keep a record of a property's exterior and interior portions
• Usage of similar properties to estimate the value of a particular building or land
• Preparation of written reports on the property
• Preparation and updating  of real estate data

How To Become A Real Estate Appraiser
Education
The education requirements for real estate appraisers vary according to the type of work they want to do. Real estate appraisers need a bachelor's degree if they are looking to appraise commercial property, but an associate's degree is sufficient if they want to appraise residential areas only. Real estate appraisers have many educational backgrounds, but it is quite helpful if they have taken courses in math, economics, computer science, and business.

Certification And Licensure
All real estate appraisers require a state license in order to practice. The requirements vary according to the type of license required. In order to become a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, they will require:

• An associate's degree
• 200 hours of appraiser training in a classroom setting
• More than 2,500 hours of work experience of at least two years or more

In order to become a Certified General Real Property Appraiser, they will require:

• A bachelor's degree
• 300 hours of appraiser training in a classroom setting
• More than 3,000 hours of work experience of at least two and half years or more

Online Education Programs
Online education programs are another option to acquire real estate appraiser education. Accredited online programs have the same curriculum as that of an accredited on-campus program, but the amount of convenience and flexibility is greater. These programs are self-paced and students may study at any time and from anywhere there is an internet connection. Online education allows for a student to continue working full-time and still be able to handle other responsibilities, and this is why it opens up study options for diverse groups of people.  It also saves additional costs associated with on campus education, which makes cost effective as well. These types of programs are also great for people who are looking to change careers without having to worry about enrolling and attending classes on a campus.

Career Outlook And Salary
The market for real estate appraisers is highly competitive, and more job opportunities will be available in the active real estate markets. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities will grow at a rate of seven percent during 2010 to 2020, and the median salary of real estate appraisers was around $48,500 for May 2010.