Ready to Start My Own Appraisal Business

[chad hampton]

Get out on your own as fast as you can. One of the few benefits left in this profession is that you can be self-employed and work from home. Learn how to take advice from on forums such as these and who to ignore. If someone has not done an appraisal in 20 years, you can ignore them.

 

[Russ Kitzberger]

.if what you are doing is producing a very predictable outcome (apprentices that leave you and make you jaded),

If you are asking, no that is not applicable. Is there something I said that triggered you to assume that?

Also, I would not judge someone if they did move onto something different, as long as it was in line with our prior agreements. It sounds like we are on the same page there that we expect people to diligently work to meet the agreed terms? At least when it comes to having prior agreements in some form or another written or otherwise.

If what I am saying pisses you off, I just hope you take a second and reflect on your approach. Negative Nancy types typically don't motivate anyone, have very little influence over others and attract garbage. What is it that you want in life? Do you want to help others? Is it working?

Is there something I said that indicates being pissed off?

I am concerned for the overall sustainability of appraisal as a primary profession and am always interested in hearing about others experiences. Some people have said I am too optimistic in general.

I wanted to be able to fly private.... LOL

I am to understand the appraisal business is your giving back as charity and the other business support your private jet travel?

My goals in my appraisal practice are not the same goals I have for my other businesses.

I think that is really an interesting point. Coming from someone who would like to build/create a successful business in appraisal, but have many other options for business/career; I am trying to understand how you decided on your goals for each business and the reasoning on taking this tact with appraisal.

Is the reason you decided to treat the businesses differently because the appraisal business does not support the same level of professionalism and written agreements as your other businesses or some other reason?

How would you have built a successful home care business competing with business owners who treat it as a charitable consideration and have a highly successful primary business?

What does gas light mean?

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own memory, perception, or judgment.

For instance in this last message, saying you might be crazy, the negative nancy, prior statement about predictable outcomes, and you all think you own your clients; that is just meant to sow seeds of doubt. If you have a question, that may be different. None of those character references are applicable to my situation.

"The term originates in the systematic psychological manipulation of a victim by her husband in Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 stage play Gas Light,[6] and the film adaptations released in 1940 and 1944.[7] In the story, the husband attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes."

What is particularly useful to counteract gaslighting is to get the person to place agreements into writing, photographs, or video. These facts can later be utilized to address attempts of manipulator to change the dynamics in order to gain control or advantage or counteract the manipulator's illusions (illusionary truth effect).

What would be a reason that an appraiser would think they "own" (taken to mean clients are overly dependant/submissive) a bank or other client when the client is free to use any other vendor after a one or two-week project is done?

Is it common in your area to think that a $3,000 or even a $20,000 project creates a dependant relationship with a party/client?

 

[nachocheesefries]

If you are asking, no that is not applicable. Is there something I said that triggered you to assume that?

Also, I would not judge someone if they did move onto something different, as long as it was in line with our prior agreements. It sounds like we are on the same page there that we expect people to diligently work to meet the agreed terms? At least when it comes to having prior agreements in some form or another written or otherwise.


Is there something I said that indicates being pissed off?

I am concerned for the overall sustainability of appraisal as a primary profession and am always interested in hearing about others experiences. Some people have said I am too optimistic in general.




I am to understand the appraisal business is your giving back as charity and the other business support your private jet travel?


I think that is really an interesting point. Coming from someone who would like to build/create a successful business in appraisal, but have many other options for business/career; I am trying to understand how you decided on your goals for each business and the reasoning on taking this tact with appraisal.

Is the reason you decided to treat the businesses differently because the appraisal business does not support the same level of professionalism and written agreements as your other businesses or some other reason?

How would you have built a successful home care business competing with business owners who treat it as a charitable consideration and have a highly successful primary business?



Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own memory, perception, or judgment.

For instance in this last message, saying you might be crazy, the negative nancy, prior statement about predictable outcomes, and you all think you own your clients; that is just meant to sow seeds of doubt. If you have a question, that may be different. None of those character references are applicable to my situation.

"The term originates in the systematic psychological manipulation of a victim by her husband in Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 stage play Gas Light,[6] and the film adaptations released in 1940 and 1944.[7] In the story, the husband attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes."

What is particularly useful to counteract gaslighting is to get the person to place agreements into writing, photographs, or video. These facts can later be utilized to address attempts of manipulator to change the dynamics in order to gain control or advantage or counteract the manipulator's illusions (illusionary truth effect).

