The Appraiser Coach Podcast

Jason Self is a happy appraiser in the great state of North Carolina.  You will be hard pressed to find a more happy, upbeat member of our community.  

Probably the easiest, fastest hack to start being more efficient and effective as a real estate appraiser is the dual monitor computer set up.  Oh, it will also help you to get on that path to a paperless appraisal office as well.  

Coming in January of 2018 is a new AO.  Advisory Opinion #37 is all about computer assisted tools for appraisers.  What do you need to know about CATs?  Jared Priesler from Datamaster is here to tell us all about it.  Oh, and here is the link to the blog post he wrote on it: http://www.datamasterusa.com/advisory-opinion-37

You need to be doing staff meetings (even if you only have one employee).  This trick will improve the way you do staff meetings as a real estate appraiser business owner.  

By now, you have heard about the lawsuit between the Federal Trade Commission and the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Legal documents can be a bit confusing. Tim Andersen joins Dustin again to help explain what is going on, describe some of the possible outcomes, explain why this is important to real estate appraisers nationwide, and encourage us to get involved.  If you want the 5,000 foot view of what's happening, this is the podcast for you!

We have all dealt with "that agent."  What do you do when you have to deal with difficult real estate agents or brokers?  What about reminding them that you are also a "Realtor?"

Dustin is often asked about online marketing, mostly for non-lender work.  He did a show a few years ago with Michael Hobbs on this issue that is worth another listen.  If you are wanting to do anything with online and/or social media, this episode is for you.  

Dustin has never been shy about his hatred for taking comp photos.  Some think they are a great idea.  It is one thing to think comp photos are good for your personal appraisal business, but do you have to advocate that the rest of us be required to do it too?

It has been predicted for years, AVMs to replace appraisers.  So far, no dice, but has the appraiser's time finally come?  Isaac Peck, Editor of WorkingRE Magazine joins us to discuss.

The Appraiser Coach recently made a trip across the pond.  Between bangers and mash and crumpets and tea, he learned a few things about himself and his appraisal business.  Some good.  Some not so much.  

Tim Andersen is back. Today, we tackle the second half of 16 Unacceptable Appraisal Practices according to Fannie Mae. What are they and how can we avoid them? The full list can be found in the Fannie Mae Selling Guide: https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/sel022316.pdf

Appraisers are working too hard.  There is a smarter way to work.  Stop working weekends and start setting up your business to run like an actual business.  

If you have not heard the name, you certainly have heard about the technology.  Exos is the new system Servicelink is using to manage appraisal orders.  There have been a lot of myths surrounding this new technology and Danny Wiley, from Exos and Servicelink, is here to answer our questions.  Even if you do not work for Servicelink, you will want to listen to this episode because Exos is open to other clients that you may work for.  

Should you be on Facebook?  As a fellow appraiser, Dustin says "Yes," and here are several reason why. 

Tim Andersen is back.  Today, we tackle the first half of 16 Unacceptable Appraisal Practices according to Fannie Mae.  What are they and how can we avoid them?  The full list can be found in the Fannie Mae Selling Guide: https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/sel022316.pdf

It is just nice to say, "Well, you have a lovely home," right?  Does that type of compliment verge on putting yourself, as an unbiased appraiser, in a position that could come back to haunt you?

They say attitude is everything, so why do some appraisers seem to have such bad ones?  Dustin explores the challenges facing today's valuation professionals and how choice plays a part in success.  

Running a business is hard, but sometimes the most obvious things are overlooked by us.  Those small things can make all the difference in our success.  

Mark is a colorful guy and it is always a pleasure to have him on.  Today, he sounds off on AMCs, fees, and some of the other problems he sees with the appraisal profession.  �

Here is an app that works in the background.  You never have to remember to hit your triptometer again.  www.mileiq.com

Murray Berg, long time appraiser and member of the Appraiser Coach's Dream Team Mastermind joins us to tell his story. Guess which famous clown's house he appraised?  

We spend time in the private domains of individuals.  Sometimes, we see or experience embarrassing things.  What do you do in those situations?  Comment below and let us know what you have seen and what you have done.  

Tim is back to teach us a little something about Highest and Best Use.  It may be the most important step in the appraisal process.  What is it, how do you do it, and what happens if you do it wrong?

A few weeks ago, Dustin described his opinion of the perfect appraiser vehicle.  Today, we take a break from the hard hitting stuff to talk about how to organize a vehicle to be as efficient as possible in the appraisal field.  Please share your ideas below.  

We are all, hopefully, on the watch for identity fraud, but are our appraisal reports considered 'intellectual property?'  Should we be copyrighting our reports?

