Appraiser

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Analyze market conditions or trends.
• Gather financial records.
• Verify accuracy of records.
• Verify application data to determine program eligibility.
• Examine financial records.
• Inform individuals or organizations of status or findings.
• Analyze business or financial data.
• Analyze market conditions or trends.
• Calculate data to inform organizational operations.
• Maintain data in information systems or databases.

Typical Working Conditions:

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Dealing with external customers.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Sitting.

Tools & Technology used by Appraisers

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Appraisers

• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Mathematics—Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Appraisers

• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Law and Government—Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Geography—Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
• Building and Construction—Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• Enterprising—Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is high growth compared to other careers. There will be a need for about 1,621 new Real Estate Appraisers and Assessors to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: ONet Online

This career requires at least a bachelors degree, as well as basic appraiser education classes. This career does require licenses (MN Board of Assessors and MN Dept of Commerce).

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Business Computer Applications
• Business Law
• Cultural/Ethnic Studies
• Economics
• Geography
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Project Management
• Public Speaking
• Technical Writing
• U.S. Government
• World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise