Review Appraiser

Review Appraiser

World Business Lenders (WBL) is a privately held portfolio lender specializing in real estate-secured business loans for underserved businesses. WBL operates with a fully remote, multinational workforce and an experienced executive leadership team. Typically, the work schedule is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, though additional hours may be required based on business needs.

About the Role

The Review Appraiser will serve as a subject matter expert in residential or commercial real estate appraisal. The role is responsible for reviewing appraisals and other valuation reports prepared by internal analysts and third-party providers, identifying material deficiencies, and recommending property values to the appropriate committee. This position is focused on appraisal review, quality control, collateral risk assessment, and communication of clear, supportable valuation recommendations. It is not primarily responsible for producing appraisals.

What Success Looks Like

Consistently delivers accurate, timely, and defensible valuation recommendations. Identifies material appraisal deficiencies and effectively communicates collateral risks. Provides clear, well-supported recommendations to credit and investment committees. Maintains high-quality, consistent appraisal review standards and supports junior analysts.

Typical Day-to-Day

Review internal valuations prepared by members of the Valuation team for completeness, accuracy, methodology, and supportability. Independently test and validate valuation conclusions using available market evidence and other relevant information. Identify and address deficiencies, unsupported assumptions, or other issues requiring clarification or additional support. Develop independent valuation recommendations based on the appraisal, internal analysis, and available market evidence. Handle complex or unusual properties on an ad hoc basis, including commercial properties, mixed-use assets, or cases where competing valuation sources disagree. Provide technical guidance and subject matter expertise to members of the Valuation team as needed.

Key Objectives for This Role (Quarterly Focus)

Review residential and commercial appraisals for accuracy, completeness, methodology, and supportability. Develop an independent recommendation of collateral value based on the appraisal and available market evidence. Present clear, defensible valuation recommendations to the Asset Resolution Committee and other decision-makers. Identify material appraisal deficiencies, unsupported assumptions, weak comparables, inappropriate adjustments, and valuation risks. Provide technical review and coaching to junior valuation analysts. Improve consistency, quality, and turnaround time of the appraisal review process. Track appraisal accuracy against subsequent sales, recoveries, and other market evidence to continuously improve valuation decisions.

What You'll Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

Review residential or commercial appraisals, evaluations, broker price opinions, automated valuation models, inspections, and related valuation reports. Assess the accuracy, completeness, credibility, and suitability of each report for its intended use. Evaluate property characteristics, highest and best use, zoning, market conditions, comparable selection, adjustments, income assumptions, capitalization rates, cost estimates, and value reconciliation. Identify unsupported assumptions, mathematical errors, stale data, weak comparables, excessive adjustments, material omissions, and other valuation deficiencies. Return deficient reports for correction, clarification, or additional support. Develop an independent recommendation of property value based on the appraisal, supporting market evidence, internal records, inspections, and other available information. Recommend acceptance, modification, rejection, or further investigation of submitted valuation conclusions. Prepare concise written summaries of findings, risks, and recommended values. Present valuation recommendations to Investment Committee, Asset Resolution Committee, Initial Credit Review Committee or other decision-making committees. Explain valuation methodology, assumptions, market evidence, and collateral risks to management and committee members. Recommend additional appraisals, inspections, environmental reports, engineering studies, or other analysis when existing information is insufficient. Review work completed by junior analysts and provide technical guidance on appraisal methodology, comparable analysis, adjustments, and report documentation. Serve as a subject matter expert for the assigned valuation group; the OIC will be responsible for management of the group. Independently test and validate valuation conclusions. Handle difficult or unusual properties on an ad hoc basis, including commercial properties, mixed-use assets, or cases where competing valuation sources disagree. Help maintain consistent appraisal review policies, templates, checklists, escalation procedures, and quality-control standards. Support audits, regulatory reviews, litigation, loan sales, foreclosure decisions, and property disposition strategies involving collateral valuations. Work regularly with the SVP Asset Management, VP Valuation, Valuation Team Lead, and Valuation Team Members.

Education

Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.

Required Experience

7+ years of experience in real estate appraisal, appraisal review, collateral valuation, underwriting, credit, asset management, or a related field. Demonstrated experience reviewing both residential and commercial real estate appraisals. Strong knowledge of the sales comparison, income capitalization, and cost approaches. Experience evaluating comparable selection, market adjustments, income and expense assumptions, capitalization rates, highest and best use, and value reconciliation. Experience with distressed, transitional, nonperforming, foreclosed, or complex real estate. Strong analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to exercise independent judgment and challenge unsupported valuation conclusions. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, public records, property databases, listing platforms, mapping systems, and market research tools. State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser credential. MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, ASA, MRICS, or another recognized appraisal designation.

Key Performance Measures

Accuracy and defensibility of valuation recommendations. Quality and timeliness of appraisal reviews. Identification of material appraisal deficiencies. Consistency with appraisal review standards. Quality of committee presentations and written recommendations. Variance between recommended values and subsequent transaction outcomes.

Remote Work Requirements

Stable, reliable internet connection. Professional and dedicated remote working environment.

Preferred Background / Industry Experience

Real estate appraisal or appraisal review, particularly residential and commercial properties. Commercial real estate lending, mortgage lending, credit underwriting, or collateral risk management. Asset management, special assets, distressed debt, foreclosure, or REO involving complex or transitional real estate. Experience with portfolio lenders, banks, private credit, or other financial institutions. Experience supporting credit/investment committees, loan workouts, property dispositions, or other decisions involving real estate collateral.

Key Soft Skills

Strong analytical judgment and professional skepticism. Confidence to challenge appraisers, analysts, and internal stakeholders when conclusions are not adequately supported. Ability to make sound decisions when property information is incomplete or conflicting. Clear and concise written and verbal communication. Ability to explain complex valuation issues to non-appraisers and senior executives. Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the overall collateral risk. Comfortable defending a valuation recommendation in a committee environment. Collaborative coaching style when reviewing the work of junior analysts. High degree of independence, integrity, and objectivity.

Specific Technical Skills Needed

Expert understanding of residential and commercial real estate appraisal. Strong command of the Sales Comparison and Income Capitalization approach. Ability to critically evaluate comparable selection and appraisal adjustments. Ability to analyze rents, operating expenses, NOI, capitalization rates, discount rates, and income-based valuations. Strong understanding of highest and best use, zoning, property condition, marketability, and location considerations. Ability to identify appraisal errors, unsupported assumptions, inconsistencies, and material data gaps. Experience reviewing distressed, nonperforming, foreclosed, transitional, or otherwise complex collateral preferred. Working knowledge of USPAP and applicable appraisal independence and regulatory standards. Proficiency with Excel, public property records, MLS/listing information, mapping tools, commercial real estate databases, and other valuation research resources. State Certified General Appraiser license strongly preferred. MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, ASA, MRICS, or another recognized appraisal designation.

What We Offer

Compensation includes a base salary of $65,000-$175,000. Eligibility for incentive compensation (equity and deferred cash bonus) varies by title and level, in accordance with company policy. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; a 401(k) with company match; and paid holidays and paid time off (PTO). Work Environment: Fully remote work environment, with occasional travel for leadership off sites/corporate events.