This past week, we closed out the third quarter of the year. Now’s the perfect time to reflect—what are your goals for the fourth quarter? Do you set goals at the beginning of the year? And how often do you track your progress? At the end of each quarter, I like to run a report in QuickBooks to check my gross income, largest clients, average fee, and the percentage breakdown of assignment types. It’s a great way to stay in tune with how my business is performing.

 

When it comes to my annual income goals, however, I also track those metrics daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. My method might be old school (don’t judge my lack of tech!), but I use a post-it note that sits on my desk. The top left of the note shows my gross income for the month, the top right is year-to-date income, and below that, I write down my daily gross from Monday to Friday. This simple habit keeps me laser-focused on my yearly goals.

 

I didn’t always track income this way. In the past, I’d review my progress at the end of the quarter, only to realize I wasn’t on track. That changed after reading *The 12 Week Year*, which shifted my mindset. The book encourages breaking down yearly goals into more manageable 12-week blocks. My takeaway? Break those yearly goals into quarterly, monthly, and weekly chunks.

 

For example, if your goal is to earn $200,000 a year, that means $50,000 per quarter, $16,667 a month, or $4,000 a week (based on 50 working weeks). This allows you to track whether you’re on target each week. If my income is lower in a particular week or month, I make it a point to schedule extra jobs to catch up. By tracking income this closely, I find it much easier to achieve my goals.

 

As we move into the final quarter of the year, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on your goals, evaluate your progress, and make any necessary adjustments to finish strong. Tracking your income and business performance regularly not only helps you stay on target but also motivates you to take action when needed. Whether you’re using a high-tech tool or a simple post-it note like I do, the key is consistency. Stay focused, break down those big goals into manageable steps, and take control of your success one week at a time.

 

Here’s to a productive and profitable fourth quarter!

 

If you’re interested in learning more about goal setting and growing your appraisal business, consider joining the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. We offer both free and paid membership options, tailored to fit your needs.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

An appraiser, a moving company owner, and a real estate agent walk into a bar. No, it’s not the start of a joke—it’s the beginning of a powerful collaboration I recently took part in with two other professionals. When you’re working on the non-lending side of the appraisal business, networking becomes a crucial part of your success. It’s all about continuously expanding your contacts and connecting with people who target the same audience. In this case, all three of us shared a common goal: connecting with estate planning and probate attorneys.

 

This meeting wasn’t even my idea; the owner of the moving company initiated it. We’re both part of the same networking group, and after chatting a few times, we realized we were both looking to meet estate and probate attorneys. For his business, these attorneys are a key source of work. When someone passes away, the family often needs movers to clear out the house before selling it. Similarly, if someone transitions to an assisted living facility, they’ll need help relocating. Having a trusted moving company as a referral makes the attorney look good and takes a burden off the family.

 

Enter the real estate agent, whom I was introduced to through the mover. She has been marketing to probate attorneys for a couple of years and has made significant inroads in that niche. Probate attorneys are a valuable lead source for agents, as they often handle the sale of real estate for estates. The agent helps heirs sell the property—people pass away every day, and these properties need to be sold. She’s done an excellent job building relationships with these attorneys, which has opened doors for her business.

 

As an appraiser, estate and probate attorneys are also a great referral source. Whether it’s determining a home’s value for heirs, providing date-of-death appraisals for tax purposes, or helping with property divisions among heirs, there are plenty of opportunities in the probate space. The key to accessing those opportunities lies in building relationships with estate attorneys.

 

So how do three professionals—an appraiser, a mover, and a real estate agent—collaborate to market themselves to estate and probate attorneys? The answer is by offering value. In addition to the three of us, many other professionals are involved in the estate space: wealth managers, liquidation companies, senior care managers, assisted living facilities, personal property appraisers, business valuators, commercial real estate agents, and more. Our goal is to create a “one-stop shop” team for estate attorneys, providing a full suite of services they might need.

 

Next time I meet with an estate planning attorney, I’ll set myself apart by saying, “In addition to my appraisal services, I work with a team of trusted professionals who can assist with other needs you may have.” Not only does this make me look good, but it also adds significant value to the relationship. Our ultimate goal is to host events where all of these professionals come together to sponsor and network with estate attorneys. This team approach will increase our exposure, expand our connections, and help us grow our businesses more effectively.

 

Appraisers, I challenge you to build something similar in your market. Get a team together, present yourselves as a collaborative group, and see how it enhances your referral opportunities.

 

If you’d like to learn more about networking and growing your non-lender business, consider joining **ReferAppraisal.com**. For just $20 per month or $199 per year, you’ll get full access to micro-lessons packed with real-life scenarios and actionable tips. If you’re not ready to spend money yet, no problem! We offer a free membership where you can connect with nearby appraisers, provide nationwide appraisal coverage to your clients, and earn money by sending or accepting non-lender referrals.

 

Let’s work smarter, not harder, and build stronger networks together.



Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

This week, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 0.5% to 4.8%, following over a year of steady increases aimed at curbing inflation. After peaking at 9.1% in mid-2022, inflation has now dropped to 2.5% in August. For the past 14 months, the rate had been held at 5.3% as part of the effort to stabilize the economy. Although the Fed doesn’t directly control long-term rates, its policies and market expectations play a crucial role in influencing them.

 

This is welcome news for the real estate market, and it could bring a much-needed boost for appraisers, especially those focused on lending work. The past few years have been tough for appraisers reliant on mortgage lending, with volume drying up considerably. Lower rates will increase housing affordability, likely driving more purchase transactions. Additionally, borrowers with higher interest rates will now have opportunities to refinance, especially for debt consolidation, which could result in more refinance volume.

 

In my business, about 20% of my work is in lending. I enjoy working with select AMCs and direct lenders because of the convenience—you’re on rotation, and the assignments land right in your inbox. What’s not to like about that? The fees are on par with private assignments, and in many cases, there’s less hassle. Submit the report, and you’re done, unless there’s a QC issue. It’s often simpler than private work.

 

While I welcome the increased volume that lower rates may bring, I caution fellow appraisers not to get complacent. I’ve already seen posts in forums celebrating the potential uptick in business from rate cuts, but if you’ve survived this slowdown, take it as a lesson for the rest of your career. Make changes now to ensure you never experience another dry spell like this again. The key to that is diversification into private work.

 

Private work includes appraisals for real estate agents (pre-listing, home measurements, cash buyers, stale listings), attorneys (estate work, date-of-death appraisals), and CPAs (cost basis appraisals). There’s also divorce and partition cases, tax appeals, guardianship, bankruptcy, immigration appraisals, and more. The opportunities are vast, and competition is lower compared to lender work. The demand is there and continues to grow.

 

Now is the time to start building the non-lender side of your business. Get out there—network, create a website, write a blog, set up a Google Business Page, engage in email marketing, social posting, or even paid advertising. The effort you put in now will pay dividends later.

 

If you’re unsure where to start, learn from other appraisers who have already diversified. Follow their blogs, join their coaching programs, or even reach out to them directly for advice. Other appraisers aren’t your competition—they’re a valuable resource. I certainly don’t claim to know everything about private work, but I do know what has worked for me and my business.

 

At ReferAppraisals.com, we offer micro-lessons—quick, 10-minute insights on real-world strategies. These aren’t CE courses; they’re practical lessons from actual experiences, designed to help you grow your non-lender business. You can learn about different types of non-lender assignments and the most effective ways to market and network.

 

My advice: Don’t forget this slowdown. Make it a priority to ensure it never happens again. Take time to diversify and market your business, and you’ll avoid the feast-or-famine cycle. Start making the necessary changes today to secure your future in this industry.



Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com

For the past 10 years, I’ve made a deliberate effort to expand the private side of my appraisal business. During this time, I’ve established strong connections with agents and attorneys while enhancing my online presence. By consistently delivering high-quality appraisals and exceptional customer service, I’ve built a solid reputation. As a result, I’m fortunate to enjoy a steady stream of business from both agents and various attorneys, along with a strong online presence that generates a constant flow of inquiries and potential assignments.

 

My goal is always to go above and beyond for my clients and anyone who reaches out to me. Delivering excellent customer service means helping them, even when I can’t take on the assignment myself. Whether they need an appraisal outside my coverage area, a commercial appraisal, something time-sensitive, or a job I choose not to take, I make sure to let them know I can’t personally handle it but can connect them with another qualified appraiser or two. I approach it this way because they’ve come to me with a problem, and offering a solution or pointing them in the right direction is, to me, the essence of great customer service.

 

Offering this level of service has earned me numerous 5-star Google reviews, even from people who simply called for advice and didn’t end up needing an appraisal. Clients always appreciate being connected with another appraiser when I can’t take on their assignment, and as a result, they keep coming back to me whenever they need anything appraisal-related. I’ve built a reputation for being helpful no matter the situation.

 

When I first started referring clients to other appraisers, I didn’t know many outside of my mentors. I had to network, meet other appraisers, and learn about their specialties, coverage areas, and business practices. This way, when a client needed an appraisal I couldn’t handle, I could confidently tell them, “I don’t do commercial work, but I know a great appraiser who can help. Would you like me to connect you?” From there, I ensured the client was in good hands and taken care of.

 

At first, I believed that if I sent out enough referrals, the favor would eventually be returned. However, I found myself giving out far more referrals than I was receiving. That’s when I started requesting a referral fee for successful appraisals. After all, attorneys and agents ask for referral fees—why shouldn’t appraisers? I discovered that most appraisers were open to paying a referral fee, typically 10-15%, and they had complete control over the fee they quoted. Over the years, I’ve referred hundreds of appraisals to both local and national appraisers, creating an additional stream of monthly income. Would you like to add a new revenue stream to your private appraisal business?

 

This idea led to the creation of the Appraisal Referral Network—a platform designed to help appraisers connect with each other and exchange non-lender referrals. The appraiser who takes on the assignment earns the appraisal fee, while the referring appraiser receives a referral fee. It’s a win-win. The platform is free to join, and you can start accepting referrals from other members right away. We also offer a paid version that allows appraisers to earn a 12% referral fee when they refer an appraisal. Plus, the paid version provides access to non-lender lessons packed with actionable tips to help you grow your private appraisal business.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

Eighty percent of my business comes from non-lender work, and about 30% of that is related to divorces. While the diversification away from lender-based appraisals is beneficial, it also brings its own set of challenges. Sometimes, these cases can be emotionally taxing, and other times, they require you to provide more than just professional expertise—sometimes, you need to offer emotional support. That’s what I want to talk about today.

 

When I was a member of the National Association of Divorce Professionals, I learned a lot about the divorce process. One key takeaway was understanding how the brain works under stress and how to handle clients going through such intense situations. This knowledge has been invaluable because I often see these scenarios play out with my clients.

 

A few weeks ago, I met with a woman in her mid-50s going through a divorce. Her husband had moved out, and she shared with me that they had been married for over 25 years. She discovered through her Ring camera that her husband was bringing another woman to their home while she was away. This woman turned out to be his childhood girlfriend, with whom he had reconnected and had secretly been giving money to for years. By the time she got to this part of the story, she was in tears and visibly distraught. At that moment, my role as an appraiser took a backseat, and I had to be there as a supportive listener. All you can do in such situations is be present and let the client express their emotions until they’re ready to proceed.

 

It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories, and it can be tough to separate your feelings from your professional responsibilities. However, it’s crucial to remain impartial when determining the property’s value. It’s okay to empathize with a client, but you must set aside those emotions when providing an objective appraisal.

 

Despite the emotional challenges, I find divorce appraisals rewarding because they can bring resolution to a difficult situation. For many, the home is the most significant asset, and knowing its actual value—not relying on estimates from sites like Zillow or Redfin—can help expedite settlements. I’ve seen couples argue throughout my time at a property, witnessed a spouse physically assault the other, and, most painfully, seen families with young children go through the distress of divorce. While the diversity of non-lender work is valuable, it certainly comes with its own unique challenges.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about private appraisals and divorce assignments, consider joining the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. We offer both free and paid memberships, and it’s a great way to connect with fellow appraisers and grow your expertise in this niche field.

 

Daniel Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

How many appraisers are truly familiar with valuing properties with solar? I’ve completed a couple dozen assignments on properties with solar, whether the panels were leased, financed, under a PPA, or owned outright. Just last week, I handled two more assignments involving solar—one for setting a listing price and another for a divorce case. Understanding how to appraise properties with solar can be a valuable specialty that enhances your non-lender assignments and sets you apart, potentially increasing your business volume.

 

Coincidentally, I recently attended Mark Buhler’s 7-hour solar continuing education class through Appraiser eLearning, and I highly recommend it. Even if you’re already familiar with valuing properties with solar, this class serves as a great refresher and taught me a lot about using the PVValue Tool more effectively. Definitely check out his class!

 

I wanted to share my experience appraising two properties with solar systems this week. The first property was an estate inherited by a son whose father had purchased solar panels 3-4 years ago with a loan. The son hired me to determine the property’s value for setting a listing price, as he had received multiple offers from rehabbers. We discussed various appraisal approaches, including factoring in the solar panels as if they were paid off or excluding them altogether, and how each scenario could affect the property’s marketability and saleability. Due to the additional work required for analyzing the solar aspect, I charged an extra $100 for this assignment. I was chosen for this job specifically because of my familiarity with solar systems.

