Assessor

Assessor qualifications to look for

Assessors estimate the value of real estate property or land before it is sold, mortgaged, taxed, or insured.

Your top candidates should also be familiar with commercial real estate software and know about industry legislation and tax regulations.

The best assessors have advanced knowledge of construction, material and building techniques, and relative work experience. Keep an eye out for people with solid written communication skills, as they’ll have to prepare thorough reports on property appraisals. Also, be sure to explain how much time is spent out of the office. If the position requires travel, check candidates’ availability.

 📌Don’t forget: Check local legislation as licensure requirements vary per location. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who have:

• Solid communication skills 
• A customer service mindset 
• The ability to travel and be out in the field 
• Flexibility in their hours
• A valid driver’s license
  

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Problem-solving interview questions

• How do you stay organized when you have to inspect [ X] number of properties in different locations?
• Explain how to determine the value of major improvements to an old building.
• Walk me through an evaluation of a 10-floor building.
• When should you approve or decline a request for a tax deduction?
  

Role-specific interview questions

• How do you determine the value of a property?
• Walk me through the types of commercial property your most comfortable assessing. 
• What kind of real estate software are you familiar with? What are your favorite features? 
• Explain how the demographics of a neighborhood affect the value of a property.
• Explain the property tax exemptions are veterans granted.
• How do you handle a resident who files a property tax appeal?
  

Behavioral interview questions

• Tell me about a time when your experience in inspecting equipment or material helped you identify structural issues in a building. 
• How did you assess the property of a  demanding homeowner while providing quality customer service?
• What was the most challenging property you’ve evaluated? What did you learn from this experience? 
• How do you meet and stay in touch with mortgage lenders and construction workers?
• What resources do you follow to stay current with industry regulations and changes in tax legislation?