As part of your appraisal business, how slowly should your hire? How quickly should you fire? Since we are human, we tend not to look at hiring someone to fill … Read More
Should Adjustments Actually Be Done?
How much credit should we give ourselves when it comes to making adjustments? Making adjustments is controversial. USPAP says nothing about adjustments – it does not require us to make … Read More
Practice Essentialism in Appraising
In both your appraisal business, as well as your life, are you focused on the fluff and the crap? Do you major in minors? Or, do you focus on, do … Read More
Appraiser Integrity
No, I am not talking about USPAP, confidentially, or unbiased value evaluation. While these are all important, I am simply talking about doing what you say you will do as … Read More
What to Tell Borrowers in an Appraisal Inspection
It can be hard to know exactly what to tell a borrower sometimes in an inspection when it comes to repairs. For example, if you see chipping and peeling paint … Read More
Appraising Where It is Warmer
There was a point when I was seriously considering the possibility of moving to Belize. I live in a cold climate so the prospect of living in a warmer area … Read More
Being an Appraiser with a Disability
Here are some thoughts on something I know nothing about, but want to get some answers. How does the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) affect real estate appraisers? This act … Read More
COD At The Door?
In the past, it was common for appraisers to collect their fees directly from the borrower at the time of the property visit (i.e., at the door). I would take … Read More
Appraiser Diet
I don’t know about you, but I eat out for lunch nearly every day. We appraisers are on the road a lot, and eating out is typically the easiest … Read More
The Wheels on the Appraiser Bus Go Round and Round
You probably have heard me refer to the analogy of the bus in Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great. He compares a business to a bus and talks about making … Read More