What is an appraiser?
An appraiser is one who compiles and analyzes voluminous data of problematical accuracy from sources of dubious veracity and derives therefrom a numerical quantification of unquestionable necessity, analogous to a nebelous and euphemistic concept representational of value commensurate with ambient configurations of the open market and promulgates thereby a precise written declamation which delineates his observation, deliberations and conclusions all done while he feighns absolute ignorance of the avericious machinations of Buyers, Sellers, Brokers and Lenders, compensated only by that penurious stipend known as the professional fee. This joke is from Bill Sparks Web site at www.mwan.com (Web site for his appraisal tracking program). His company Web site is www.sparks-co.com. Bill doesn’t know where this joke originated, but Thanks for sending it to us!
A real estate appraiser’s job, like that of any professional, is to serve the needs of the client. The first job of the appraiser is to find a cost-effective means to meet each client’s need, from a brief consultation or use of the output from an automated valuation model to a 90-page, comprehensive report. The appraiser serves the client’s need, up to a point: the point at which the client seeks to mislead some third party – a lender, the IRS, or a court. All the ethical rules that apply to appraisers boil down to just that: that the appraiser not mislead. Claims on TV that the jewelry you buy is “guaranteed to appraise for twice this price” don’t help the public’s understanding of what an appraisal is.
An appraiser is a real estate professional who specializes in providing opinions of value (appraisals). Most appraisers are real estate appraisers, who specialize in real property. Other appraisers specialize in other types of property, such as gems or machinery and equipment. Professional appraisers have taken courses and been supervised during their training period. State licensed and certified appraisers must pass a test and have completed basic education and continuing education. Most states also require a period of supervision, usually 2,000+ hours before being able to do appraisals “on their own.” Back to Top What do appraisers do? The property inspection is really the “tip of the iceberg” of the work they do. They research public record information, get a plat map, check the zoning, flood data and research sales and listings of similar properties. During the inspection, they make a drawing of the dwellings and other improvements such as a garages, barns, shops, sheds, etc.. They