What would be a reason that an appraiser would think they "own" (taken to mean clients are overly dependant/submissive) a bank or other client when the client is free to use any other vendor after a one or two-week project is done?

Is it common in your area to think that a $3,000 or even a $20,000 project creates a dependant relationship with a party/client?

I think you are very thorough and probably a great Appraiser. I am sorry I said you might be crazy. I don't think you are crazy.

I work 12 hours a day, five days a week at my appraisal business. It had the best year its ever had last year. It is certainly not a charity.

My thought process is what I am trying to get across...everything doesn't have to be so black and white with apprentices. I like taking risks, having fun, and giving people rope to see if they are "my people" or not.

My sup never made me sign anything and I never took any of her business...I didn't care to. If you extend favor to others, 90% of the time, they won't cross you. Build a fortress around your operation, they will lay awake at night trying to figure out what you are hiding and how to take what you have built.

I think if losing business is top of mind when hiring an apprentice, having an apprentice is not right for you. For me, top of mind is how the heck can I spend an hour or more a day with this person and make sure they are a good Appraiser...where they get their business once licensed is not any of my concern.

I once had an Appraiser friend that was struggling getting business back in 2011-12ish. I took her my entire book of business (met her at the John Deere Dealership on my way to an appointment) and told her to start calling on all of them. We talk at least once a week to this day and have some of the same clients to gripe about now.

Life is complex, this, is not.

 

[KYLECODY]

You might be crazy....

My appraisal practice is not the company with all the employees. I have a home care agency that has anywhere from 60-80 full time employees throughout the year (one of the largest in the entire state) and a farm operation as well. Not that it is any of your business, but they are all W2 employees with employment agreements. My work comp bill is more than most people make in an entire year.

I have been at this 18 looooonnnng years. What about your life makes you think I should take business advice from you? You are way over confident in the rubric you were taught. One size does NOT fit all. I have found that employment agreements do not serve my goals in my appraisal practice....which is merely to help others. I am not concerned with them "stealing" MY clients. You all think you OWN your clients as well as your apprentices, which is funny and demonstrates your own insecurity.

You've piqued the great and powerful Ozs' curiosity. Even trying with a guy like that is a losing battle, its like banging your head on the wall expecting it to be productive. Don't feed the trolls. Stay salty.)

 

[Alsie35]

You've piqued the great and powerful Ozs' curiosity. *SNIP*

I'd rather pique Dorothy's curiosity.

 

[KYLECODY]

I'd rather pique Dorothy's curiosity.

I liked the good witch and still have nightmares of that green witch. I just hope the OZ in this thread someday learns he is a goofy, pompous, little man behind a curtain talking crap..but I won't hold my breath. Guys like that usually have never been punched in the mouth, that usually kills that holier than thou attitude fast. Cured me long ago.

 

[Fernando]

2010-2012 years were my best period in doing appraisals working nonstop everyday.
Back then it toll a toll on my health especially not enough sleep.
It's hard to imagine I was able to do all that and still spend some time with my family like vacations with the kids.

My income is slightly more than back then but I'm doing less appraisals and spending more time on my health especially exercising.
Back then my back hurt when I laid on my bed.
Now my back doesn't hurt that much. Exercise can reverse the bad effects. It's not too late. I think I'm in the best shape of my life now.

I calculated that my income will be $zzz,zzz this year, more than last year but it doesn't seem to be enough.
I wondered if I'm in the wrong profession. It can provide a decent living but can't really be financially wealthy just being an appraiser.
What keeps me doing appraisals is I like doing them under my terms.
It's just my perspective after decades being an appraiser.

 

[Reality Check]

Would like insight on running a solo appraisal practice vs small group practice. I work from home, always have, just wondering about working completely for myself.

 

[Reality Check]

Don't forget to sign up for workers' compensation, even if you are a sole proprietor or not mandated by your state; some clients may state you are required to have it. Also, if you do not have it, you may find your corporate vail status at risk.

Also; add hired and owned auto to your general business liability policy or add a business use rider to your personal policy.

Be sure to keep your articles or incorporation and LLC documents safe and compliant, attorney firns are great for this and to act as your statutory agent for service of process.

You are going to hear a lot of apprasiers, just like other small business owners infer that you don't need to professionally run the business. They seem to do this because they do not understand how to run a business and do not wish to have the overhead expenses.

Cutting corners might work for many people; until you need to support that you have a business, whether in a lawsuit or to a government entity. Then the real test of professional administration comes into play.

Thank you.