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A passion for real estate inspires future appraiser

Beverly Ochieng

ADI Scholarship Recipient Spotlight – Beverly Ochieng

Beverly was attending graduate school in Miami, Florida when she started working as a secretary for a luxury real estate sales office. Upon graduation, Beverly returned home to Columbus, Ohio, where she has kept her thumb on a housing market for the last 6 years.

Beverly was known to spend hours a day studying homes, days on market, and sold prices. Beverly and her husband recognized that the real estate industry was the place for her to thrive. In 2019, she earned her real estate license.

In 2023, she was invited to an Appraiser Development Initiative® (ADI) information session by a Zora’s House member. Afterwards Beverly submitted her application and accepted an ADI scholarship to start her journey to becoming an appraiser. At Val Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, Solidifi invited Beverly to speak on their panel, helping her to make strong industry connections.

Beverly pivoted from her thriving career as an agent with Redfin to complete the AppraisalU practicum where she gained her experience hours.

The in-person courses, where we have a supportive, dedicated classroom time, gave me confidence in my appraisal career, trust in the industry, and in its professionals.

Presently, Beverly’s application for licensed residential appraiser is approved pending her scheduled exam. She is nurturing a career that fits her skillset and that works well with her lifestyle, while also working with long-time ADI sponsor Solidifi.

About the Solidifi Appraiser Trainee Mentorship and Scholarship Program

Solidifi is helping to grow our industry with our Appraiser Trainee Mentorship and Scholarship Program. As part of the Program, Solidifi is part of the Appraiser Development Initiative™ (ADI) as an Advisor Sponsor and In-Kind Sponsor that provides scholarships and mentoring for new entrants to the appraisal profession.

For aspiring appraisers, finding a qualified mentor to oversee part of their training is often cited as a significant barrier to entry in the profession. However, more and more appraisers on the Solidifi network are opening their doors to trainees. Solidifi is leading the way to attract new entrants to the appraisal profession with more than 200 trainees onboarded since inception providing valuable work experience toward their appraisal credential.

About the Appraiser Diversity Initiative

The Appraiser Development Initiative™ is a collaboration between the Appraisal Institute, National Urban League, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The goals of the Appraiser Development Initiative™ are to attract diverse new entrants into the residential appraisal field, overcome barriers to entry (such as education, training, and experience requirements), and provide support to position aspiring appraisers for professional success.

The goal of the ADI is to create relationships and partnerships with sponsors for the benefit of the ADI participants. ADI sponsors workshops and other activities to inform aspiring appraisers about the requirements to become an appraiser and the multiple career opportunities available. ADI participants are awarded education scholarships for the completion of base course requirements to become an appraiser.