Real estate surveyor

Real estate surveyors undertake research in order to assess the value of property for tax purposes. They investigate multiple properties at once, using accurate appraisal techniques. They provide their services usually to local and governmental bodies for taxation reasons.

Real estate surveyors typically carry out the following duties:

• Determine how properties are used and assign classifications based on that
• Prepare valuation schedules for entire neighborhoods
• Maintain a database of all properties in their jurisdiction
• Maintain property maps
• Defend the accuracy of their assessments when owners challenge them
• Notify taxpayers annually of the classification and market value of their properties
• Answer owners’ property tax questions
• Inspect residential properties to look for changes that would affect market value, including improvements or deterioration
• Gather, edit, and sort property sales data

The following job titles also refer to real estate surveyor:

real estate analyst
municipal assessor
real estate surveyors

Real estate surveyors typically need a bachelor’s degree. Common fields of degree include business, social science, and psychology.

College courses in subjects such as computer science, finance, and business or real estate law may be useful for prospective real estate surveyors.

Most states set education and experience requirements that assessors must meet in order to practice. A few states have no statewide requirements; instead, each locality sets the standards. In some localities, candidates may qualify with a high school diploma.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Real estate surveyor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to real estate surveyor.

property appraiser
real estate investor
letting agent
foreclosure specialist
property acquisitions manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of real estate surveyor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of real estate surveyor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

personal trust officer
housing policy officer
property developer
aviation surveillance and code coordination manager
business valuer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of real estate surveyor.

• Real estate market: The trends concerning the buying, selling, or renting of property, including the land, buildings, and natural resources encompassed within the property; the categories of residential properties and properties for business purposes in which such properties are traded in.
• Property law: The law and legislation that regulates all the different ways to handle property, such as the types of property, how to handle property disputes and property contract rules.
• Tax legislation: Tax legislation applicable to a specific area of specialisation, such as import tax, government tax, etc.

These skills are necessary for the role of real estate surveyor.

• Collect property financial information: Collect information concerning the previous transactions involving the property, such as the prices at which the property had been previously sold and the costs that went into renovations and repairs, in order to obtain a clear image of the property’s value.
• Advise on property value: Provide advise to those that own a property, professionals in real estate, or prospective clients in real estate on the current monetary value of a property, the potential of development in order to increase the value, and other relevant information concerning the value of the in the future developments of the real estate market.
• Maintain relationships with government agencies: Establish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.
• Provide information on properties: Provide information on the positive and negative aspects of a property and the practicalities concerning any financial transactions or insurance procedures; such as location, composition of the property, renovation or repair needs, the cost of the property and the costs related to insurance.
• Examine the conditions of buildings: Monitor and assess the conditions of buildings in order to detect faults, structural problems, and damages. Assess general building cleanliness for grounds maintenance and real estate purposes.
• Value properties: Examine and evaluate land and buildings in order to make valuations about their price.
• Compare property values: Obtain information on the value of properties comparable to a property which is in need of valuation in order to make more accurate appraisals and assessments, or to set or negotiate the price at which the property can be sold or leased.
• Perform property market research: Research properties in order to assess their usefulness for real estate activities, using various methods such as media research and visitation of properties, and identify the potential profitability in the development and trading of the property.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of real estate surveyor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
• Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
• Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
• Building codes: The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.
• Risk management: The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising of all types of risks and where they could come from, such as natural causes, legal changes, or uncertainty in any given context, and the methods on dealing with risks effectively.
• Cadastral taxation: The taxation legislation concerning real estate and real property’s metes-and-bounds of a community.
• Concurrent estate: The concept in property law which stipulates the rights and duties of two parties co-owning a property, and the various ways in which co-tenancy is possible.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of real estate surveyor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
• Research taxation procedures: Research the procedures which regulate taxation activities such as the procedures involved in the calculation of tax for organisations or individuals, the taxation handling and inspection process, and tax returns processes.
• Compile appraisal reports: Compile full reports of appraisals of properties, businesses, or other goods and services being appraised using all the data gathered during the appraisal and valuation process, such as financial history, ownership, and developments.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Obtain financial information: Gather information on securities, market conditions, governmental regulations and the financial situation, goals and needs of clients or companies.
• Perform field research: Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
• Inspect taxation documents: Inspect files and documentation dealing with taxation cases to ensure no faulty or fraudulous activity is present, and to ensure the procedure is compliant with legislation.

3315 – Valuers and loss assessors

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References

1. Real estate surveyor – ESCO
2. Tax Assessor Job Description: Salary, Skills, and More – Liveabout.com
3. Property Appraisers and Assessors : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. Featured image: By Michael Rivera – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0