 

The second property was part of a divorce case and involved a particularly challenging situation. The couple had purchased solar panels through a loan from a solar company. Although they believed the installation was permitted, it turned out the company hadn’t secured one, leading the city to require the removal of the panels. At the time of my appraisal, the panels were lying against the house, and the roof was leaking due to the removal. To make matters worse, the solar company had since filed for bankruptcy, leaving the couple with a loan but no functioning solar system. In this case, the impact of the solar panels on the property’s value was $0, but the roof damage did affect the overall valuation.

 

So, how can you use your solar experience and knowledge to get more private work? I maintain a database of about 750 agents, and I send them weekly emails, including one specifically about solar. Here’s a link to that email. How many appraisers in your market are reaching out to agents to let them know you can assist with listings that have solar panels? You could also offer to speak at real estate offices about solar and how to properly value properties with solar installations.  So, put your continuing education to work this week to boost your income and expand your business!

 

If you’re looking for more private work, consider joining the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. For just $20 a month, we provide non-lender education with actionable tips to help grow your business. You can also join our referral network for free, which connects you with peers and increases your chances of receiving referrals for private work.

 

Daniel Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

As appraisers, we’re constantly navigating various forms of influence and pressure (Cue Under Pressure by Queen) Whether it’s a lender pushing for a quick turnaround, an agent trying to nudge you toward a contract price, or the pressure to keep the business flowing, it can be tough to manage. This week, I want to discuss how to handle situations where a client attempts to influence or pressure you, and share how I personally deal with these challenges.

 

I’m currently working on a couple of divorce assignments for a new family law attorney. This is probably my third or fourth assignment with their office. The cases involve two houses—one occupied by the husband and the other by the wife. During our conversation, the attorney mentioned, “I need the husband’s property value to be high and the wife’s to be low.” 

 

Now, some appraisers might see this as unacceptable and choose to withdraw from the assignments, which is entirely valid, and I support that decision. However, I take a different approach. I see this as an opportunity to educate my client to prevent future misunderstandings. I explained to the attorney that my role is to remain independent, impartial, and objective. The market data will dictate the values, and it’s not my job to ensure that the results favor their client. If they’re looking for an appraiser who can be influenced, that’s not me. 

 

I didn’t worry about how the attorney might react. If they decided to find a new appraiser, I would simply add them to my “Do Not Accept” list. But if they understood my stance, we wouldn’t face this issue again. In this case, the attorney accepted my point, and we moved on.

 

I apply the same approach when dealing with one spouse who might be standoffish because I was hired by the other. I make it clear that I’m independent and the value will fall where it may, whether it benefits them or their ex. This usually helps open up the conversation.

 

As appraisers, we’re always the neutral party, and it’s our responsibility to rise above any pressure to maintain our independence, impartiality, and objectivity. Often, clients may not fully understand what an appraiser does or what’s appropriate to say during the process. It’s up to us to educate them on what is and isn’t acceptable. So, the next time a client or customer tries to influence you, how will you respond?

 

If you’re interested in connecting with local appraisers and generating additional income, consider joining the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com—membership is free. Additionally, if you’re looking for practical strategies to grow your non-lender business and break free from lender pressure, we’re here to support you.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com

Appraising, like any other business, can go through slow periods. If you primarily depend on lending assignments, you’ve likely felt the impact of the current interest rate environment, with many weeks of reduced activity. So, what should an appraiser do during these slow times? What strategies do you use? How can you stay productive and focus on growth when business is slow?

 

It’s tough when business slows down, and it’s easy to start thinking the worst: Did my clients switch to another appraiser? Am I on a “do not use” list? Did an AMC find a cheaper option? How will I pay my bills? Will I need to find a different career? I’ve had these thoughts many times over the years. My goal was to build a consistent business with fewer of these slow periods. I believed diversifying into non-lender clients would achieve that, but I was wrong—I still experience slow periods sometimes.

 

This past week, the week of 8/5/24, was one of those slower weeks. I completed only three appraisals: a 1/1 condo appraisal for a cash buyer negotiating with an unrealistic seller, an update on a divorce appraisal I did earlier this year, and an appraisal for an agent who regularly hires me to help set accurate listing prices. In total, just three appraisals—well below my weekly goal!  So, how did I spend my time outside of those three assignments?

 

– I worked on continuing education, as my license renewal is due on November 30.

