What should I study to become a real estate property appraiser or home inspector? (inspectors, states)

[ejreichert]

What should I study to become a real estate property appraiser or home inspector?

Im 21 years old from Maine. I have 1 semester of Business Administration under my belt from Southern Maine Community College back in the Fall of 2006. Now, I think Im realizing that I would like a career involving some aspect of real estate . After doing some research, I think I would be interested in starting my own business as a home inspector or real estate appraiser. I am looking into a real estate school up here, but i dont have any experience in contruction or any fields that could possibly benefit me with this. I would like to gain some general knowledge of some industry before just take some real estate courses and becommming certified and licensed. I was looking into attending SMCC's associate degree program in Architectural Engineering. After or while completing this program I would then attend a real estate school and get certified in one of the two and then attempt to start my own business in that field.?.? Does this sound logical ? I have no expereince in either or any of this. I have always worked retail at hardware stores. Is there something else I should be studying other than architectural engineering? What should I be studying? Should i just go to real estate school and forget the rest? Help please. I am unsure of what to do.
Thanks!

[Janecj]

You should know that becoming an appraiser or home inspector poses a lot of liability on you. Are you prepared for that? If you are inaccurate, you have a good chance of being in a court case. I know several people that decided a different route because of it. Look into it carefully, and I would talk to several people in the field first. Good luck in whatever you do.

[kensgirl]

The rules for licensing requirements for both appraisers and home inspectors vary by state, so I'd check your state's home web page to find out what is required to be licensed in both fields. I can't speak for requirements for all states, but the one's I've been in require appraisers to apprentice with a licensed appraiser for 1-2 years (or for 2-3000 hours) prior to being a fully licensed appraiser. I'd do some research before making any commitments to going to school. Good luck.

[Silverfall]

Check out your local state requirements. Home inspectors out here have to do so many hours with a licensed one, and I think appraisers are required to do 2000 or 2400 hours as an apprenticeship.

[Barking Spider]

Good advice from the others here. You really need to check out your own State for requirements.

I can help you with the home inspector end of your questions, since I have been a professional home inspector since 1989.

Send me a private message, let me know what State you are in, and I can give you some information. You can also go to Home Inspector at American Society of Home Inspectors: American Society Of Home Inspectors, ASHI, ASHI Home Inspection, ASHI Inspector for the American Society of Home Inspectors and get a huge amount of information on becoming a home inspector, also a lot about education.

I will be happy to give you more information and opinions about the industry (after all, I'm paid for my opinion every day). probably a lot more than you really want.