So for a month now I have had no work. Everyone I know hasn't had any consistant appraisal work either or none at all as well. Not that I haven't been working, but I haven't had an appraisal order/assignment for over 1 month. Now, the real esate market is significantly slower and its only been 2 days since the Feds stepped in to try and help its citizens/eceonomy (?) however, I, still have not had any work. I have spent my time doing marketing, which nobody is responding to due to the current RE market (I actually had a lady call me from my recent mailing and online advertising, that she REALLY wanted to use me but they just laid off 75% of their staff from agents, underwriters, reviewers and inhouse appraisers andshe wanted me to know how sorry she was she couldnt' give me any work. Thoughtful, I s'pose), so I think that maybe that was a waste of time and money. I also have cleaned my office, gotten all of my billing and collections in order, cleaned my office, backed up my computer and files, cleaned my office, have signed up for more continuing education and, did I mention, I cleaned my office? UGH! I can handle a busy schedule and I enjoy being busy. What I don't handle well is not doing anything. I will actually create something to do to avoid having to sit still and do nothing. Maybe I'll die early, as a result of this character trait, but I don't really care. I like being busy. But this lull in work and not having work has really exhausted my creative juices in trying to find something to do. I am almost out of ideas and funds and will probably have to start moon-lighting at some fast food joint soon just to stay a-float (God I really Hope not!). Why not go back to Physical Therapy, some of you are asking? For one thing, if I am in a hospital or clinic and get a call from a client or a prospective client, its not like I can drop my patient and run to a computer and process an order or answer any questions or take care of anything they need, and by not being readilyy available I risk loosing a client or potential client.....So going back to PT is really not an option and besides, I really don't want to.
Right now I am assisting on a photo shoot production. I have never done production before and can't say that I love working in the entertainment world, but I do have a new respect for and admire those that can multi-task with scheduling, clients, agents, art directors, the "creative types," and also deal with fussy actors and models. It's enough to push anyone over the edge. BUT!!!!! The pay is good! It pays more than Physical Therapy! and it pays more than what I make as an appraiser. Now, I'm not saying I'm going to leave the profession, but maybe the real question isn't "where's the work?" Maybe the real question is "where's the money?" and slumming to get it!
This too shall pass!
;)
;)
I just spoke to one of my main clients yesterday who informed me that there are only two of them left in the office.... The owner and the Office Manager - She said that everyone went back to their former jobs (which I remember included quite a few sales positions in the car industry). She also sounded optimistic which is how I feel. The Feds have lowered rates and people are educating themselves on different loan programs... feeling more comfortable with them and realizing that preditory lenders are all but missing from the scene.
I have certainly been taking advantage of the slow down and been working on some house projects (just to remind myself that I should really leave that stuff to the professionals). Although I've been getting a spattering of work, I could have pretty safely left town this week and no one would have noticed.
Best of luck to all -