– I volunteered with the middle school music board, spending a day picking up furniture from Ikea and assembling it in the music office.

– I focused on marketing through Constant Contact.

– I scheduled a coffee meeting with a new estate/probate attorney contact and booked a lunch with a marketing professional from my BNI chapter.

– For ReferAppraisals.com, I had a great hour-long conversation with a California appraiser who reached out to connect. It turned out to be an excellent conversation and a valuable resource for the platform.

– I caught up on a lot of emails and industry publications that I hadn’t had time to read.


Although it wasn’t a high-revenue week, it was still productive in many other ways. Slow periods always come to an end, and the busy times return. During these slow weeks, I remind myself that this phase will pass. I could choose to be frustrated and complain, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything. Instead, I use these slower periods to catch up on tasks, explore new business opportunities, work on marketing, recharge, and strengthen both new and existing connections. 

 

As always, the slow week eventually ended. Monday brought 9 calls and appraisal requests, including a client from the Appraisal Referral Network looking to place over 100 appraisals for an estate across the country. This opportunity will make for an incredible week and year for another appraiser on the platform.

 

So, the next time you have a slow week, how will you spend it?

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

 

Whenever I leave the house, it’s inevitable that I’ll run into someone I know. My wife always cringes when I start chatting with them—I’m the social one, and she’s not as much. It wasn’t always like this for me. When I decided to step out of my comfort zone and expand into private appraisal work, I realized that networking and building connections were essential. This brings me to a recent connection I made from running into a familiar face.

 

My son recently turned 16, so we took him and some friends to TopGolf to celebrate. While we were having a great time, I noticed someone I knew in the bay next to us—a friend’s son who works with his father in commercial insurance. We started chatting, and he mentioned he was there with his networking group for a social happy hour. I asked if there were any attorneys or agents in his group that I could meet. Although neither the estate planner nor the agent in his group was present, he invited me to visit his networking group, and I agreed. Even though I’ve been part of a networking group for the past 10 years (see prior blog: “Is Joining a Networking Group Worth It?“), I thought it was a great opportunity to expand my connections.

 

A few days later, I attended the meeting and was introduced to an estate planning attorney. Although the real estate agent wasn’t present, I plan to connect with him in the future. The estate attorney, who recently started her practice, didn’t know any appraisers. We scheduled a coffee meeting to learn more about each other’s businesses and explore potential collaboration. While I’m not sure where this will lead, it’s certainly better than waiting at home for my phone to ring.

 

My advice to fellow appraisers is to get out there and network. Expand your connections and see where it takes you. I turned a fun evening celebrating my son’s birthday into a potential business opportunity that could result in thousands of dollars in new business. It’s not hard—you just need to put yourself out there and be open to new opportunities.

 

Appraisers, if you’re looking to learn how to market your appraisal business and step out of your comfort zone, join us at ReferAppraisals.com. We offer free membership with valuable resources and opportunities to earn additional income through referrals or accepting assignments. For just $20 a month, our Elite Membership provides actionable educational micro lessons to help you grow your non-lender business.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com

Do you want to make $150,000? $250,000? Or [insert your number here] a year doing private appraisals? How do you accomplish this? It all comes down to building connections. The value of your network is as crucial as your appraisal skill set. If you’re aiming to hit a revenue target, understanding how many connections you need and how to leverage them effectively is key.  Private appraisals are the holy grail for real estate appraisers. They provide diversification, growth, and personal fulfillment beyond lenders and appraisal management companies. These include assignments for tax appeals, estates, trusts, guardianship, divorces, listing appraisals, partition, etc. Why do appraisers want to do private work?

 

Diversification of Income:  Non-lender assignments offer revenue streams beyond traditional mortgage-related work. This can help stabilize income and reduce reliance on the fluctuations of the real estate market. With mortgage volume at an all-time low, appraisal volume for lending is also at an all-time low, with many appraisers struggling to make ends meet.

 

Professional Growth:  Engaging in diverse assignments can enhance an appraiser’s reputation and build their professional network. This can lead to more opportunities and a stronger presence in the industry.

 

Personal Fulfillment:  Some appraisers might find working on non-lender assignments more rewarding or interesting, particularly if they enjoy contributing to various aspects of property valuation beyond standard mortgage assessments. Lenders want cheap and fast appraisals. Private clients value your opinion more than banks and often pay higher fees for these assignments. Plus, most assignments do not have the strict time constraints of lending assignments.

