Stress
Stress levels for an appraiser rise and fall with the typical busy and slow real estate seasons, which usually cycle with the seasonal climate. For many appraisers, the warmer months bring more business. From early spring (when real estate agencies start having parade-of-homes events) the need for appraisals skyrockets.
Since your work must be done in a timely manner, it can be challenging to meet the demand in some markets. Some independent appraisers may use paraprofessionals, who are trained to do appraisal work but do not yet have a license, to help them get through the busy season.
Of course, if you happen to live in an area where the weather is good all year (we're looking at you, Hawaii), then stress will stay at a more constant level. Some people might find this easier, since they won't have to go from zero to sixty stress-wise in the spring every year; others will find that they would rather be tearing their hair out for half the year and relaxing for the other half.
Urban appraisers will also have more on their plates than rural ones, since space is at a premium in an urban environment. This all means that you can tailor your career to your preferred stress patterns—how cool is that?
A really smart appraiser will spend slower months updating their files on neighborhoods in their area, checking on permits for upcoming construction, and staying up-to-date on things that can affect property values, like a new school, shopping center, or housing development being built nearby. Any of these things can have a dramatic impact on property values. Keeping files updated means having information at your fingertips, which in turn means it will take less time during crunch time to make an accurate appraisal.