Do we all need an attitude adjustment for the New Year? Someone much smarter than I am once said, “Things aren’t as bad as you think.” That said, the opposite is likely also true: things aren’t as good as you might think. Either way, we as humans could do a whole lot better at appreciating what we have. Complaining comes easy. 

When we receive a revision request, we prepare for a fight. Could we change that mindset? Be a little less defensive? Could this be an educational opportunity? This indeed might be a chance for us to gain a little knowledge. Listen in as Bryan and one of his trainees discuss a recent revision request and how they turned it into a teachable moment. 

Do they have a bag full of Christmas goodies for appraisers?

Well, they DO have something coming to us. Or at us, depending on your point of view.

Bryan talks about some big changes Fannie Mae is sending our way regarding measurement standards. He concludes with a big THANK YOU to folks who checked on him after the recent horrific tornadoes in Kentucky — and tons of gratitude to all those who have donated to the Appraisal Relief Fund of The National Association of Appraisers. Helping fellow appraisers who've lost their homes to disaster — that's pretty much what the Christmas spirit is all about.

As an appraiser, do you check appliances when conducting an appraisal inspection/observation? What if it's an FHA assignment? After all, we need to assure the appliances are operational. So if you don’t test them, how do you confirm they work? 

Listen to Bryan’s most recent experience in navigating this very scenario.

Are you meeting the needs of your clients? Are you turning down work? Most appraisers are so busy they can’t keep up, even with working extended hours, weekends, holidays; and their vacation (if they ever take one) has become a working vacation. When is the last time you took vacation without packing your laptop to handle some work while vacationing? 

If we can't keep up and meet the needs of our clients, what’s the answer? 

Listen in as Bryan shares his thoughts on some things that just might help.

We were taught (and continue to teach our kids) that practice makes perfect.

Is that even true? Is there such a thing as perfection? Maybe we should be teaching our kids, and reminding ourselves, that practice makes better.

The same goes for us real estate professionals. The real estate market isn't perfect. Appraisers aren't perfect. Even USPAP isn't perfect. In fact, it actually states, "Perfection is impossible to achieve..."

Our standards and ethics recognize that no one can achieve perfection. Listen in as Bryan reflects on that idea — of perfection, ethics, and educating ourselves on what's realistic and what's attainable.

Do you have your Halloween costume ready? Maybe you don’t need one if you are a ghost. Are you an appraiser ghost? 

Many appraisers are apparently becoming ghosts, which can be a frightful thing for the clients they serve and the communities in which the service is provided. Can you be disciplined for being an appraiser ghost and engaging in ghostly activities? 

Bryan isn’t afraid of an appraisal ghost. But if you are an appraisal ghost, should you be scared? Listen in as Bryan sits down with Michael Simmons, Founding Principal and Co-President of AXIS Appraisal Management Solutions, Inc. to discuss this scary issue. 

Do you do hybrid appraisals? What if the person doing the inspection part was an appraiser? Instead of doing the desktop appraisal part of the hybrid, would you be interested in doing the inspection? Listen in as Bryan sits down with Arizona appraiser Dave Park, who is focusing on the inspections part, to supplement his income as he nears retirement.

Create a Win, Win, Win strategy by bringing on helpers. This podcast is designed for trainee appraisers or wannabe trainees. What can you do to stand out from the crowd? 

Bryan brings two Houston, TX aspiring appraisers into the hot seat for trainee talk. Listen in to their recommendations of what courses to take (and in what order) and creative ideas to find just the right supervisor to get you on your journey to become a real property appraiser.

ATA's Conference: Oct. 1 & 2, 2021 in San Antonio
https://www.txappraisers.org/events

What will happen if appraisers can’t service this overwhelming demand from their clients, because there just aren't enough hours in the day? 

Is it time for a new disrupter in the appraisal profession? Something along the lines of Netflix, Carvana, Red Door, and Zoom? 

Listen in as Bryan hosts guests Mark Walser and Josh Walitt to talk about what might be considered the Next Big Change. Hint: It's not a hybrid. It's a remote inspection. It's appraiser controlled.  

And it's dropping this week at Val Expo 2021.

What is functional obsolescence and external obsolescence? Why are they called obsolescence? After all, physical depreciation is considered deterioration instead of obsolescence, so why isn’t it called physical obsolescence? Finally, what’s curable vs. incurable obsolescence and how does an appraiser ascertain if something is curable or incurable? 

Listen in as Bryan examines these items to answer a practicing appraiser’s question.

Want to take a course with Bryan? Check out the course catalog at our site:
appraiserelearning.com