How Do You Identify Yourself As An Appraiser?

[Tom Eichholz]

I have had a slight disagreement with a fellow appraiser (at a different company) about displaying my business name and logo on shirts, hats, jackets, etc. He said that it looks kind of cheesy, and he doesn't want the expense for his firm.

OK, but I disagree. I think "Your Appraisal Co" name and Logo stitched onto a nice polo or business shirt looks professional and instantly identifies you to wary homeowners & to others. Plus, "uniforms" are tax deductable...

Anyway, what do you think about it, or use in your business? Also, what about car magnets or stick-ons, or other public advertising?

 

[Kevin A. Spellman]

I only advertise on my reports with my email and phone number. In the 23 years I have been in this industry I have only seen one car with magnetic sign here in MA. It is my opinion that we are mostly business to business service providers. Advertising to the public for possible private work may not work. I would not were clothes with names. Business to Business referral network works for me here in MA

 

[Metamorphic]

Just because you have a magnetic sign, or a company logo shirt doesn't mean you have to wear it on very assignment. And if the government's willing to let you deduct the shirts you're going to be buying and wearing anyway, why not.

Also, if you've got a cool logo, it might even be a nice little spif for your private clients. When I get to the point where I can cultivate my own client base I plan to really "cultivate" them. It seems like a lot of appraisers are too too comfortable taking faxed orders, sending PDFs , and getting checks in the mail. That kind of client/vendor relationship is one that's pretty easy to walk away from. I think that there's some merit in being a face instead of just an email address. Seems like a embroidered polo, under the printed copy of the appraisal, under a CD with the digital copy, delivered to the front desk a couple times a year would set you apart from the crowd by a pretty substantial margin.

 

[timd354]

I have had a slight disagreement with a fellow appraiser (at a different company) about displaying my business name and logo on shirts, hats, jackets, etc. He said that it looks kind of cheesy, and he doesn't want the expense for his firm.

OK, but I disagree. I think "Your Appraisal Co" name and Logo stitched onto a nice polo or business shirt looks professional and instantly identifies you to wary homeowners & to others. Plus, "uniforms" are tax deductable...

Anyway, what do you think about it, or use in your business? Also, what about car magnets or stick-ons, or other public advertising?

I personally think it is cheesy and makes appraisers look less than professional.....how many professionals like attorneys, doctors, etc. run around in shirts with their company name stitched on it? I usually see those types of shirts on fast food workers, guys working at Autozone, the local landscape supply yard, plumbing supply place, etc.

 

[liberated]

I believe that if the shirt of professional quality, there would be nothing wrong with displaying your company name or logo. Moreover, I think that it would be easier to identify yourself to the person that you are meeting.

 

[David Beasley]

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on stuff like polo shirts or whatnot. When working an assignment, it is sort of redundant, you're already hired for that property. It may help your business in places like a store, or restaurant in between assignments though. I personally don't do it, since most people see "appraiser" on clothes or a car sign and start asking how much their house is worth. Gets old after a few years of wasted time educating people on how appraising works and that you cannot tell them the value of their home while you are pumping gas. Never once has one of these conversations lead to work for me.

I do, however, use magnetic signs on my SUV *while I am actually working*. They have my company name and a phone number on them. Truth is I do not purposely "use", nor expect, them to generate business. I use them as a sign to people watching me cruise slowly through their neighborhood while taking pictures of homes, that I am there on business and not scoping out their street for a future robbery/crime spree. I remove them when I am not working, so as mentioned, I can pump gas without having to explain to Billy Bob that I cannot blindly tell him how much his single wide is worth sight unseen.

 

[BRCJR]

..................................................

I do, however, use magnetic signs on my SUV *while I am actually working*. They have my company name and a phone number on them.

For the what is worth department--

If you use the signs on your vehicle, I strongly believe you want your vehicle insured business class. If, you had an acccident while the signs were in place an insurance company could dispute the coverage you have, if in fact you are insured for personal use.

 

[Ross (CO)]

I wonder how many imposters ARE driving slowly around neighborhoods with an appraisal business sign on their car, and taking photographs, for the purpose of scoping out that 'hood for potential crime targets.

- - - - - - - - -
H/O 1: That appraiser who just left sure was a nice person. He seemed very professional.

H/O 2: Yes, and did you see that nice shirt he was wearing ?

H/O 1: I did. A pleasing color, no armpit stains and it seemed to fit so comfortably. Do you think we ought to recommend his shirt to your boss and his wife ?

H/O 2: His shirt ?

H/O 1: Oh, that was a slip on my part. I meant, should we refer HIM since Bill and Mary said at the last dinner party that they were thinking of getting their house appraised as selling it was imminent with his retirement coming up soon. He indicated knowing some appraiser named....Zillow. That's an unusual family name.

H/O 2: No, I'm not going to refer that guy to anybody, at least not yet ! We have not been told any value opinion results from the report he will be delivering to our bank for OUR re-fi here. If he does not hit that number we need.....he's not worth referring.....and I don't really care then how nice his shirt is.

....but you did get his business card, yes ?

 

[PropertyEconomics]

I have had a slight disagreement with a fellow appraiser (at a different company) about displaying my business name and logo on shirts, hats, jackets, etc. He said that it looks kind of cheesy, and he doesn't want the expense for his firm.

OK, but I disagree. I think "Your Appraisal Co" name and Logo stitched onto a nice polo or business shirt looks professional and instantly identifies you to wary homeowners & to others. Plus, "uniforms" are tax deductable...

Anyway, what do you think about it, or use in your business? Also, what about car magnets or stick-ons, or other public advertising?

Black shoes and white socks are a pretty dead give away.

Do you guys seriously put magnetic signs on your vehicles? I wont tell you what I think everytime I see that ..............

P.S. ... is the sign to tell everyone else what you do .. or to remind yourself what you do?????? I do see how it could come in handy in a mall parking lot though ... you wouldnt have to remember the color of your vehicle .. just look for the sign that says APPRAISER .... :new_smile-l:

 

[Walter Kirk]

Does your lawyer wear a shirt that says "Joe Smith Attorney" to court? Does your accountant wear a jacket that says " City Accounting Service"? Is there a patch on the back of your doctor's jacket that says "family Medical Practice"? If you think that you are a professional, dress like a professional. If you think that you are a gas pump jockey, dress in an oil company uniform.