The Appraiser Coach Podcast (Dustin Harris)

In the latest edition of WorkingRE Magazine, there is a great article called Inside Access To Fannie Mae's Complaint Process. The publisher of WorkingRE and author of the article joins Dustin for a deep-dive into how the Fannie Mae complaint process against appraisers works.

We first heard of this new path for becoming a real estate appraiser in 2020. Here we are going on four years later. What is happening to PAREA? Is it still a thing? Are any states adopting it. Has anyone gone through it? Dustin breaks it down.

In this episode, Dustin gets out his crystal ball again (eye roll) and predicts what is coming in the near future to the appraisal profession. Is he right?

Today we have 10 year Mastermind Veteran, Brianne on the program to talk private appraisal work. She doubled her private volume in a year. Today, she talks about how she did it.

It is okay to have a bad day or a bad couple of days. Appraisers are struggling right now, but there you can choose how you feel.

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate, joins Dustin again to take two questions in another Ask The USPAP Expert episode to tackle this question and another; can a final be passed off if it is not 100% finished?

Most appraisers are still struggling to get volume. Some are contemplating leaving, but is that the only choice? Dustin lays out 4 options for appraisers who are slow.

In January of 2024, Dustin held the first ever VIP Mastermind in Paradise on the Island of Kauai. Here is a quick rundown of what went on and a little peek into next year.

Brent Bowen joins us to talk about stats, numbers, data-science, and what it all means. What is it an appraiser actually does? How do we support the adjustments we use? Brent explains it on a level we can all understand.

When times are lean, what can we get can be all we can think of. But, maybe now - more than ever - we should be thinking about what we can give.

Many appraisers are upset with PAREA, but what if we took a page from the pathway to become an electrician and combined mentorship with PAREA? I think the idea has many benefits.

Fannie Continues to send out letters to appraisers warning them about banned words. Dustin explains why he doesn't feel the same way many appraisers seem to feel about it.

Dustin does not typically respond to negative comments, but he could not help himself this time. He wrote an article for the Buzz in October of 2023 called "Are Appraisers Actually Making More This Year" and as you can imagine, it was fraught with negative comments. Dustin responds, not directed at the negative, but for those who are interested in improving their lives.

The short answer is, Yes. Check out this minisode to find out why and what is next for The Appraiser Coach.

 Scott Bacnkiewicz joins us to share some research he did on arm's length vs non-arm's length transactions. He shares some information on what they are and why appraisers have such strong opinions on the matter.

CORRECTION: The statement "Market Value Definition," was meant to be stated as, "Arms Length Definition."

Much easier to navigate and much easier to understand. The Appraiser Coach has a new website. Check it out at www.theappraisercoach.com

Mr. Tim Andersen is here again to help us answer the question, "where did you get a copy of my report, and is that even legal?" He also helps us with the question of how far can a client go in telling you how to do your job?

Appraisers are describing this as one of the worst economic times ever. Some are talking about leaving the industry. Dustin's response to this might surprise you.

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI), using data from FHFA, confirms that appraiser racial bias is not systemic. Dustin discusses why this is a positive for appraisers, but be careful of the details.

There are, unfortunately, more and more loan buybacks occurring in the lending world. That often means appraisers get thrown under the bus. In this minisode, Dustin explains why buyback revisions should be treated with the same level of seriousness as state board investigations.

Good friend of the program, Mike Holzheimer joins us from Valuation Review and October Research to talk about the new Voice of the Appraiser survey for 2023.

Dustin shares two, non-appraisal, stories of bad customer service and what we should learn from them.

Many think if you pay a percentage of the appraisal fee, you must only do so through an independent contractor agreement. Not true. Dustin shares how to do it with regular W2 Employees and some hurdles to watch out for.

It has been just over a year now, and Dustin reports on his daily practice of TM. Is he still doing it? Is it still beneficial to the stressful life of an appraiser?

Do you set up a corporation, an LLC, or a sole proprietary company? It is an excellent question and The Coach has some advice.

So maybe it isn't a real word, but it is a true principle. The difference between success and failure is the ability to stick to a task till it is done.

With less volume comes more time on your hands. Some appraisers are using that time to attack others. Dustin gives a better solution to how you might spend your extra time.

A simple concept, but how can you make this apply to real estate appraisal? How do you increase your volume and revenue by creating great offers for your potential clients?

It happens all the time; you get a call from a lender you did not do a report for, but they want to talk to you or get a revision on a report they are in possession of. Can you talk to them? Tim Andersen answers it as well as can you change an original report instead of doing a final?

There is a difference between having a job and owning a business. There is one key indicator to know the difference.

It is a difficult question, but should you classify those who work for you as W-9/1099 Independent contractors or W-4/W-2 Employees? What about trainees? How about other certified appraisers? Dustin breaks down the tests that should be answered to know how to classify your employees properly to avoid penalties and interest if you get it wrong.

