Valuer and Appraiser
Job overview
Valuers determine the monetary value of property, merchandise, business assets and various kinds of goods, such as works of art, precious stones, motor vehicles and personal and household effects.
What do people do in this occupation?
While anyone can hazard an opinion about the value of something, - say a residential property - very few people are able to assess its relative worth.
It is usually only properly trained people who can gather all the relevant facts, analyse them correctly and then, by relating the correct and the comparable facts to the property, express a reliable opinion on which a client can act with confidence.
Some of the purposes for which valuations are required are to:-?
It is obvious that in every instance the good judgment of valuers is of cardinal importance to the parties concerned, because very large sums of money may be at stake.
The exact nature of valuers?' ?work depends upon the organisation by which they are employed, such as building societies, financial institutions, insurance companies, government departments, local authorities or private practices.
The working conditions of valuers can vary widely from day to day, depending on the type of valuation they are required to do.
Some valuers may spend the majority of their days in an office,? ?whereas colleagues may devote most of their time out of doors, inspecting properties.
However, valuers can never be entirely office bound, because no valuation can be made without a physical inspection of the property and comparable properties.
Whatever field valuers may choose, they can expect to travel extensively.
What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Valuers must be able to think clearly and logically when gathering, co-ordinating and analysing information, facts and figures.
This they should do correctly and impartially and, in the same way, they must convey information precisely and accurately.
They should also have a technical inclination.
Most important of all is that valuers must possess unquestionable integrity and be able to keep the business of clients and sources of information confidential.
What qualifications are necessary?
Mathematical expertise is essential, usually at university degree level.
The ability to handle statistics is an added advantage.
