The percentage of appraisers with a state certification is at an all-time high, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers announced. With more than half of U.S. appraisers aged 51 to 65, the Appraisal Institute anticipates opportunities for new appraisers.

The Appraisal Institute has analyzed the Appraisal Subcommittee National Registry data since 2006 using a consistent methodology, and the long-term trend is clear: 

• The number of appraisers continues to decrease at a rate of about 3 percent per year;
• The appraiser population could decrease 25 to 35 percent over the next 10 years due to age attrition and fewer new entrants.

“In spite of a higher level of appraiser qualifications overall, the lack of career prospects for trainees and fewer new people entering the profession are legitimate and serious issues, yet opportunities do exist to reach the next generation and employment options will, in fact, likely be enhanced in the coming years,” said Appraisal Institute President Richard Borges II, MAI, SRA.

Broader analysis suggests this is primarily due to:

• A sharp and long-term decline in the number of new people entering the field; 
• A high rate of future retirements due to the high mean age of appraisers; 
• Individuals leaving the profession due to challenging business conditions; 
• Increasing government regulation;
• Wider use of alternative valuation technologies displacing some appraisers (especially in the residential sector); and
• A potential oversupply of residential appraisers. (Nearly 70 percent of all appraisers focus primarily on residential appraisals.)

While the overall number of appraisers is decreasing, the number of certified general and residential appraisers is on the upswing.

The analysis shows there were nearly 6,000 more certified general and residential appraisers on Dec. 31, 2012, than there were at year-end 2006. For the same period, there was a decline of nearly 16,000 licensed appraisers. About a third of the decline is because appraisers achieved certified status. A large majority of appraisers who left the profession in the past three years were licensed-only appraisers who were either relatively new to the profession or did not pursue certification. 

The proportion of certified appraisers to total appraisers was 72 percent at year-end 2006. As of year-end 2012, the proportion was 87 percent; therefore, the proportion of appraisers with a certification is higher than it has ever been. While the total number of appraisers has decreased 15 percent since 2007, the data indicates that the appraiser population is more qualified overall.

Commercial, non-traditional (non-point-in-time) valuations appear to be a growth opportunity for individuals with advanced analytical, financial and mathematical skills, Borges said. He said that key growth markets might be working with accountants, financial analysts, investors and others on real estate portfolio management/analysis, purchase, lease and investment packaging. He also noted that additional areas of real estate valuation – right of way, conservation easement, taxation issues and litigation support (expert witness testimony) – could provide opportunities for professionals looking to enter the valuation profession.