How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser: 2026 Career Guide

Real estate appraisers provide estimates of property value as an unbiased third party. An accurate dollar amount representing a property's value is essential for various purposes, such as tax assessments and mortgage lending. At a glance, here's what you need to know about real estate appraisers:

• According to the US BLS, real estate appraisers earn a median salary of $65,420 as of May 2024 [1].

• When determining the value, appraisers consider various factors that ultimately determine an accurate building and land appraisal.

• Before becoming a real estate appraiser, you must complete specific coursework and pass an exam to gain licensure.

This could be an excellent career if you're interested in a job with flexible hours and a work environment that includes plenty of time outside the office. Below, you'll learn more about real estate appraisers, including what they do, key skills, and how to become one. Afterward, if you want to learn more about real estate, consider enrolling in the Keller Williams Real Estate Agent Professional Certificate.

What is a real estate appraiser?

A real estate appraiser is a licensed professional who evaluates a property and determines its value. As an appraiser, you will typically perform appraisals before a property is mortgaged, sold, taxed, insured, and more. The specific license and education requirements you need to work as an appraiser vary from state to state. You’ll need to research the qualifications required for the state you want to work in to ensure you meet them. However, the federal government has its minimum requirements as well.

Along with the specific details of a property, such as size and amenities, a real estate appraiser will also consider the overall state of the market when determining a fair, objective dollar amount.

Real estate appraiser vs. real estate agent: What’s the difference?

Real estate appraisers and real estate agents both work in the home-buying and selling process, though their roles have different functions. An appraiser’s job is to assess the value of a home, while an agent’s primary job is to help you sell or buy a home. During the buying and selling process, you’ll work with an agent to find your next home and work with an appraiser to determine if you’re getting the best deal for that home.

Real estate appraiser duties

Determining a home or property's value requires an on-site evaluation and off-site responsibilities, where real estate appraisers consider other important factors that impact property value. Here’s a look at typical duties you will perform as a real estate appraiser:

• Conducting property inspections: Inspecting properties involves taking notes, measurements, and photographs of the various rooms throughout the property. This allows you to consider all aspects that can impact value, such as specific amenities, unique features, and the overall condition of the interior and exterior. During this process, you will also look for potential violations of local regulations, including health and safety codes.

• Collecting and analyzing data: Comparing the property you are appraising with other comparable properties ensures an accurate appraisal considering the market's state. To make reasonable comparisons, appraisers research and collect data on properties with similar features that have been sold or listed, as well as verify that public records correctly describe the details of a property.

• Writing reports: After determining the value of a property, written reports detail the findings that led to the estimated valuation, such as the quality and condition of a building, as well as the location and state of the local real estate market. A well-written, fair report helps ensure mortgage lenders offer appropriate loans. For home buyers, having an accurate property valuation may assist in negotiating a lower purchase price.

Skills that benefit a real estate appraiser

To succeed as a real estate appraiser, you should equip yourself with numerous technical and workplace skills. These are some valuable skills for appraising properties:

• Analytical skills: The ability to research, collect, and compare data allows you to develop accurate appraisals that consider all important factors and property features, such as comparisons with similar properties.

• Communication skills: Strong writing and verbal communication skills are critical when building appraisal reports and explaining valuations to clients.

• Math skills: Property value often depends on measurable factors such as square footage, so math skills help calculate all the relevant data.

• Organizational skills: With all the different property appraisals and data collecting real estate appraisers perform, you should have the skills to organize and manage various records and documents.

• Customer service skills: Listening to clients to understand their concerns and being pleasant to interact with helps gain repeat business and client referrals.

Real estate appraiser salary and job outlook

Real estate appraisers earn a competitive salary and are expected to see average job growth over the coming years.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), real estate appraisers earn an annual salary of $65,420 as of May 2024. Between 2024 and 2034, the US BLS projects that real estate appraisers will experience 4 percent job growth, representing average growth compared to all other jobs in the country [1].

Read more: Real Estate Appraiser Salary Guide

How to become a real estate appraiser

The Appraisals Qualifications Board determines the minimum requirements for becoming an appraiser in the United States. Additionally, each state sets its criteria, which can require the completion of coursework beyond the requirements of the Appraisal Qualifications Board.

1. Complete the required education.

Trainees and licensed residential appraisers don’t have specific degree requirements in every state. In some cases, you must first complete just 30 credit hours of relevant coursework. However, certified general and residential appraisers will always require obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Typical bachelor’s degrees for real estate appraisers include business, real estate, and finance.

How long does it take to become a real estate appraiser?

The time for becoming a real estate appraiser varies from state to state, depending on their specific requirements. Typically, states require some type of education or experience before becoming an appraiser, beginning with at least 75 hours of relevant education.

2. Gain work experience.

Before gaining full certification, you must gain experience as a trainee appraiser, including specific coursework from the Appraisal Qualifications Board and state requirements. As a trainee, you’re required to complete roughly 1,000 hours of experience over six or more months with a supervisory appraiser [2].

3. Get licensed and certified

After meeting education and experience requirements nationally and within your state, you can register for the licensing exam, covering topics from your required coursework. All real estate appraisers must pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. To become a certified general or residential appraiser, you must complete an additional exam. After submitting your application to your state's licensing board, you can qualify to work as a licensed appraiser.

Who hires real estate appraisers?

Real estate appraisers typically specialize in residential or commercial real estate. Buyers, lenders, and sellers can all hire an appraiser. Although they act as an unbiased third party, certain benefits or advantages exist from hiring an appraiser.

For example, someone looking to purchase a home can hire an appraiser to offer more in-depth information about the housing market. Banks also hire real estate appraisers in situations like refinancing a property to ensure an accurate, up-to-date valuation. Real estate appraisers work for appraisal firms and agencies of varying sizes, as well as for banks or independently.

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Real estate appraisers need to possess knowledge of real estate, math, and analysis, among other things. Start building job-relevant skills today. With Coursera Plus, you can learn and earn credentials at your own pace from over 350 leading companies and universities. With a monthly or annual subscription, you’ll gain access to over 10,000 programs—just check the course page to confirm your selection is included.  

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