MORE ON MY APPRAISAL EXPERIENCE
More on my appraisal experience.
This page is devoted to a little more in-depth description of my appraisal experience. I began appraising in Los Angeles County in 1985, prior to licensing. My initial work was for 2 hard money lenders, Zenith Home Loan and Westworld Financial. I worked under an ASA designated appraiser who was also on the FHA panel.
Appraisal assignments were wide and varied. Zenith loaned on all types of properties throughout Southern California. My worked involved many single-family residences throughout Southern California. I appraised in many geographic areas: San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, South Central LA, Beach Cities, and throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. I did almost all the appraisals in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties at this time. For the main reason that my supervisor didn’t like the long drives.
Due to the nature of the hard money business, I also did numerous appraisals in the south central Los Angeles area. Both single family and small residential properties. I learned how to appraise small income properties especially in a rent control environment.
I also became involved in some commercial properties at this time. I got a basic understanding of cap rates and appraising properties like churches. I wrote narrative reports for both commercial and vacant land appraisals. However, I decided I like residential properties better and decided to concentrate in that area. .
Also at this time the Century Freeway was under construction. Many of the apartment building were being moved from one location to another. In fact, Westworld Financial specialized in doing move-on properties. I added this skill under my belt.
While not exactly appraisal experience, I tried my hand at selling real estate. I received an excellent education this way,one that many appraisers lack. I sold real estate off and on for about 5 years. I became familiar with the San Gabriel Valley. I sold homes in Arcadia, El Monte, El Sereno, West Covina, Whittier, and Glendora. I learned about negotiating and what goes on in a real estate office.
In 1992 when appraisal licensing came into effect, I decided to move to beautiful southern Oregon. I became licensed as an appraiser and spent the next 12 years doing appraisals there.
I became an office manager at Affiliated Appraisers. I managed both their Roseburg and Portland offices. Major clients included Lenders Service (LSI), ATM corporation, and mortgages companies. At this time I began appraising rural properties throughout Southern Oregon. Everywhere from Ashland Oregon in the south to Mollala in the north, and everywhere in-between. Jackson County, Josephine County and Douglas County were my main territories.
I also learned to appraise manufactured homes at this time. I learned the difference between a Redman home and a high quality Silvercrest. I found out that a Fleetwood Waverlycrest is not the same as a low quality Champion. I learned how to appraise River Front properties (guess what ? no rivers in Los Angeles!!).
I started my own fee appraisal business in Merlin Oregon at this time. Clients included LSI (the largest provider of appraisal services in the world), ATM, Service Link, Charter Financial, Wachovia, Ditech, and Countrywide Home loans.
In 2004 (for personal family reasons) I returned to Southern California. I have been doing appraisals in the Inland Empire since then. My experience doing rural properties and manufactured homes serves me well in this area. Occasionally, I go to Los Angeles for an income property or to appraise a home.
Well, there you have it One thing for sure. I have seen a lot of different real estate in a lot of different areas.
All the best
