IF you're buying a house, then there's a good chance you will need to deal with a property valuer, so it's a major problem when there's a shortage of them.
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In major cities, that's hardly the case with the housing industry booming, but in regional areas such as Tamworth it can be difficult to book one on short notice.
That is largely because Bachelor of Property Valuation courses have previously only been available in Sydney. But that is all about to change, with TAFE NSW now offering people across the state the chance to study in a virtual classroom.
This is a huge boost for local property valuation businesses, that have been struggling with long hours, packed schedules and a wide area to cover.
Preston Rowe Paterson's Bruce Sharrock believes the new virtual course could be a game changer.
"It's going to mean people that aspire to do evaluation don't have to go away, they can do it from towns like Tamworth," he said.
"And after a 12 month period they'd have a fair chance of getting a job as an assistant valuer, so I think there's more opportunities there."
Mr Sharrock revealed in the past it has been very difficult to convince young or newly graduated valuers to return to regional areas after completing their degree.
That's often due to them wanting to continue the city lifestyle, or having started relationships or families during their time as a student.
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As a result, Mr Sharrock's business has struggled for employees and currently has two staff, who have to travel as far as Murrurundi, Moree and Coonabarabran.
New additions would be gladly welcomed, and he believes other property valuation businesses in the region will feel the same.
"Everyone could do with another one, two or three valuers because we're just so busy, it's unprecedented what's happening at the moment," he said.
"Someone like our business is having one of the biggest turnovers they've ever had over the last few months, because there's so much work there."
The degree is three years full-time and requires 24 units of study, including units in rural, residential, commercial and retail valuation, as well as law and town planning.
It includes a mix of face-to-face and online learning connected classroom study.
To find out more about studying a Bachelor of Property Valuation at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.
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