24M with a bachelor's degree in Real Estate and Supply Chain. PA licensed trainee in the Philly/Montco area with ~70% of my hours complete.
At the beginning of 2022, I started as a part time office admin for a residential appraiser while in college and ended up pursuing it full time after graduating based on the income potential and encouragement from my supervisor.
Fast forward to now after ~1 year working:
- $400 average fee, 40% split
- Grossed just over $100k in 2025
- 99% lender work (including FHA and VA), occasional private work (divorce/estate)
- Fieldwork every other day (e.g. MWF), report writing on in between days (e.g. TTS)
My supervisor runs a high volume operation. I've learned a lot, but I have some doubts regarding the quality standard he has set (he has a mantra of being a businessman first and an appraiser second). I don't think there is anything blatantly unethical. The comps we pick seem appropriate, adjustments seem reasonable and defensible, and I don't chase values, but the reports are dependent on boilerplate and speed. I’m concerned this may limit my long term competency and I want to be confident that I’m building a legitimate skillset and not just keeping up with volume, especially with changes like UAD 3.6 potentially reshaping the reporting process.
My supervisor is well past retirement age and he has recently mentioned the idea of retiring in the next couple years or so. I’ve considered talking with him about "taking over" the business by getting on the same AMC panels once I’m certified so there's some overlap before he retires, so I’m not starting from scratch, but I am open to starting my own business if it makes more sense.
At this point, I'm trying to decide the best path forward:
- Stay in residential - continue with high volume similar to him or shift to lower volume with less people involved?
- Pivot into commercial? (I had a professor who is an MAI and I find the thought of commercial appraising very intriguing)
- Exit appraising entirely while I’m still early in my career?
My priorities are income potential and long term stability, as I want to be able to support a family, while also being confident in the quality of my work and proud of it.
For those further along in the field, what would you do?