Overview
We are a small Virginia real estate appraisal business looking for a sharp, reliable, detail\-oriented person to help with appraisal report preparation, property research, data entry, client follow\-up, and file management.
This is a mostly remote position for someone located in Virginia. Applicants near Richmond, Charlottesville, or Central Virginia are preferred, but applicants anywhere in Virginia may apply.
This role can be part\-time or full\-time depending on the applicant’s availability, training progress, current work volume, and overall fit. It is well suited for someone who is comfortable working from home, learning new software, managing deadlines, and doing careful computer\-based research and data entry.
This can be a long\-term appraisal support/data role, or it can become a formal appraiser trainee/apprenticeship path for someone interested in becoming a licensed or certified real estate appraiser in Virginia.
This is not a highly scripted corporate role. It is a small\-business real estate environment with changing priorities, important client due dates, and a need for calm, accurate follow\-through.
Duties
Most of the work is computer\-based and involves helping move appraisal files from order intake to completed report. Typical duties include:
\- Entering property data into appraisal software
\- Researching MLS, public records, tax records, GIS/maps, deeds, plats, tax cards, and property documents
\- Reviewing and comparing property information from multiple sources
\- Organizing PDFs, photos, records, and appraisal files
\- Preparing draft appraisal reports under supervision
\- Reviewing reports for missing information, inconsistencies, or incomplete sections
\- Tracking client due dates and helping keep files moving
\- Reviewing appraisal order dashboards and helping prioritize files by deadline
\- Communicating with team members, clients, agents, borrowers, and other parties as needed
\- Following up through client portals and order dashboards
\- Spreadsheet work and market/data research
\- Photo and file organization
\- Learning appraisal software, client systems, and real estate data sources
At first, the role is primarily research, data entry, file setup, and report support. Over time, the right person may grow into more judgment\-based valuation work, comparable sale research, narrative analysis, inspection support, and formal appraiser trainee responsibilities.
Each appraisal is essentially a mini case study involving a specific property, market, client requirement, and deadline.
Schedule and Work Location
This is mostly remote. Applicants must be located in Virginia. Being within a few hours of Richmond or Charlottesville is helpful, especially for anyone interested in the appraiser trainee/licensing path.
Expected availability:
\- At least 20 hours per week to start
\- Up to 40 hours per week depending on work volume and applicant preference
\- Additional hours may be available during busy periods
\- Flexible work schedule, as long as due dates are met
\- Reasonable responsiveness during normal business hours, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
\- Occasional evening or weekend work may happen during busy periods or when deadlines require it
The goal is to manage work so that most weekends and normal evenings remain free. However, real estate appraisal work is deadline\-driven and cyclical. Applicants should be comfortable with both slower periods and busy periods. Candidates who are hungry for more work during busy periods may have greater earning potential.
Compensation and Benefits
This is intended as a W\-2 employee role.
Pay range: $18–$30 per hour
Paid training is provided. Compensation may include hourly pay and/or production\-based incentives depending on training progress, speed, accuracy, independence, and work volume.
Once trained, efficient employees may earn approximately $20–$30/hour equivalent during steady work periods. Actual earnings depend on work volume, accuracy, speed, training progress, and the type of files assigned.
Benefits may include:
\- Health insurance options for eligible employees
\- Flexible schedule
\- Work from home
\- Paid training
\- Professional development assistance
\- Potential appraisal education assistance for long\-term employees pursuing the appraiser trainee/licensing path
\- Equipment support may be considered over time for employees who are progressing well and need additional tools to work effectively
Raises and advancement are available based on accuracy, speed, independence, reliability, appraisal knowledge, and licensing/education progress.
Equipment Needed
Applicants should have:
\- Reliable internet
\- Windows computer
\- Phone
\- At least one monitor, though at least two monitors are strongly preferred
\- A quiet and reliable place to work remotely
A dual\-monitor setup will make the job much easier because the work often involves comparing appraisal software, MLS, tax records, PDFs, maps, spreadsheets, and client portals at the same time.
