An appraisal manager manages all assessments and valuations of properties in a company’s or government entity’s portfolio of holdings, as well as overseeing real estate business operations. Within the appraiser’s division, a person working in this field may also be in charge of administrative duties such as hiring, evaluating, and terminating employees. Appraisal managers are also responsible for drafting employee behavior protocols and establishing productivity benchmarks that must be met. The appraisal manager is also responsible for submitting budget reports for his or her department and ensuring that the department’s spending does not exceed the budgeted amount. Finally, a candidate for the position of appraisal manager must have relevant work experience and meet certain educational requirements.
Appraisals of commercial and residential real estate properties are part of the appraisal manager’s job description. Real estate appraisals call for the appraiser to estimate the value of a property based on the style of the building and the surrounding area, as well as school district information and the condition of things like roofs and foundations. Jobs as an appraisal manager may be available to individuals looking to buy or sell a home, as well as state and local governments evaluating a home’s value solely for tax purposes.
In terms of administration, an appraisal manager is in charge of a team of appraisers and assessors. This necessitates an appraisal manager reviewing potential hires’ credentials, conducting annual reviews of existing employees’ performance, and, if necessary, recommending the firing of certain employees to the human resources department. Appraisal managers also establish a set of rules for employees to follow regarding dress code, harassment, and other personal conduct issues.
Appraisal managers typically have some accounting experience. This is because, if the manager is part of a large business entity, the appraisal manager job description also requires a manager to review his or her department’s expenditures and submit a budget to the finance department. On the other hand, sole proprietors will need to be able to manage their own expenses.
A four-year degree is required for most appraisal manager positions, and some governments also require appraisers to be certified by governing boards or organizations. Managerial positions usually require five years of appraisal experience. Because appraisal managers frequently provide oral and written reports to clients or supervisors, this position also necessitates the ability to communicate effectively. The ability to set and achieve goals, as well as lead a team of people, improves a candidate’s chances of being hired. Finally, appraisal managers should be able to read government statutes and laws related to real estate to ensure that the properties they are evaluating are compliant; real estate that is not compliant with state or local laws frequently warrants a lower valuation and government intervention to ensure that the property complies with the proscribed laws.