Real Estate Appraiser

Alternate Titles: Real Estate Appraiser, Appraiser, Staff Appraiser, Certified Real Estate Appraiser, Residential Real Estate Appraiser, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, Engagement Director, Residential Fee Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, Real Property Appraiser

Real Estate Appraisers appraise real property to determine its value for purchase, sales, investment, mortgage, or loan purposes.  They prepare written reports that estimate property values, outline methods by which the estimations were made, and meet appraisal standards.  They also compute final estimation of property values, taking into account such factors as depreciation, replacement costs, value comparisons of similar properties, and income potential.

Real Estate Appraisers search public records for transactions such as sales, leases, and assessments.   They inspect properties to evaluate construction, condition, special features, and functional design, and to take property measurements.

They photograph interiors and exteriors of properties to assist in estimating property value, substantiate findings, and complete appraisal reports.  Real Estate Appraisers also evaluate land and neighborhoods where properties are situated, considering locations and trends or impending changes that could influence future values.  They obtain county land values and sales information about nearby properties to aid in establishment of property values.

Other responsibilities include verifying legal descriptions of properties by comparing them to county records, checking building codes and zoning bylaws to determine any effects on the properties being appraised, and estimating building replacement costs using building valuation manuals and professional cost estimators.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, O-Net Online