Sometimes being an appraiser isn’t just about square footage and comps. It’s about survival instincts. I recently sat down with Donna Halfpenny, an appraiser from the Chicago area, on the Brews & Appraisal Views podcast to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in our profession: safety. The episode, “Safety First, Valuation Second,” features Donna sharing a frightening experience she had during a divorce appraisal that really makes you stop and think about your own personal safety on the job.

 

The truth is, this job can get downright spooky. You never really know what’s waiting behind that front door. It could be a friendly homeowner, a raccoon, or someone who’s not too thrilled about your visit. And it’s not just rare. Every week there’s a story out there that reminds us this work isn’t always as safe as it looks from the outside.

 

Just recently, a property preservation worker went to change the locks on a foreclosed home, routine stuff, and ended up getting shot and killed by the former owner who refused to leave. That’s not an urban legend. That really happened.

 

Even in our “civil” assignments, it can get dicey. I had a divorce appraisal this week where the wife didn’t even feel safe stepping foot in the home. She actually called the police and requested a courtesy escort so I could complete the inspection. That should tell you something.

 

So here’s your reminder, appraisers:
Be vigilant. Be aware. And always put safety before the fee. No appraisal is worth walking into a dangerous situation. If something feels off, listen to that voice in your head. You can always reschedule, bring someone with you, or call the police for an escort.

 

It’s a crazy world out there, and not just because it’s Halloween week.

 

So, this Halloween, remember: the scariest thing you can run into on an inspection isn’t a ghost. It’s the person you weren’t expecting to be home.

 

Stay safe, watch your back, and if you missed the episode with Donna Halfpenny, you can listen to “Safety First, Valuation Second” on Brews & Appraisal Views.

 

And if you haven’t joined the Appraisal Referral Network yet, now’s the time. Over 1,350 appraisers across the country are already connecting, referring work, and looking out for each other. It’s free to join, and who knows, you might even find a few friendly ghosts (I mean, colleagues) in your area.

If you’re an appraiser who’d rather measure a house than mingle at a networking event, this one’s for you. Most of us didn’t get into this business because we love small talk or self-promotion. We like research, accuracy, and data. We’re professionals, not performers. But here’s the catch: if you want steady non-lender work, you have to find ways to let people know you exist.

 

I recently came across an article by Ashley Harwood published by the National Association of Realtors called “3 Marketing Ideas for Introverts.” It was written for real estate agents, but honestly, it could have been written for appraisers too. She talks about focusing on deep relationships, authentic social media, and direct mail. All three of those fit perfectly for appraisers who want to grow private work without pretending to be someone they’re not.

 

Here’s how to make those ideas work in our world.

Build deeper relationships

Forget networking events where you collect 30 business cards and never follow up. Instead, build real connections with people who can actually send you business: attorneys, real estate agents, financial planners, and past clients.
 If you complete a divorce or estate appraisal, send a short thank-you email afterward. Stay in touch a few times a year. That consistent follow-up keeps you top of mind when their next client needs an appraiser.

Use social media your way

You don’t have to make reels, dance on TikTok, or post every lunch you eat. Just be present. Share what you know. Post about how an estate appraisal works, or how a pre-listing appraisal can help a seller avoid pricing mistakes. Even one or two thoughtful posts a week can help people realize you handle private work, not just lending assignments.

Direct mail still works

If the idea of cold-calling attorneys makes you cringe, send them a letter instead. A simple one-page letter explaining who you are, what types of appraisals you do, and how you can help their clients goes a long way. Old-school? Maybe. But it works.

 

The truth is, introverts can actually have an advantage here. We’re good listeners. We think before we speak. And when we tell someone we’ll get the job done right, we mean it. That reliability builds trust faster than any flashy marketing campaign ever could.

 

If you want to learn more about growing your non-lender business, finding marketing strategies that fit your personality, and connecting with other appraisers who are doing the same, join us at ReferAppraisals.com. The Appraisal Referral Network is full of appraisers helping each other succeed, one quiet professional connection at a time.



This week I came across a post in one of the appraisal forums that really caught my attention. An appraiser was venting about how they had referred a client to another appraiser, agreed on a referral fee, and then never got paid. They went out of their way to help a client in a tight spot, and when it came time for the other appraiser to follow through, they suddenly “didn’t get the job.” The post ended with a fair question: where are the ethics and professionalism in our business?

 

What really stood out to me wasn’t the post itself, but the reaction. Some appraisers agreed completely. Others acted like asking for a referral fee was some kind of moral failure.

 

Let’s clear this up. Referral fees are perfectly appropriate when it comes to non-lender work such as estate, divorce, pre-listing, trust, litigation, or any other private assignment. You cannot collect a referral fee for federally regulated or government-related work, and that’s not what we’re talking about here. This is private business between two professionals helping a client.

 

Here’s the logic: if your phone rings because you’ve built strong relationships and spent time and money marketing your business, that lead has value. When you can’t take the job, maybe it’s commercial, outside your area, or you’re simply booked, referring it to another appraiser and earning a small percentage for your effort isn’t shady. It’s smart.

 

Real estate agents do it every single day. They refer clients to other agents and take 25 to 40 percent. Nobody calls that unethical. Meanwhile, many appraisers are paying 30 percent or more to AMCs on lender work and calling it “normal.” So paying a middleman is fine, but paying a colleague who actually sent you business is somehow a problem? That doesn’t add up.