The word of the day is capture. The reason most of us do not get done what we commit to is because we do not capture the idea. In this minisode, Dustin talks about how to capture ideas so that you are a person of Integrity.

So many appraisers are slow, but are some appraisers actually doing better this year than last? Yes! Dustin shares why.

Dustin is a big fan of the E-myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, but he may have found a book he likes even more. Today is his book report.

So, you finally got that gig booked to speak as an appraiser expert at the real estate agent office. What should your topic be? Dustin shares 6 topics that are always a hit and some other advice as well.

Are the thoughts we think keeping us from progress? Even if those thoughts are based in rationality, it may be time to reevaluate what we are thinking.

One of the reason we are all addicted to Amazon is because they make shopping online too easy. They take the hard out of it. Can we apply the same principles to our appraisal company?

Dustin recently was gifted a walking desk. Why would anyone want to walk while they work?

Appraisers have been challenged lately on the words we use in our reports. It can be easy to get our backs up about the language we use, but how many of us have every stopped to question the words we use? Tim Andersen is here to discuss.

Preparation is never a bad thing, but sometimes fear of things that might happen will keep up from progression.

It has been a year since Dustin spoke with Jeff Allen from Cubicasa. Lots of progress and changes have been made. How accurate is it?

We were taught to be appraisers, not CEOs of our businesses. Though it may not be our fault, it is not too late to remedy the problem.

Sometimes the divide between appraisers and Realtors can be wide. Tanner Hoss, broker and appraiser in Southern California, has some wonderful advice for any appraiser who is interested in strengthening their relationships with real estate agents.

It has been a goal of Dustin's for just about 4 years and a year ago he achieved it. How has his life changed since becoming fully location-independent?

It can be scary to get 'served.' What do you do next? Are you required to show up at court? Do they have to pay you for your testimony? Some surprising answers and advice on today's episode.

Two tools that Dustin is constantly using and referring to in his coaching are the assembly line and the procedure manual. These are often mixed up or conflated, but they are two, distinct tools with a relationship to one another.

So, you have decided to hire a trainee, but what to pay them (if to pay them at all). Dustin discusses the various models and gives some advice on how to choose one for you.

Dustin has been preaching working On the Business Not In the Business for years. He does it weekly, but recently took an entire day of OINII time.

Dear USPAP Instructor brings us Mr. Tim Andersen answering two questions; is a sale between a landlord and a tenant considered non-arm's length and can you use sales from a state you are not licenced in?

Can you hire a qualified individual overseas for $2 an hour? Probably not anymore. Dustin talks about changes in the VA world.

Sometimes we get in our own way when it comes to fees. We think we know what is acceptable and we sell ourselves short.

Some have asked why Dustin spends an average of an hour a day on Chat GPT. The answer is in what he gains from the effort.

We talk about modernization (change) within the valuation industry, but how can a local appraiser keep up? How can we remain relevant and continue to make money as professionals? Joshua Walitt (Walitt.com) is here to talk specifics.

Giving back to the profession can be a part of why you bring on a trainee, but it cannot be the only reason you do

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate, joins Dustin for another Dear USPAP Instructor episode. On the docket today, "Is taking tickets to the game a bribe?" and "At what point should I turn my peer into the state appraiser board?"

Sometimes the technician and the owner need a manager. Just because you understand how to be a successful appraiser does not mean you understand how to be a successful manager of your time. Maybe it is time to hire someone who does.

Craig Morely has served on several boards and had a great deal of exposure to appraisers in trouble. Today, he sits down with Dustin to share some advice on how to avoid getting yourself into hot water. He also shares some great advice on how to retire in this profession.

The Dunbar number is a measure of how many meaningful relationships one can have. It is not as many as you think. How does that relate to your appraisal office?

Fannie Mae has a list of words that should not be used in appraisal reports. What are they, and should appraisers comply?

When you get that letter (you know what Dustin is talking about), the first thing to do is to ask for an extension. Dustin explains why in this episode.

There have been a lot of rumors since Mark left the 100% Real Estate Appraisers group. What is Mark doing now? Why did he leave? He joins Dustin so you can get it right from the horse's mouth.

If you don't vote, you lose the right to complain. Now is the time to get involved in the changes that are happening in the appraisal profession.

There is much dismay over the use of PDCs, but can they actually allow appraisers to get back to why they joined this profession in the first place? John Dingeman from Class Valuations joins Dustin to discuss.

Sometimes we accept our 'fate' as if we have no other options. But, maybe we have more options than we think. The unasked question is always a "no.." The asked question may open doors of opportunity.

Some have been worried about AI and its implications on the valuation industry, but you do not have to wait to see. It is already being used at the highest levels of our industry.

Can you, as a valuation professional, make life easy for your clients? Take a lesson from a local restaurant that Dustin ate at recently as a template for your business.

With the slow-down, how can an appraiser have a record year for a company that has been in business for decades. Ethan Brooks did. He joins Dustin on the podcast to talk about how.

