What piece of advice would you give someone who's thinking about becoming an appraiser? James says that it takes a really analytical and detailed mind to become an appraiser and this is so true! Appraisers are constantly analyzing data points and if that's not your forte then becoming an appraiser may not be for you. It takes 2-3 years to become certified and it absolutely does take guts to do this job. Appraisers are fearless; They are constantly walking into the unknown, encountering all types of homes and people. And as you can imagine, some places and people are friendly and some are not. Being an appraiser requires being completely unbiased and facts, facts, and more facts!