Skills and Qualifications
Required:
\- Strong computer skills
\- Fast and accurate data entry
\- Strong attention to detail
\- Comfort with Excel, Word, Google Sheets, PDFs, online portals, and web research
\- Ability to learn new software after training
\- Ability to compare information from multiple sources
\- Strong written communication
\- Ability to manage deadlines
\- Ability to work independently in a remote environment
\- Comfort with ambiguity, changing priorities, and moderate deadline pressure
\- Reliable internet and basic home office setup
\- Availability for at least 20 hours per week
\- Reasonable responsiveness during normal business hours
Preferred but not required:
\- Real estate, appraisal, mortgage, lending, title, insurance, construction, property management, or administrative experience
\- Experience with property research, public records, GIS/maps, MLS, tax cards, deeds, plats, or similar documents
\- Experience with data entry, file management, client portals, spreadsheets, or research\-heavy work
\- Interest in real estate appraisal, property data, market research, or valuation
\- Located within a few hours of Richmond or Charlottesville, Virginia
Real estate experience is helpful but not required. The right applicant does not need to know appraisal work already, but they do need to be persistent, accurate, computer\-comfortable, and willing to learn.
A college degree is not required. An analytical mindset, strong work ethic, computer comfort, accuracy, and reliability are more important than a specific degree.
Recent graduates, career changers, people returning to the workforce, parents seeking remote work, and applicants from nontraditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they are serious, detail\-oriented, and ready to learn.
Appraiser Trainee Path
For applicants interested in becoming a real estate appraiser, we are willing to sponsor and supervise qualified long\-term candidates pursuing a Virginia appraisal license.
This path is optional. Some applicants may prefer to remain in a remote appraisal assistant/data role, which is also acceptable.
For those pursuing the appraiser trainee path, appraisal coursework and trainee licensing requirements will need to be completed in accordance with Virginia requirements. Prior trainee coursework is preferred but not strictly required if the applicant is otherwise a strong fit and willing to complete required coursework within an agreed timeframe.
The trainee path may eventually involve property inspections, field work, and travel in the Richmond, Charlottesville, and Central Virginia areas. This would generally be a future expectation for someone pursuing appraisal licensure, not an immediate requirement for every applicant.
Who This Is a Good Fit For
This role is best for someone who:
\- Likes computer\-based work
\- Is accurate and careful with details
\- Can work from home without constant supervision
\- Can handle deadlines without becoming overwhelmed
\- Is comfortable asking questions when something is unclear
\- Can learn through repetition, feedback, and real examples
\- Is interested in real estate, research, data, or small business work
\- Wants flexible remote work but understands that deadlines still matter
\- Can stay organized while juggling multiple files at different stages
Who This May Not Be a Good Fit For
This may not be the right role if you:
\- Need a very predictable, low\-pressure workday
\- Are uncomfortable learning new software
\- Struggle with deadlines or changing priorities
\- Prefer work that is fully structured and repetitive
\- Are careless with details
\- Are unavailable during normal business hours
\- Do not have reliable internet or a basic home computer setup
\- Need constant step\-by\-step direction after training
Training can feel overwhelming at first because appraisal work involves many details, forms, rules, deadlines, and property\-specific exceptions. The right person does not need to know real estate already, but they do need to be persistent, detail\-oriented, computer\-comfortable, and willing to learn.
Application Process
Please submit:
1\. A resume or summary of your relevant work experience
2\. A short note explaining why this type of role interests you
3\. Answers to the screening questions provided with the application
Qualified applicants may be asked to complete a short practical exercise involving property records, data entry, or report review. Interviews may be by phone, video, or in person. At least one in\-person meeting may be required before a formal job offer.
Pay: $18\.00 \- $30\.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Are you generally available and responsive during normal business hours, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM?
- Do you have any computer\-based administrative, data entry, research, office, real estate, mortgage, or similar experience?
- What city/county/region of Virginia are you located in?
- Are you available to work at least 20 hours per week?
- Do you have reliable internet, a Windows computer, and a phone suitable for remote work?
- Do you currently have at least one monitor, and would you be comfortable working with two monitors over time?
- How would you describe your comfort level with Excel, Word, PDFs, online portals, and learning new software?
- Which best describes your interest in this position?
- This job involves deadlines, changing priorities, detailed computer work, and some ambiguity. Are you comfortable with that type of work environment?
- Briefly describe a job, class, project, or life experience where you had to be accurate, organized, and careful with details.
- Briefly explain why this type of remote appraisal/data/research role interests you.
- Are you willing to complete a short practical exercise involving property records, data entry, and report review before a final interview?
- Virginia (Required)
Application Question(s):
I mainly want a long\-term remote appraisal support/data role
I am interested in eventually becoming a licensed appraiser
I am open to either path
I am unsure but interested in learning more
Location:
Work Location: Remote