OPT Estate Appraiser Jobs
Estate Appraiser jobs involve determining property values for residential and commercial real estate, and many employers hire OPT students with degrees in real estate, finance, or economics. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role, so your 12-month OPT window and state licensing timeline both matter from day one.
See All OPT Estate Appraiser JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 14+ Estate Appraiser jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all Estate Appraiser Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Estate Appraiser roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Location:
Summary
The Commercial Review Appraiser reviews completed real estate appraisals to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with First Horizon Bank Appraisal Risk Management Policy and Procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assures that all appraisers used by First Horizon Bank are familiar with the guidelines and requirements regarding real estate appraisals, by directly communicating such guidelines and requirements to them.
- Prepares RFPs and solicits bids for appraisals, ensuring quality, timing and cost factors are met - Selects pool of appraisers and assigns jobs to selected appraisers.
- The Commercial Review Appraiser is capable of reviewing all completed real estate appraisals ordered by First Horizon Bank, and reviews them to ensure that:
- The correct properties have been appraised as ordered;
- All appropriate valuation concepts have been applied correctly;
- Comparable values referenced are sufficient in number, and are recent enough to be indicative of current market conditions;
- Appraiser's opinions of highest and best use are consistent with current market conditions;
- Assumptions made regarding discount rates marketing period, occupancy rates, depreciation, income and expense streams and any other factors affecting property value are clearly presented and adequately justified; and
- Ensures that valuations are reasonably supported, credible and compliant with federal and state regulations, bank policies and guidelines, and industry standards - All requirements presented in the Appraisal Policy and Procedures have been observed, and the accepted appraisal practices have been followed.
- Accepts or rejects appraisals based upon the examination and works with appraisers to correct unsatisfactory appraisals. Coordinates with appraisers for any necessary report corrections and/or revisions.
- Knowledge of First Horizon Bank procedures and guidelines in general, plus specific and detailed knowledge of appraisal regulations including FIRREA, the Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines, etc.
- Knowledge of negotiating skills in order to successfully resolve disputes regarding appraisal fees and interpretations of the adequacy and accuracy of appraisals.
- Good interpersonal skills in all dealings with the general public.
- Capable of planning all activities, so that all job-related functions may be accomplished efficiently and effectively.
- Familiar with broad trends in the local markets for all property types of commercial real estate and able to analyze available market data, applying such market knowledge to interpreting accuracy of real estate appraisal reports. Must also be aware of any local and/or State ordinances and zoning restrictions that may affect property values.
- Evaluates appraisers on job assignments and provides input on eligibility for continued inclusion in the approved appraiser list.
- All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university, preferably in a business or real estate related field and a minimum of three years related experience and/or training in real estate appraisal review or banking, with focus on commercial real estate lending preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must be able to meet critical deadlines and manage several projects simultaneously. Strong written and verbal communication skills including: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Must have the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
High Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Very High Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Computer and Office Equipment Skills
Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office products.
Experience with appraisal management procurement software preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Current license/certification such as State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser is required and/or nearing completion of same.
About us
First Horizon Corporation is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank.
Benefit Highlights
- Medical with wellness incentives, dental, and vision
- HSA with company match
- Maternity and parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Mentor program
- 401(k) with 6% match
- More - FirstHorizon.com/First-Horizon-National-Corporation/Careers/Our-Benefits
Follow Us
X formerly Twitter
YouTube
See all OPT Estate Appraiser Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Estate Appraiser Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Estate Appraiser
Target appraisal firms that already employ OPT workers
Search Migrate Mate for Estate Appraiser roles filtered by OPT sponsorship history. Firms that have previously hired international students understand the authorization process and are far less likely to dismiss your application over status concerns.
Start your trainee license before OPT begins
Most states require supervised appraisal hours before you can work independently. Completing your Trainee Appraiser license while still on campus means your OPT authorization and licensing progress align, giving employers a candidate who is ready to contribute immediately.
Frame your degree field as a direct qualification
Appraisal employers want analysts, not generalists. Highlight coursework in real estate valuation, statistics, or financial modeling explicitly. Connecting your academic background to property analysis makes your OPT status a smaller concern than your technical readiness.
Apply to firms handling commercial and institutional properties
Large commercial appraisal firms, CBRE, JLL, and Cushman and Wakefield included, handle high-volume work that justifies sponsoring international talent. These employers have established HR infrastructure for visa paperwork and are more open to OPT candidates than small residential shops.
Clarify your OPT end date and H-1B eligibility upfront
Appraisal roles often involve long training pipelines. Employers want to know whether investing in your supervised hours will pay off. Being transparent about your OPT window and H-1B visa cap eligibility early builds trust and prevents late-stage offer complications.
Pursue the Appraisal Institute's associate designation during OPT
Earning an Appraisal Institute designation, even at the associate level, signals professional commitment that offsets concerns about authorization timelines. Employers weighing the cost of sponsorship respond better to candidates actively investing in their appraisal credentials.
Estate Appraiser OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Estate Appraisers?
Yes. Estate Appraiser is not a STEM-designated role, so F-1 students work under the standard 12-month OPT authorization. Your EAD card must be valid before you begin paid employment. Because the 12-month window is firm, coordinating your start date with your EAD approval date and state trainee licensing timeline is essential to avoid gaps.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Estate Appraiser roles?
No. Estate Appraiser positions fall under SOC code 13-2021, which is not included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. You are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period regardless of your degree field. If your degree is STEM-eligible, the extension applies to your authorization status, not to the job classification itself.
Which degree fields qualify OPT students for Estate Appraiser positions?
Finance, economics, real estate, urban planning, and statistics degrees are the most commonly accepted by appraisal employers for OPT candidates. Some firms also hire from accounting and civil engineering backgrounds, particularly for commercial or industrial property work. Your coursework in valuation, data analysis, or investment analysis strengthens your application regardless of exact major.
Do Estate Appraiser employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Sponsorship rates are lower in appraisal than in sectors like software or finance, but it does happen, particularly at large commercial real estate firms. The key factor is whether your supervised hours and licensing progress make you a long-term asset worth the cost. Demonstrating progress toward your state Certified Residential or Certified General license improves your leverage significantly.
Where can OPT students find Estate Appraiser jobs that are open to international candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can filter Estate Appraiser listings by sponsorship willingness rather than sorting through postings that exclude international applicants. Browsing by role and authorization type on Migrate Mate saves time and surfaces employers already familiar with OPT requirements.