Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute

The Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute has been home to some of the appraisal profession's leading practitioners, educators and authors since its founding in 1933. Members currently number over 1,200, residing or practicing within the Chapter's boundaries which stretch from the north Santa Barbara County line to the south Orange County line, and from the Los Angeles County to the Arizona/Nevada borders.

Members exhibit a higher level of competence than required of appraisers who are solely licensed or certified with the State of California, and commit to a higher code of ethics.

Disciplines and specialties are represented by all types of commercial, investment and residential properties no matter how complex or how small. The Chapter maintains an endowed scholarship fund, and assists promising students majoring in real estate fields at some of the area's leading colleges and universities. Contact a member of the Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute for all your real property valuation and consulting needs.

Considering a career in Real Estate? Real Estate is a major and pivotal facet of our economy. Whenever real estate is sold, mortgaged, taxed, insured or developed, an appraisal is an essential component of any transaction. Without a knowledgeable and trustworthy appraisal, a real estate transaction will fall apart at the seams. Real estate appraisers are problem solvers. Just like putting together a puzzle, they arrange hundreds of facts, statistics, market data and property characteristics to show their clients - and other related parties such as banks and mortgage companies - what the picture looks like. In essence, the real estate appraiser puts a dollar value to every piece in the puzzle and can sum up what it's all worth when the picture is complete.

No matter where you hang your hat - whether it be a city, country, or suburb - real estate appraisal is a unique career choice that can fit into anyone's lifestyle, pace and expectations. One can let his or her location and market dictate the types of real estate property to appraise, such as single-family homes, commercial properties, shopping malls and farms, or one can explore the country and accept specialized appraisal assignments in different states, or even countries.

With thousands of properties exchanging hands each year, the opportunities for growth and diversity are endless. Everyone from Wall Street financiers to the neighbor next door needs to know the value of their property, ensuring that the appraisal industry is always open for business.