The Appraiser Coach Podcast

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.  

Tim Andersen joins us again for a look at the current state of the appraisal profession.  He makes some important observations and gives us some opinion on what the next generation of appraisers (including current appraisers) needs to learn and employ.  

Recently, Dustin had a complaint waged against him.  The complaint came from a disgruntled borrower and had to do with them not liking the value.  Should a state board take these types of complaints seriously?  

Today, we are again joined by Lamar Ellis from Atlanta, GA today.  Lamar is an appraiser and a drone enthusiast.  Let's talk more about how drones and appraisal work go together.  

In our first ever Videosode, Dustin shows you what it is like to appraise in rural Idaho in the winter.  Some places are just not accessible by four-wheeled vehicles.  Today, Dustin uses the fine art of snowshoeing to get to his subject property.  What unique things do you do to get to properties?  Please comment below.  

We are joined by Lamar Ellis from Atlanta, GA today.  Lamar is an appraiser and a drone enthusiast.  Drones are becoming more and more popular for all kinds of things... including appraisal.  

Most appraisers are not big operations.  Finding a phone system that will make your business sound professional, but will not cost you an arm and a leg can be a difficult venture.  Today, Dustin explores some options.  

Let's talk to some of the appraisal vendors at the 2016 Vegas Valuation Expo.  Here is some of what you missed, but can look forward to for next year.  

They are angry. They are old school.  They eat their own.  They are appraisersauruses and you should not be one.  Today, Dustin takes on some of his toughest critics.

An unusual pair team up with Dustin to discuss the problem plaguing our future; the plight of the trainee.  Tim Forsythe and Michael Simmons explain the problem and what they are doing about it.   

After Episode 175, Don wrote in with a question; how can he start to change his appraisal business for the better right now?  Today, Dustin gives some practical ways you can begin saving time and making more money as an appraiser.  

What is it like to participate in the biggest valuation professionals conference in the world?  Let's hear from a few participants.  

At the Valuation Expo 2016, Dustin sat down with Joan Trice (Alterra Group) to talk about the future of appraising.  As head of the CRN, she is in a unique position to hear from the movers and shakers of our profession and where it is headed.  

Dustin is constantly being contacted by appraisers who are struggling to find any time to even have a life anymore.  A better life is possible.  Dustin's appraisal business is set up so he can have as much freedom as possible.  Here is what it looks like.  

Staying in constant contact with the appraisal office is important to not only the day to day routine, but in order to keep things flowing productively.  Today, Dustin discusses why communication is so essential and gives a few tips on how to better keep in contact with your employees and the office environment.  

Nancy Vischer is from the land of 10,000 lakes and has a crazy story to tell about how she got from where she was to owning an appraisal business as a Certified Residential.  Plus, she is fun to listen to.  

Dustin is big on technology, but what if that tech is doing you a disservice?  Do some appraisers rely too much on the computer and not enough on their own brains?  

There are some BIG changes proposed for the way appraisers are trained and obtain their license and certifications.  Right now, the proposals are in the comment period.  Listen as Isaac Peck from WorkingRE Magazine gets us up to date and then sound off: http://www.workingre.com/latest-aqb-proposal-on-college-degree-experience-requirements/       Appraisers are encouraged to submit their (concise and considered) comments to the AQB before the November 18, 2016 deadline: Email: [email protected] or mail to: Appraiser Qualifications Board, The Appraisal Foundation, 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005.  

Employees need to feel like they are well taken care of.  That does not have to cost a lot to the employer.  Here are a few ideas.  

It is one of the most common questions Dustin gets; how to find, hire, and use Virtual Assistants in an appraisal office.  Today, Dustin has Roy Meyer ([email protected]) on the program to walk us through every aspect of both Virtual Assistants and Virtual Contractors.  

Often forgotten, but essential for ongoing relationships and protection as an employer are the regular employee interviews.  Let's talk about why they are so important, how to have them, and how often.

Our appraisal training process is established on the principle of mentors.  We find and become educated under the tutelage of good teachers.  But what do we do to become more intelligent business owners?  Dustin is a coach of appraisers, but also has a mentor.  Though he runs mastermind groups, he also belongs to other groups.  Why is having a coach so essential to success?

We all carry smartphones.  Time to whip them out and use them for more than apps and phone calls.  What can taking short video clips on your inspections do for your business?  

Reconciliation is sometimes taken for granted, but it may be the most important part of the write up.  

Ashley Hammond is here to tell us what we can expect from the upcoming Val Expo in Las Vegas.  The Expo will be November 10-12 on the Famous Las Vegas Strip. Go to  https://www.valuationexpo.com/las-vegas-2016/ for more information.  Use "Coach" at checkout for 20% off your purchase.  

Is your appraisal business ready for whatever comes its way?  Will your office function without you?  Are you ready for retirement or other future events?  Dustin explores all of these issues today.  

You can now find The Appraiser Coach Podcast on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAppraiserCoach Subscribe now and never miss an episode.  In this episode, Dustin lays out why he has added YouTube as an option and what the difference is between the Video and the Audio versions.  

What is the history of the Appraisal Summit?  Dustin sits down with several of the movers and shakers of this annual conference to find out where it came from and what makes it unique.  

If you are asked by a client to appraise more than one parcel at the same time, do you have to do two separate appraisals, or can you combine them?  The answer is, "It depends."  

There are many reasons to come to the Appraisal Summit and Expo, but a big one is all of the booths in one place.  There are software vendors, AMCs, E&O Providers, and many other interesting offerings.  In this episode, Dustin gives a sampling of what companies were in Vegas this year.  

Dustin has been pushing appraisal blogs for years.  If you want to be  known as the expert in your area, blogging is where to start.  Gary Kristensen from Portland OR is another success story in blogging.  Listen in as he gives some helpful tips to appraisers who want to blog, but have not yet started.  

Ever wanted to go to the Appraisal Summit and Expo, but not yet been?  What is it all about?  Is it worth the trip?  Listen in as the participants explain what it is all about.  

Sometimes that perfect employee just does not work out.  When that happens, it is time to let them go.  Do not hesitate.  Waiting will only cost you money and even cause you more heartache in the long run.  

In Episode 152, we talked about the why of Hiring Slow and Firing Fast.  Today, Dustin dives deep into the how of Hiring Slow.  What process does Dustin follow when he hires help in his appraisal office?  If you want to hire the right people for the job, this is an episode you must listen to

Dustin is BIG on the law of delegation.  If he can pay someone less per hour to do something than he makes, he will do it.  What about money?  Does Dustin open his own mail and run to the bank by himself?  

Mike is here to tell us about the upcoming Summit in Las Vegas in September 2016.  Find out when, where, how much, and even listen to the end for a special coupon.  Dustin will be there with his podcasting equipment.  

Humans are funny creatures.  We tend to wait till the last minute to do things (even important things) that need done, and not wait long enough for things that need time.  Hiring and firing employee is no different.  Dustin teaches another way.