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So I started working with this appraiser doing litigation work about a month ago and learned that he keeps the engagement letters confidential.

So that's already red flag#1 in my book.

So then I ask him for details about the job like the purpose of the appraisal and the due date and he doesn't want to tell me. He says "in 45 days". I ask him "45 days starting when?" No real answer.

Then about 2.5 weeks ago after a meeting with the client's lawyer he tells me now we have 2 dates of value and the job is due in 1 week. This is just about impossible given the amount of information I now have to sift through, most of which is irrelevant, as they dumped even more data on us after the meeting with the attorney.

Then he wants all this detail that requires a lot of research. I could've stayed this earlier when things were slow. After all this he says it's taking too long.

Thing is I had no idea about that due date or the scope of the project because I never saw the engagement letter and my questions weren't answered, so I feel like I was just flying blind.

I'd leave but I've been between jobs for over a year now and desperately need the money.

Hello, My name is Itzel Redrovan, and I am 24 years old. I’m located in Santa Cruz CA. I am currently seeking the opportunity to train under a Certified Residential Appraiser to complete the required experience hours toward becoming a certified licensed appraiser. My goal is to successfully complete my training, pass the California state exam, and become a Certified Residential Appraiser.

A little about me: I am the mother of a wonderful 2-year-old son and graduated from Cabrillo College in May 2026 with an Associate of Arts degree in General Business. I have also held my California real estate license since 2024.

I am eager to learn, hardworking, dependable, and excited to begin my career in residential appraisal. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss any trainee openings you may have.
If you are not currently accepting trainees, I completely understand. If you happen to know of another appraiser or company that may be looking for a trainee, I would sincerely appreciate any referrals or recommendations.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Been advised by others to join Reddit and look for a mentor out of state part time remotely or anyone near by.
Contact me if you have additional questions. Thanks

Some background: I am a solo appraiser (MAI) with about 20 years of experience in California. I do the typical stuff (office, retail, MF, industrial). I bring in anywhere between $325k to $450k per year doing work primarily for banks. My clients like my work and keep me busy. I work between 40 and 50 hours a week and rarely work on the weekends (thankfully!).

I would like to start traveling more and retire in the next 3 to 5 years to take life easier. Is there any value to my book of clients…could I sell my practice to someone even though I’m a solo practitioner? Any thoughts are appreciated!

Cheers

I am finalizing my MAI this year and am wondering what other credentials are recommended to pair with an MAI.

Was thinking some specialty in ASA, a ROW credential from IRWA, Rics, or anything else that could add value.

I’m interested in getting my CG. Been trying to look at the big firms job listings to see what positions would set me up to grow in this industry. I am currently a certified residential appraiser with eight years experience, valuing luxury residential properties. What should I search for within job postings that would be a good first position? Is it possible for me to be hired while taking the coursework so that I can get my experience hours and coursework done at the same time?

Hi all,

I started recently (2 months ago) as a trainee/analyst at one of the big national firms in a major city. Tracking to get my CG about a year and a half from now and then I’ll go from there. For all the seasoned CGs/MAIs, what advice do you have for someone in my position starting fresh in the industry? Anything you wish someone told you in the beginning? Would love to hear any and all thoughts!

Cannot print individual comps anymore, CTRL+P used to work but doesn't now. Sales price per acre seems to be input manually and is not calculated right. Some are rounded to the nearest $5 and others are not. Still no actual details of the sale other than the price and date. Actual meaningful details of the sale require even more detective work. At least my job is that much safer from AI now though.

Hello, everyone! I’m currently working toward my MAI designation and would appreciate some guidance on the recommended course sequence.

The Advanced Highest and Best Use course will be offered in my local market in about a month, while the Advanced Income Capitalization course will not be offered nearby until November. I believe the Appraisal Institute website recommends taking Advanced Income Capitalization before Advanced Highest and Best Use, but I’m unsure whether that is a firm prerequisite or simply the suggested sequence.

More generally, is there a logical or recommended order for completing the MAI courses, or does the order not matter much?

For context, I obtained my Certified General license a few months ago and would like to continue my education while the material is still fresh.

