Comparing the 4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida for 2022

Interested in becoming an appraiser in Florida?

You’ve come to the right place!

In order to get started, you first need an appraiser trainee license. For that, you’re required to complete 100 hours of qualifying education (QE). 

100 hours?!?

Well, to make it more convenient, you can now take these real estate appraisal courses online! 

And today, we’re going to walk you through the 4 best real estate appraisal courses in Florida. 

We’ll mention both online and local schools. This way, you have the option to choose your learning style. 

So without further ado, let’s get to it! 

Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida

Here are the 4 best schools that offer real estate appraisal courses in Florida:

  • McKissock Learning

  • Gold Coast Professional Schools Inc.

  • Appraisal Institute (South Florida Chapter)

  • Sonia Galarza School of Real Estate and Appraisal

Let’s get into the details!

McKissock Learning

4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) McKissock4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) McKissock

McKissock has been around for over 30 years and is one of the top appraisal schools around the world. 

It offers every education that you need throughout your appraisal career —- pre-licensing, continuing education, and license upgrade. Plus, these courses are some of the highest quality programs you will find online. 

As for the course interface, it’s simple yet efficient. 

Once you log in to the platform, you can view whatever you need directly from your dashboard, whether it’s to access your courses, certificates, and profile, as well as the links to the learning hub, community, resources, and help pages. 

At the end of every chapter, there is a quiz to assess your understanding of the lessons. Upon completing all the lessons, you need to pass a final course exam before you receive your completion certificate. 

If you need help at any time, you can reach out to McKissock’s team by clicking the “Email Instructor” link available on your dashboard. The school is known for its excellent customer service, so rest assured you will receive immediate assistance. 

Course Options and Packages

If you want, you can purchase individual courses that range from around $210 to $500. 

However, for more value, McKissock offers three packages that satisfy the requirements for trainee appraisers in Florida, namely The Basics, Advanced Pro, and Unlimited Learning Subscription. 

The Basics package costs around $1,200 and includes only the 104-hour mandatory courses. 

The Advanced Pro bundle, priced at around $1,550, includes a weekly one-hour Q&A session with your instructor as well as printed textbooks. 

The Ultimate Learning Subscription package costs around $1,700, and it includes up to 300 hours of required licensing and upgrade courses. Plus, it gives you one year of unlimited access to premium professional development tools.   

McKissock’s appraisal courses are perhaps the most intuitive and thorough programs there are in the market. It is our most highly recommended online school for your real estate appraisal education needs.

4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) Gold Coast School4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) Gold Coast School

Gold Coast began in 1970 as a real estate school with only one location. In the 1990s, it expanded its operations and started offering additional courses including appraisal, construction, insurance, and community association management. 

In 2008, it adopted online education, servicing students not just in the US, but in other countries as well. 

Gold Coast’s platform is simple and easy to use. Just use the arrows to navigate through the course. And if you’re accessing it via your mobile phone, you just have to swipe forward and backward to move through the lessons. 

The only downside is some students might find Gold Coast’s lessons dry and boring. However, if you only care for the content, its appraisal courses are no doubt some of the best in Florida.  

Users say the courses are thorough and informative. The school makes sure to cover all the materials. Also, the lessons are clear, easy to understand, and digestible. 

Course Options and Packages

Gold Coast offers a trainee package, which costs around $1,290. It includes:

  • 15-hour USPAP

  • Basic Residential Principles, and Procedures

  • Florida Appraisal Law

  • Supervisor-Trainee national appraising course

You can also purchase them individually from around $80 to $400 each. 

Are you more interested in taking the courses in a classroom? Gold Coast offers in-person lessons, too. 

If so, this is their address: 5600 Hiatus Rd, Tamarac, FL 33321, United States

Many previous students commend the instructors for being professional and knowledgeable. They are also approachable and made sure the students understood the lessons well.   

Appraisal Institute (South Florida Chapter)

4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) Appraisal Institute4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida (2022) Appraisal Institute

The Appraisal Institute is the largest and one of the most reputable associations of professional appraisers in the country. 

It began in January 1991 as a result of the merging of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. To date, it has over 17,000 members with high designations in almost 50 countries worldwide. 

The Appraisal Institute’s members enjoy a multitude of perks including access to advocacy programs as well as close network connections and relationships. Members also get discounts from industry partners and on AI’s education packages. 

Note: you do not need to be a member to avail of their courses.

One thing you should know is that they have a strict policy on refunds and cancellations. You cannot ask for a refund if you have completed 25% of the course. Also, if you wish to cancel, you will have to pay a cancellation fee of about $60.

Course Options 

AI offers two delivery formats for their trainee appraiser courses — Livestream and self-paced online classes. In some states, they do not offer all of the mandatory courses, so make sure you check first if their packages will satisfy your requirements. 

AI is best known for its high-quality course materials. However, it has a few drawbacks. For one, students only have between 30 days to finish courses that are worth 15 hours or less, and 45 days to complete programs that are more than 15 hours. 

4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida Sonia Galarza School4 Best Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Florida Sonia Galarza School

Address: 6615 Sheldon Rd Ste A Tampa, FL 33615

Phone Number: (813)413-4919

Sonia Galarza is a broker and realtor who founded the real estate school after her namesake in Tampa, Florida. She is a professional instructor in the state, as well as in New York and Ecuador. 

She started the school to simplify teaching by using the latest technology. She used this to help students understand not only the principles of real estate but also how to build connections for success.

And if you’re more comfortable with Spanish, this school offers its courses in Spanish, too. 

Course Options 

The school offers Basic Appraisal Principles and Basic Appraisal Procedures at about $400 each. To inquire about course information and class schedules, call the school’s hotline or shoot them an e-mail at admin@sgrealestateschool.com. 

Florida Real Estate Appraiser FAQs

Have questions about becoming an appraiser in Florida? Here are some of the frequently asked questions that you might have in mind.

What are the requirements for a real estate appraiser license in Florida?

The following are the requirements to become a real estate appraiser in Florida:

  • You are at least 18 years old. 
  • You have a United States social security number. 
  • You have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED).
  • You must complete at least 100 hours of pre-licensing education within five years of applying. It includes 30 hours each of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures, 15 hours national USPAP course, and 25 hours of electives, which should include 6 hours of Florida Laws.
  • After earning 1,500 hours of documented appraisal experience (using your appraiser trainee license) as well as the additional required qualifying education hours, you will then be eligible to apply as a Certified Residential Appraiser.  

Can I take real estate appraisal courses online in Florida?

Yes, the state of Florida allows distance learning for real estate appraiser applicants. 

How long does it take to become a real estate appraiser in Florida?

It doesn’t take long to start a career in real estate appraisal in Florida. All you need to do is complete the required 100 qualifying education hours, and you can then proceed to begin your apprenticeship. You don’t need to pass any exam to get your trainee license, apart from the end-of-course exam, of course. 

How much money do trainee appraisers make in Florida?

According to Ziprecruiter.com, a trainee appraiser in Florida earns an average of around $23,800 per year. Trainees or apprentice appraisers usually work part-time under a certified supervisory appraiser. They get paid from around $50 to $200 per appraisal.  

Conclusion

Since 100 hours of qualifying education is required, you might as well make the most of it. 

Not only will good quality education equip you with the necessary knowledge, but it will also help you become confident to fulfill the responsibilities of the job in the future. 

To be sure, these 4 schools have the best real estate appraisal courses in Florida. Signing up with any of them will help you do a good job as a future appraiser.  

So what are you waiting for?