Enter A Secure Career As A Real Estate Appraiser

If we have learned nothing else in the past years with millions of people losing their jobs and careers that they once believed to be secure, it is that few careers truly can be depended upon for the long term anymore. Many industries have picked up and moved their facilities to other countries to take advantage of reduced labor costs while technology has made it possible for others to outsource jobs overseas that were once done in the U.S. To find a secure career that will always be in demand, it is necessary to choose one that is impossible to be outsourced overseas and ideally one that can also provide self employment opportunities.

One career opportunity that fits all of these requirements for a lifetime of job security is to become a real estate appraiser. Whenever a residential, multi-family, or commercial property is sold, insured, mortgaged, or taxed the value of the property must be determined based on its location, its general condition, and the value of comparable surrounding properties in the current market. This is done by licensed real estate appraisers. It is a job for which there will always be a demand regardless of market conditions and one that cannot be outsourced to another country. Since an appraiser works independently to provide unbiased valuations of properties, most appraisers build up their own clientele of real estate agencies, mortgage lenders, and municipalities to ultimately become self employed.

To become a real estate appraiser in Illinois requires starting as an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser. This requires 75 hours of classroom coursework that includes 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice. After passing the Level A licensing exam, you can appraise permitted properties under the direct supervision of a Certified Residential Appraiser or Certified General Appraiser. You must take 28 hours of continuing education during each two year license renewal period.

Becoming a licensed Certified Residential Appraiser requires the completion of an additional 125 hours of state-approved coursework and a minimum of 24 months and 2,500 hours of experience as an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser. To qualify for an Illinois appraisal license you must also pass the state examination. As a Certified Residential Appraiser you can work without supervision and open your own company appraising single family homes and two to four income residential units. Additional coursework and appraisal experience is required to get a Certified General Appraiser license that qualifies you to appraise any type of property.