What else do residential appraisers do?

Residential appraisers provide an unbiased estimate of a home or residential unit’s value, but they also do so much more: Help a seller establish an acceptable sales price, and a buyer establish a reasonable offering price. Estimate the value of a home for a potential refinance. Identify areas that could be improved to enhance a property's value before listing it for sale. Establish a starting point to combine the ownership of various properties under one owner. Provide expert testimony and valuation reports in legal cases involving divorces, property disputes, or eminent domain proceedings. Establish the value of residential properties for taxation and equitable distribution in estate planning. Provide evidence for a tax appeal for homeowners who believe their property has been overvalued for tax assessment purposes.

Residential Appraising

What does it mean to be a residential appraiser?

Residential appraisers provide an unbiased estimate of a home or residential unit’s value.

Read on to find answers to your questions about residential appraisers to see if it's a career that fits you! We are here to help you get started on your career journey with a clear path and guidance through licensing and certification.

Residential appraisers provide an unbiased estimate of a home or residential unit’s value, but they also do so much more:

Help a seller establish an acceptable sales price, and a buyer establish a reasonable offering price.
Estimate the value of a home for a potential refinance.
Identify areas that could be improved to enhance a property's value before listing it for sale.
Establish a starting point to combine the ownership of various properties under one owner.
Provide expert testimony and valuation reports in legal cases involving divorces, property disputes, or eminent domain proceedings.
Establish the value of residential properties for taxation and equitable distribution in estate planning.
Provide evidence for a tax appeal for homeowners who believe their property has been overvalued for tax assessment purposes.

You’ll need to hold a licensed or certified residential real property credential to become a residential appraiser.

Licensed Residential Real Property Appraisers appraise properties below a certain value and at a lower value cap for complex properties. Certified Residential Real Property Appraisers don’t have value or complexity limitations for residential appraisals on homes with up to four units.

Each state has different requirements for becoming certified or licensed, including qualifying education, experience requirements and exams. Certification requires more education and experience. To work toward either license, you’ll first complete introductory courses then check with your state regulatory board on specific requirements.

Don’t worry! We’ve outlined the path for you. If you choose either residential license type, we offer qualifying education courses and have fully mapped out your path to licensing and certification.

I Want to Become a Residential Real Estate Appraiser

Resources for Residential Appraisers

Whether it’s expanding your knowledge of residential appraising, keeping a pulse on the latest residential issues or providing ways for you to expand your practice, AI offers key resources to help you succeed.

Valuation Magazine

Valuation Magazine is a quarterly publication that addresses today’s most pressing appraisal, legal, legislative, and business concerns.

AI Professionals receive complimentary printed copies.

Face Value Podcast

Don’t miss out on appraisal news you won’t find anywhere else!

Join hosts Warren Boizot, SRA, AI-RRS, and Tonia Vailas, MAI, AI-GRS, each month as they share experiences, insights and stories about the latest trends in the valuation profession.

Listen to the Latest Episode

Guide Notes

How do Standards of Professional Practice requirements apply to hazardous substances? Valuation in the aftermath of a disaster? Comparable selection in a declining market?

Our Guide Notes address these situations and more.

Explore Residential Education

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Education Types

Begin Your Career

Become a trainee by completing 75 hours of qualifying education (Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, USPAP 15-Hour Course) and the Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser Course.

Elevate your career

Advanced-level topics that cover complex appraisal issues.

Upgrade your career

Complete additional qualifying education course to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser, Certified Residential Appraiser, and/or Certified General Appraiser.

Continuing education

Enrich your industry knowledge, stay on top of industry trends, and fulfill your state continuing education requirements.

Online package

USPAP Education

Required qualifying and continuing education courses covering basic appraisal rules for ethical behavior and competent performance.

Professional Development Program

AI professional development programs tackle cutting-edge, problematic, or advanced-level topics, allowing you to better understand a particular property type or specialty area.

Additional Resources

We've cultivated sample agreements, certification statements, report formats and more, all designed to make your job easier.

AI Reports®

Developed by appraisers for appraisers, AI Reports® include various report formats designed to ensure all required elements are included and can be easily read by your clients.

View AI Reports®

Advocacy

We have a seat at the table in Washington, D.C., making sure your concerns are heard by lawmakers and regulators.

Our Washington office also allows us to keep you updated on key issues being discussed on The Hill and how they affect you.

Sample Engagement Contracts

Set the foundation for a successful engagement by clearly outlining the details of the assignment(s).

Create an effective engagement contract using AI’s sample contracts as a guide. Exclusively available to AI Professionals, they were developed by practicing appraisers and reviewed by outside counsel.

View Sample Contracts

Sample Certification Statements

As an AI Professional, you have access to sample certification statements for written appraisal, appraisal review and appraisal consulting service reports.

These statements incorporate the requirements of the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice (USPAP) and the Certification Standard Rules of the Appraisal Institute and can serve as a guide to help you confidently craft your own statements.

See Certification Statements

Find an Appraiser

Extend your reach! A listing in the Find an Appraiser directory connects you directly to clients, enhancing your earning potential.

Join AI as a Designated Member, Candidate for Designation or Practicing Affiliate, to be listed in this critical resource.

View the Find An Appraiser Directory

Our Career Center

Ready for a change? Our Career Center is updated daily with the latest job postings. Search listings in your area and create specialized job alerts.

Don’t forget to post your resume! Employers rely on our robust pool of applicants to find the ideal candidates.

Visit the Career Center

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Benefits of Affiliation

Wherever you are in your career, we are here to support you.

We strive to provide the community, credentialing, education and knowledge you need to thrive in your current role and aim higher.

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