Real estate appraisal booms as career option

by Melissa Wilson

SBJ Staff

Steve Jackson, the 48th appraiser to be licensed in the state of Missouri, began his career in commercial appraising by shadowing his grandfather, Bob Harrison.

Harrison founded Realty Mortgage & Appraisal Inc., 1740-R S. Glenstone, in 1966 after a career in mortgage banking. Jackson took over the business from Harrison in 1990.

Jackson said the best way to begin a career in appraising is to shadow an appraiser like he did.

"The main thing, I think, is to get a good educational background, and then find somebody good to do your apprenticeship under," Jackson said.

Jackson attended the University of Colorado's Appraisal Institute.

"The Appraisal Institute had actual appraisers people out there doing it for a living teaching the courses. They can relate things to real life, and it wasn't like they were just reading out of a book," Jackson said.

Jackson said because every property is unique, classroom work does not always prepare appraisers for what they may have to deal with in the field.

Jackson said appraising has become an increasingly popular career choice in Springfield since he took over Realty Mortgage & Appraisal in 1990.

"I started working here in high school in 1977. Back then, there were probably five commercial appraisers in town and also just a handful of residential[[In-content Ad]]