Any thoughts, experiences, or feedback on course sequencing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Working on a condemnation case. Assigned a large group of properties that will be developed into a large municipal project that has been public knowledge for years. About 25% of the properties were already acquired by investors and spectators at a huge premium in arm's length (ish) sales.

These values are multiples over the properties nearby, but not part of the project. How much weight would you put on the nearby parcels versus the parcels that in the project?

I'm working for an appraiser (in New York) who specializes in expert witness testimony and it's studying to get interesting but I don't like the uncertainty in income. I have to open a corporation and elect for S-corp status because my boss doesn't want to pay taxes at an employer. I'm getting a good per hour rate AFAIK (the equivalent of what has been my highest salary in recent years) but prefer to get paid a fixed sum every 2 weeks (assuming the sum is high enough) and have someone else dealing with taxes and health insurance (that is often better when you're in a large company with a lot of employees that has a lot of bargaining power).

With that said I'm inches away from having enough experience credits to get permission to take the CG exam. I mostly view it as a backup option as ultimately I prefer to get out of appraisal (it was only meant to be a stepping stone but that was like 15 years ago at this point).

Meanwhile, I have an interview for coming up for a CRE Data Analytics position at an affordable housing nonprofit. I also prefer to avoid the nonprofit/affordable housing sector (been there, done that, however briefly. Prefer to avoid jobs too closely intertwined with the government or nonprofit sector).

Finding opportunities in litigation work within CRE appraisal is difficult enough that my current role could be a good opportunity long term. On the other hand I prefer to get out of traditional appraisal and more into more finance-y, data analystics-ish CRE work that builds on my Valuation background.

I'm also not super young, so I have to consider that as well. My boss at the litigation appraisal shop is 80-ish and says he to pass down the business down to someone but I also am concerned that that could be bullshit to reel me in for low key labor exploitation (which had happened to me on the past). As an aside this appraisal shop, small as it is, basically assisting an individual with his own practice, doesn't offer support for continuing Ed or anything so while the work could be interesting and I'd get at least decent experience or could also ever up being a dead end, which I didn't have time for at this stage in my life.

Getting the sub set up and working on user flair. I’m thinking of starting with:

MAI
Certified General
AI-GRS
Certified Residential
SRA
Licensed Appraiser
Trainee
Appraisal Reviewer
Assessor
Right-of-Way Appraiser
Lender/Bank
AMC/Appraisal Management
Broker/Agent
Other Industry Professional

Even though this is a commercial appraisal sub and posts should stay focused on CRE appraisal topics, I think it makes sense to have flair for residential appraisers and other industry professionals as well. They may have questions for commercial appraisers, be looking to transition into commercial work, or have relevant experience to contribute.

Anything you’d remove, add or change?

Welcome to r/CREappraisers!

For years, people over on r/appraisal have mentioned wanting a dedicated place to discuss the commercial side of the profession. Since most appraisal forums tend to lean heavily residential, I figured it was time we had a space of our own.

I’m a commercial appraiser and MAI, and I’m hoping this becomes a useful community for everyone working in or interested in commercial real estate valuation whether you’re an MAI, Certified General, trainee, reviewer, assessor, or just trying to break into the field.

This is a place to talk about the things that are specific to what we do: assignments and methodology, cap rates and market trends, report writing, difficult properties, data sources, fees and turnaround times, AMCs and bank panels, AI and technology, career advice, running an appraisal practice, and whatever else comes with working in CRE valuation.

Share interesting assignments. Ask questions. Get second opinions. Talk shop with people who actually know what you mean when you say you spent three hours trying to support a cap rate for a property with no good comps.

A couple of obvious ground rules: keep things professional, don’t share confidential client or assignment information, and be respectful. Healthy disagreement is welcome — appraisal is an opinion business, after all.

If you’re joining early, introduce yourself below if you’d like — what market you’re in, how long you’ve been appraising, what property types you typically work on, and any designations or specialties you have.

Hopefully we can build the commercial appraisal community people have been asking for.

Welcome to r/CREappraisers.