Sorry, there are no answers. Getting started is the hardest part. If you are a greenhorn and work for a licensed appraiser, you basically have to rely on them to get you work. If you are licensed and out on your own, then hopefully you made contacts while working for someone else. I have only two clients left from when I struck out on my own. Both are small time operators, but at least they are loyal (or more importantly, I am loyal to them). Most of my clients I have now stumbled across me or I stumbled across them. I do have one suggestion. Specialize in an area that nobody else wants to work. I probably do 70-90% of all the appraisals in a small town in a southern county. The Agents like me because I don't put them off because of their location and I don't look down on them like so many big city appraisers that think their property is worthless because of where it is at. Now, most appraisers turn down work in that area, the loan officers ask if they know an appraiser that services their area, and they always recommend me. Then, the mortgage company remembers me, too because I did not want charge them $500 like their guy wanted to do. I don't get rich off this small town, but it supplements my income and I know where every rural road is and almost every property that sold too. The kicker, since they have so much trouble getting appraisers to go there, they accept my repairs and conditions, because I deal with them fairly and honestly. Good Luck!