Are you sick and tired of hearing about artificial intelligence and machine learning and Chat GPT? Why is Dustin spending so much time on this pet topic?

Joel Baker, Senior Professional of Products Solutions at a la mode, joins Dustin to give some updates on new features in a la mode. He also shares some exciting news about traveling education, laser measuring devices, and apps that appraisers should be using.

...if they don't embrace it. The critics are saying that appraisers need to avoid Chat GPT, BART, and other machine learning modules or they will take over the valuation profession. In this episode, Dustin explains why the opposite of that may be true.

It sure can feel that way. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at Corelogic, joins Dustin to talk change. How will the changes coming to the valuation world affect appraisers?

Dustin gives some real world prompts you might want to try in your appraisal process.

Kyle Paquin joins Dustin to talk data science. Not a sexy topic? Listen to this episode if you want to know how to be relevant in the future of the valuation profession.

You have heard of the Law of Attraction. Well, the opposite of that is the Law of Avoidance. How do we recognize it and what can we do to overcome it?

Functional obsolescence. How do you handle it? Chad Zink from Nebraska joins Dustin to talk about his experience.

Facebook is not just about connecting you with friends and neighbors. It can be a powerful marketing tool... if you do not blatantly use it for marketing.

Friend of the program, Erine Durbin, joins Dustin again to talk about the changes that are happening in the valuation world. Ernie gives a bright outlook on where we are going and if appraisers will actually make more money in the future.

Dustin talks a great deal about self-care. Life should not just be all about work. We are on the planet to enjoy as well, but can you take things too far? He explores that question today.

It is a common problem; how do you do enough appraisal work to make a living without cutting the quality of your work. Perfection is the enemy of done as they say. Dustin shares 7 principles to increase your efficiency without cutting your quality.

The answer is time. That is right. You may think that external forces control your time, but the truth is, we are all given the same amount of time and it is up to us to decide how to spend it.

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate, joins Dustin to talk Chat GPT. Specifically, is using it without citing it in an appraisal report akin to plagiarism? What about it being a USPAP violation?

Consistency is a key to success. Today, Dustin shares some little ways that his brain does not have to worry about small things so his brain can be focused on the big things.

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate weighs in on the controversy of the day; appraiser modernization. It is a hot topic and Tim has some great advice for appraisers who are caught in the wash of change.

On Facebook, there's a platform called Appraiser Classifieds that allows individuals to buy and sell goods related to appraisers, as well as find service providers for tasks related to appraisals. The best part; it is completely free of charge.

Is it really that big of a deal? How can it help with appraisal work? Seems like a waste of time. Dustin talks about the importance of AI in the appraisal world on this episode.

The longer the slowdown lasts, the harder it is to stay upbeat. Dustin gives ten ways to remain positive during the slower season.

There is a lot of fear centered around the Fannie Mae move toward 'modernization' and using data collection people rather than appraisers for more on-site visits. There are definitely some concerns, for sure, but is it all bad news? Maybe we are afraid of the wrong thing?

With knowledge comes power. Understanding how real estate markets cycle will better empower you to make the right decisions to stay relevant.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (like ChatGPT) are rapidly improving. Many are fearful this type of technology will replace many of the jobs we know and do today. What about appraisers? Will AI and ML take over the appraisal profession? Let's ask ChatGPT.

There are way too many changes coming our way right now. It can be scary, but change can also bring opportunity.

Dustin recently wrote an article for the Appraisal Buzz (https://appraisalbuzz.com/real-prompts-for-chatgpt-for-appraisal-reports/) about Chat GPT and how it can be a tool to assist appraisers in their appraisal work and the comments BLEW UP! Today, Dustin addresses some of the myths that are out there about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and why fear is not the answer.

With the recent changes to the HUD requirements for appraisers, I removed my ladder from my vehicle - never to return.

Dustin just got back from three Mastermind meetings. He noticed there is one person in every group who is still very successful. Despite the high interest rates, appraisers can still make money. Why? Dustin gives the reasons today.

Recently Fannie announced that she is moving away from the traditional model of appraisal on nearly every loan closed. Dustin talks about why this 'announcement' is no surprise to those appraisers paying attention.

Tim Andersen joins Dustin for another Dear USPAP Instructor to discuss Tidewater and what counts toward trainee experience.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the world and the appraisal industry. What is this Chat GPT thing everyone is talking about?

There have been some questions and criticisms of Dustin Harris, The Appraiser Coach, on social media and his blog. Dustin takes the time to address some of those concerns (including the lovely - and fake - Bill Johnson) today on the podcast.

Dustin had two experiences lately that taught the value of customer service.

Dana Schau joins us again to share her experience, as a woman, getting into the appraisal profession. She also shares more about her move from Michigan to North Dakota and what a rural appraiser deals with.

Part of understanding the loss side of the profit and loss statement is understanding what you can and cannot live without.