Property appraisers are responsible for a variety of jobs. Primarily, though, it is their job to determine the value of real estate property for tax purposes or as a determining factor in the mortgage lending process. In some states and areas, property appraisers are also responsible for determining the value of certain other assets as well such as cars, trucks, boats, and other recreational vehicles. Business property must also be appraised as well as minerals in the ground on any property. Property appraisers must be specially trained and certified. In many areas, a state license is required. They use various methods for accurately determining the value of the property.

The exact procedure and how long a property appraisal takes will vary greatly depending upon exactly what is being appraised and why the appraisal is needed. In some cases, the whole procedure can take as little as a few minutes, while for more complex situations, it may take a few hours or longer. When appraising real estate for tax or mortgage purposes, the appraiser will most often just do a thorough walk-thru to determine value. Usually, the value will be determined using data from neighboring properties and the amount of recent sales in the area. The appraiser will also document the square footage, condition of the home, permanent structures on the property, and any other factors that may have an impact on the property's overall value.

In the state of Florida, Chris Jones is the Escambia County Property Assessor. He is a native of Escambria county and is a graduate of Pensacola Junior College and Florida State University. He is a state certified general real estate appraiser as well as a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, licensed Realtor, and member of the Pensacola Association of Realtors. He was also the one time president, vice president, legislative chair, and board member of the Property Appraisers Association of Florida. He has also been involved in many organizations based in Florida as well as several national organizations such as the March of Dimes and the United Way.