 

Understanding Your Revenue Goal

Before diving into connections, it’s essential to grasp what achieving $150,000 in annual revenue entails. As a real estate appraiser, your income is generally derived from the number of appraisal assignments you complete. Suppose your average fee per assignment is $450; reaching $150,000 means you need to complete approximately 333 assignments a year, or about 28 assignments per month. Want to earn $250,000? You would need to complete 500 assignments a year at $500 each.

 

The Role of Networking 

Networking plays a pivotal role in securing appraisal assignments. Building a robust network helps you gain referrals, foster client relationships, and establish a solid reputation. But how many connections are necessary to meet your financial goals?

 

Identify Your Ideal Clients 

Start by identifying who your ideal clients are. Real estate agents and attorneys are the biggest referral sources for private work. Real estate agents refer appraisers for pre-listing assignments, home measurements, and appraisals for cash buyers, and they have a large database of clients who often ask them for referrals for professionals in real estate. Attorneys are another excellent source: family law attorneys need appraisals for asset division in divorce and expert witness work. Estate attorneys need values for probate, date of death appraisals, and appraisals to figure out a buyout price between heirs. Real estate attorneys need appraisals for partition purposes. Various other attorneys also rely on appraisals and make consistent referral sources for appraisers. A strong relationship with a few high-volume real estate agents and attorneys could lead to a steady stream of referrals.

 

Calculating the Number of Connections You Need 

To determine how many connections are necessary to meet your revenue goals, consider the following key factors:

 

Referral Rates 

If each connection refers you to one or two clients annually, you’ll need a substantial network to achieve your target. Based on recent surveys, the referral patterns from real estate agents and attorneys vary significantly:

 

Real Estate Agents: Polling results indicate that, on average, an agent refers to an appraiser approximately 5 times per year. Some agents report no referrals at all, which underscores the need for appraisers to actively engage with agents and demonstrate the value they can bring. Establishing strong relationships with agents can significantly enhance your referral network.

 

Attorneys: According to a survey of appraisers, 24% receive client referrals at least 12 times annually, while 61% report receiving between 24 to 36 referrals from attorneys each year.

 

Conversion Rates 

Not every connection will consistently provide referrals or generate business. Typically, only a percentage of your connections will actively contribute to your workload.

 

For a $150,000 Annual Revenue Goal:

  • If your average fee per assignment is $450, you need to complete about 333 appraisals annually. Given that agents refer an average of 5 clients per year; to receive 100 appraisal requests from agents, you would need to establish relationships with roughly 20 reliable agents. For the remaining 233 appraisals, assuming each attorney refers you 12 times per year, you would need around 20 attorney connections.

In total, to meet your goal of 333 appraisals, you would need to cultivate approximately 40 solid connections with both agents and attorneys. Since not every connection will be consistently productive, aiming for a larger number—such as 5 times this amount—can help ensure a steady stream of business. This approach accounts for variability in referral volume and the likelihood that some connections may not provide consistent referrals.

 

Quality Over Quantity 

While the numbers are useful, the quality of your connections often outweighs the sheer quantity. Cultivating strong relationships with fewer, but more influential, contacts can be more beneficial than having a large network of less engaged individuals. Focus on building trust and offering value in your interactions.

 

Strategies for Building and Maintaining Connections 

 

Attend Industry Events: Participate in real estate and appraisal conferences, seminars, and local networking events. These settings offer opportunities to meet potential clients and expand your professional network.

 

Leverage Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram can help you connect with industry professionals and showcase your expertise. Share valuable content, engage with posts, and join relevant groups to expand your reach.

 

Join Professional Associations: Become an active member of professional organizations. These associations often offer networking opportunities, educational resources, and platforms for professional visibility.

 

Follow-Up and Nurture Relationships: Maintaining relationships is crucial. Regular follow-ups, personalized communications, and providing value through insights or advice can keep you top-of-mind for your connections.

 

Achieving an annual revenue goal as a real estate appraiser is within reach with the right strategy and networking efforts. By focusing on building a network of strategic connections, fostering high-quality relationships, and effectively managing your referrals, you can create a steady pipeline of appraisal assignments and hit your financial targets. A well-nurtured network is invaluable. Invest time and effort into building and maintaining these connections, and watch your business grow as you work towards your $150,000, $250,000, or $300,000 annual goal.

 

If you would like to learn more about growing your non-lender appraisal business, become a member of the Appraisal Referral Network by visiting ReferAppraisals.com and take the first step toward expanding your professional network and boosting your appraisal business.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com