A career as Assessors of Real Estate is one of the best job options for those who wish to carve their career in the field of real estate. The responsibility of an assessor is to value property for various purposes such as evaluate property tax, ensure ample security for mortgages, ensure or help to set a good sales price, settle an estate, help in divorce settlement, etc.
Job Description
An assessor often specializes in assessing or appraising a particular type of real estate such as commercial properties or residential buildings. Nonetheless, he/she should be called on to etimate the value of properties in vicinity for property tax purposes. The valuation of all forms of real properties is executed using similar methods irrespective of the kind of property or who hires the assessor.
An assessor works in areas he/she is familiar with and they must possess the knowledge of environmental or other related areas that may affect the property value. These assessors note down the exclusive characteristics of the property along with surrounding areas such as main highway located next to the parcel or a definite architectural style of a building. They also consider additional elements of a property such as roof of a building, renovations, condition of a foundation, etc.
These assessors may take photographs to document a particular room or aspects of the exterior of a building. After examining the property, an assessor estimates the value of the property by considering things like lease records, comparable home sales, view, location, income potential, previous appraisals, etc.
An assessor writes complete reports based on his/her observation and research, precise reasoning, value of the parcel, methodology, etc. An assessor has to be good at using computer and internet. This innovative technology facilitates assessor to access data and create some reports onsite.
The emergence of computer technology has made the task of assessors easier. The electronic map is one of the inventions that help assessors to execute their work with no difficulty. The assessors use this map to attain the appropriate standpoint of buildings and properties. Assessors use digital photographs to document the virtual appearance of a land or building at the time of appraisal.
Assessors have clients to focus on assessing one property at a time. They mostly work on a client-to-client basis and make evaluation for various reasons.
Work Environment
Assessors spend their time in writing and researching reports. However, the emergence of computer technologies like wireless internet has lessened work time. As a result, assessors execute their everyday task within given time. Sometimes, assessors work from home on internet. With the help of internet, they can be in contact with management.
Assessors send their time either in the office or on-site as it depends on their specialized area. For instance, residential assessors tend to spend less time in office. On the contrary, commercial assessors spend much time in the office. The commercial assessors also spend much time in writing reports and analyzing documents.
Assessors working for private institutions usually spend most of his/her time in the office and visit sites when required. Assessors who work independently tend to work over forty hours a week besides weekends and working evening. On the other hand, privately employed assessors usually work a standard forty hours a week. Sporadically, they work on Saturday to interact with a concerned taxpayer.
The private institutions such as mortgage broker office and banks may hire many assessors for one office. The size of the office employing assessors relies upon the size of local government. In some of the states, municipalities make assessments while in other states assessments are made by counties. Thus, an office of the county assessor hires more assessors than a small town.
Work Activities
An assessor has to deal with the following activities
Employment Opportunities
There is increasing number of employment for skilled professionals in the field of real estate markets. Candidates need to have ample experience in the field of real estate markets to become successful assessors. The cyclic nature of the real estate market shall have a direct effect on the career prospect, especially, those who assess residential properties.
Finally, a career as assessor of real estate is rewarding career option for those who are willing to get into the field of real estate.