Certified General Appraiser

A Certified General Appraiser is a professional authorized to appraise any property type under state certification laws, ensuring compliance with the Appraisal Foundation's standards.

Relevant Terms:

APPRAISAL FOUNDATION: An organization dedicated to the professional valuation of real property, which establishes and ensures the adoption of standards of professional practice.

UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE (USPAP): A set of quality control standards applicable for real estate appraisals, mandated by the Appraisal Foundation.


Certification Requirements

To become a Certified General Appraiser, one must meet rigorous educational and experience requirements:

  1. Education:

    • 300 classroom hours of pre-certification education covering topics including the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
    • A bachelor’s degree or higher.
  2. Experience:

    • 3000 hours of appraisal experience accrued over a minimum duration of 30 months.
    • At least 1500 hours of experience must be in non-residential appraisal work.

Examples

  • Jim Weaver: After completing 300 hours of classroom education, obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and accruing over 3000 hours of appraisal experience, with an emphasis on non-residential properties, Jim Weaver met the strict requirements to become a Certified General Appraiser in his state. He is now qualified to appraise various properties, including those tied to federal agencies like the FDIC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What type of properties can a Certified General Appraiser appraise? A1: A Certified General Appraiser can appraise any type of property, from residential to commercial, including those tied to federal agencies.

Q2: How long does it typically take to become a Certified General Appraiser? A2: The process can vary but generally takes a minimum of 30 months to gather the required 3000 hours of appraisal experience, in addition to completing 300 hours of pre-certification education and obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Q3: What is USPAP and why is it important? A3: USPAP stands for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. It sets the quality control standards for all real estate appraisals in the USA, ensuring consistency, credibility, and legal compliance.


  • Certified Residential Appraiser: A professional qualified to appraise residential properties only, mandated to follow guidelines similar to the general appraiser but limited in scope.

  • Appraisal Management Company (AMC): A firm that administers a network of independent appraisers to perform real estate valuation assignments.

  • Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): An analysis of the estimated value of a property based on the sale prices of similar properties in the area.

Online Resources

References

  • The Appraisal Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Appraisal Foundation
  • Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. (n.d.). Retrieved from USPAP
  • State Appraisal Regulatory Agencies. (n.d.). Your state’s real estate commission or appraisal board.

Suggested Books for Further Study

  1. The Appraisal of Real Estate by Appraisal Institute
  2. Real Estate Valuation Guide by IRS
  3. USPAP Manual by The Appraisal Foundation
  4. Fundamentals of Real Estate Appraisal by William L. Ventolo and Martha R. Williams

Real Estate Basics: Certified General Appraiser Fundamentals Quiz

### What is the degree requirement to become a Certified General Appraiser? - [ ] An associate's degree - [x] A bachelor's degree or higher - [ ] A high school diploma - [ ] No degree required > **Explanation:** To attain certification as a general appraiser, one must possess at least a bachelor's degree. ### How many hours of classroom education are required for a Certified General Appraiser? - [x] 300 hours - [ ] 150 hours - [ ] 200 hours - [ ] 500 hours > **Explanation:** A Certified General Appraiser needs to complete 300 classroom hours of pre-certification education. ### What is the minimum number of appraisal experience hours required? - [ ] 1000 hours - [ ] 2000 hours - [ ] 2500 hours - [x] 3000 hours > **Explanation:** The minimum requirement is 3000 hours of appraisal experience to become certified. ### Of the 3000 hours of experience, how many must be in non-residential appraisal work? - [ ] 500 hours - [ ] 1000 hours - [x] 1500 hours - [ ] 2500 hours > **Explanation:** At least 1500 of the 3000 hours must be completed in non-residential appraisal work. ### What standards must a Certified General Appraiser's training cover? - [ ] Federal Real Estate Principles - [ ] Local Real Estate Practices - [x] Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) - [ ] National Building Code > **Explanation:** Training must cover the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). ### Over what minimum duration must the 3000 hours of experience be achieved? - [x] 30 months - [ ] 18 months - [ ] 24 months - [ ] 36 months > **Explanation:** The experience must be achieved over no fewer than 30 months. ### Can a Certified General Appraiser appraise properties involving federal government agencies? - [x] Yes - [ ] No > **Explanation:** They can appraise properties involving federal government agencies such as the FDIC, providing they meet certification requirements. ### Does USPAP apply to all professions in real estate? - [ ] Yes, it applies to all professions - [x] No, it applies primarily to appraisers - [ ] Yes, but only in commercial real estate - [ ] No, only to real estate agents > **Explanation:** USPAP primarily applies to appraisers ensuring systematic, professional appraisals. ### Who typically governs the certification of appraisers in the United States? - [ ] The Federal Government - [ ] Local municipalities - [x] State Appraisal Regulatory Agencies - [ ] Real estate agencies > **Explanation:** State Appraisal Regulatory Agencies typically govern the certification of appraisers. ### Do all appraisers need to know USPAP? - [x] Yes, all need to follow the Uniform Standards - [ ] No, only Certified General Appraisers - [ ] Only those in commercial appraisal - [ ] No, only real estate agents > **Explanation:** All appraisers need to be familiar with and follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

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Sunday, August 4, 2024

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