re: Thoughts on Becoming a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser?

I've been appraising commercial properties since 1990. At one point I was working towards a designation, but it went by the wayside due to the time demand and the constant cost of living. As a general certified appraiser, I've always stayed busy and through the years have become much more selective and specialized relative to which jobs I want to complete. I prefer appraising farmland and industrial properties, so bid more aggressively on those and bid real high/long on undesirable jobs.

There is a growing shortage of appraisers, so future is bright with regard to business. One of the biggest problems of the industry is the apprenticeship need and finding an experienced appraiser to work with. It looks like you already have bypassed that hurdle. There is talk of removing the college degree from the certification requirement. That would bring larger numbers into the fold.

Pros:
It's "a living". You'll never get rich, but you can comfortably raise a family.

I absolutely love being my own boss, choosing my assignments, and coming & going as I please.

In this day and age, you can operate your own "appraisal shop" with a computer and desk. Everything you need is on-line now, be it for a price.

Cons:
Benefits of a corporate structure with paid vacation and health insurance.

Income tops off a certain level, unless you want to work your butt off or bring in trainees, which is time-consuming and increases liability (E & O insurance).