 

Last year alone, I referred out close to $50,000 in non-lender work and earned between 10 and 15 percent on those referrals. The accepting appraiser was free to quote whatever fee they wanted. The client was taken care of. Everyone won.

 

Referral fees aren’t about greed. They’re about recognizing value. You put in the work to build your brand, answer the calls, and maintain those relationships. That deserves fair compensation. Just be transparent about it, agree upfront, document it, and make sure it’s for private, non-lender work only.

 

Appraisers need to stop treating business like a dirty word. We spend enough time complaining about low fees and AMC pressure. Yet when there’s a simple, professional way to create more revenue and support each other, half the industry wants to argue about ethics.

 

It’s time to start thinking like business owners. Agents figured this out decades ago. It’s about time appraisers caught up.

 

That’s exactly why I started the Appraisal Referral Network, to help appraisers connect, refer out non-lender work, and both earn fairly. If you’re ready to grow your business and support your peers at the same time, visit ReferAppraisals.com.  Let’s help each other win, not tear each other down.



Last week I talked about how agents can be one of your best referral sources. This week, Realtor.com backed that up with a new report showing that one in three homes in 2025 were bought with cash. That means a third of all buyers skipped the lender and the lender’s appraisal.

 

So, who is looking out for those buyers?

 

Even cash buyers want to make a smart decision. They may not need an appraisal, but they still want to know they are not throwing extra zeroes at the wrong property. A private appraisal gives them exactly what they need: confidence. It confirms what they are paying makes sense and gives them leverage if it doesn’t.

 

Smart agents already know this. Recommending an appraisal protects their client and protects them. If the property turns out to be worth less than what the buyer paid, that agent can point back and say, “I told you to get an appraisal.” That is not just good service; that is smart business and liability protection.

 

Here is the truth. Whether your value comes in low or high, most cash buyers will still close. They just want peace of mind before they wire hundreds of thousands of dollars. The appraisal is not a deal killer. It is a deal confirmer.

 

Now, not every agent gets that. Some avoid recommending appraisers altogether. And frankly, those probably are not the agents you want to partner with anyway. If their only focus is their commission check instead of helping a client make an informed decision, that tells you everything you need to know. The good agents, the ones worth your time, are the ones who value expertise and transparency.

 

Appraisers, get out there. Go start meeting agents. Go start educating them and let them know what a resource you can be to their business, and especially to their cash buyers. When agents understand how much value you bring to the table, you will start seeing more referral opportunities and stronger partnerships.

 

If you want to work with those kinds of professionals, join the Appraisal Referral Network. It is where appraisers across the country connect, share referrals, and build strong, non-lender businesses that do not rely on luck or loan volume.  Join today and start building the right kind of network that actually works for you.

One of the best ways to grow your non-lender appraisal business is by working with real estate agents. Agents have a constant need to prove value, whether that’s setting the right list price, keeping their cash buyers from overpaying, or helping a stubborn listing finally move. That’s where you come in.

 

Appraisals for agents are one of the easiest ways to become a go-to resource. You’re giving them exactly what they need: a third-party opinion of value that makes their job easier and protects their reputation.

 

For sellers: An appraisal helps set the right price from the start. Homes sell faster and closer to list price when they’re priced correctly. That means the agent gets paid sooner and with fewer headaches.

 

For cash buyers: When there’s no lender involved, there’s no safety net. A private appraisal reassures buyers they aren’t overpaying and helps the agent look smart in the process.

 

For stale listings: Every agent has one. When a property has been sitting too long, an appraisal can be the tool that re-sets expectations and gets it sold.

 

It also reduces the agent’s liability. Instead of being the one to “guess” the right price, they can point to an independent appraisal. If anyone questions the number later, the agent can say, “We brought in a licensed appraiser to determine value.”

Real Example: How It Works

Here’s an actual appraisal I completed for an agent who uses my services regularly.

I researched the neighborhood and recommended a listing price of $739,900, with an opinion of value around $720,000. Within the first week on the market, the home had six offers, all right around my opinion of value. The property went under contract quickly with a cash offer at $735,000.

 

Here’s what the agent emailed me:

“Got 6 offers on this property and we are under contract with a cash offer at $735K! Thanks for your help! See you soon!”

That’s the kind of success story you can bring to agents in your own market.

How Big This Niche Really Is

To give you an idea of the potential, so far this year (and we’re only in October) I’ve completed 75+ appraisals for listing purposes from agents. That’s not counting cash buyer assignments or stale listing work. Just listing appraisals alone account for 26% of my business.

 

If over a quarter of my business is coming from agent-focused work, that should tell you how powerful this non-lender niche can be when you start marketing it.

The Takeaway for Appraisers

Agents want to get properties sold, protect their clients, and protect themselves. Market directly to those pain points. Show them how hiring you for an appraisal will:

  • Price their listings correctly

  • Help their buyers make smart decisions

  • Revive properties that have been sitting too long

Most agents don’t even realize appraisers offer this service. Educate them. Be the solution to their problem.

 

And if you’re serious about building more non-lender business, join the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. You’ll connect with appraisers across the country who are already getting steady referrals for divorce, estate, and agent-focused work. Don’t sit on the sidelines, this is where the growth is happening.