There is a proposal to raise the deminimus requirements for appraisals in the commercial world from $250,000 to $400,000.  The AI is against it.  Full Story Here: http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/appraisal-institute-urges-caution-on-appraisal-thresholds/

The AQB is out with its 3rd exposure draft.  It is looking more and more like the four year college degree is going to go away, but what is going to replace it?  Can an appraiser really get certified without a mentor?  We have Isaac Peck from WorkingRE here to talk about it.  His article on the subject can be found here: http://www.workingre.com/aqb-digs-in-college-degree-experience-requirements-to-change/ To let your voice be heard, send your thoughts to: Email: [email protected] or mail to: Appraiser Qualifications Board, The Appraisal Foundation, 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005 before May 12.  

Have one-off tasks that need to get done, but you do not want to hire someone full or part time to do it?  Introducing a great service Dustin uses called Fiverr.com.  

Every once in a while, Dustin slows down to catch up on listener mail.  Today is that day.  If you have any questions or comments for Dustin, please email him at [email protected]

A few weeks ago, Dustin tacked the question of whether or not an unintended user should be able to file a state board complaint.  Today, he picks up on whether or not a borrower should be able to sue an appraiser.  The answer may surprise and delight you.

Jake Hamilton, Veteran and Licensed appraiser joins us to talk about his story.  Wait till you hear about appraising the wrong house... twice! 

You understand the Law of Delegation.  If you want to work smarter, you find others to help you, but how does it work in reality?  Sometimes the boots-on-the-ground application can be difficult.  Listen as Dustin shares a few principles to consider as you apply delegation within your office.  

Tim is back with us to help us understand what a misleading appraisal report may or may not be.  You might be surprised.  

What is the best vehicle for appraisal inspections?  Dustin explores three principles to consider using a recent purchase he made as a springboard.  Even if you are not currently in need of a new vehicle, this episode is worth a listen.  It  might change your mind.  

He claims to have "kissed the Blarney Stone" twice.  Originally from Ireland, but mostly raised in Boston and Maine, Joe now makes his home in South Carolina.  You will enjoy hearing about how he built a business of 10 appraisers and is now back down to just himself.  

Do you have the same problem Dustin encounters; being relied upon too much around the office?  Don't you just wish your employees would do more things on their own?  Perhaps this little acronym might help; WWYD

Fannie Mae made an announcement recently concerning unsupervised inspections by trainees. Actually, it was not a new announcement, but a clarification. What does this mean for the appraisal profession moving forward? Craig Morley is here to walk us through it. 

What a way to celebrate the 200 episode of the Appraiser Coach Podcast; with an episode about crap.  Well, as the saying goes, "Crap Happens," but how do you handle those days that are just, well, crappy?

Picking up where we left off last time, Brian Mathews helps us get a better understanding of USPAP and why we do the things we do as appraisers.

Dustin gets emails weekly from individuals who want to become an appraiser, but cannot find a mentor.  If you are in that boat, listen up while Dustin gives you a few tips.  

What do you do when the State Board approaches you with a complaint?  It is not as unusual as you might think and there are things you should do and things you should not.  Tim Andersen is here to guide us through the process.

Dustin just can't let it go!  In Episode 185, he attacked the Appraisersaurus's of our profession, but today he hits it again.  Just because your business model may be different than mine does not mean you are right and I am wrong.  Or does it?

Brain Mathews from California joins us today for a new game; USPAP Myth or Truth? How often do we blame USPAP or rely on USPAP to just justify the things we do.  Sometimes we may be right.  Other times we may not.  Let's find out what is true and what is myth with regard to USPAP.

Do we (or our employees) sometimes have the wrong idea when it comes to "job security?"  Is a bi-monthly paycheck safer than being self-employed?  Are we sometimes afraid to move forward as an appraiser business owner because we somehow owe our employees a "secure job?"

We are all familiar with the USPAP confidentiality rule.  We are obviously committed to keeping all rules, but are we actually breaking the rule when we show our report to other individuals within or outside our offices?  Tim Andersen is here to clear some things up.  

There are appraisers out there who get highly offended when we say, "Appraisal Industry."  "It is a 'profession,'" they say.  Let's look at those words a bit more closely.    

Meet Brendan Campbell from Boston, Mass.  Brendan is a colorful guy with a lot to say about the future of appraising and a dog bite to boot.  

Dustin often gets the criticism that when you delegate to others, your quality goes down.  Today, Dustin refutes those claims and shows how the exact opposite happens.  

Dave Towne, our friend from Washington State, joins Dustin again to discuss a few ideas on how appraisers might improve the quality of their reports.  Some of these you will want to employ and others will have no appeal to you, but all should at least consider these.  If you want to get Dave's emails, send your name and state of residence to [email protected]    

Dustin often refers to Tier I employees, Tier II employees, and Tier III employees.  What does he mean by that?  Today, Dustin explains the terms and describes a bit more about how his office works.