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.



The other day, I got a call from a potential client. Nothing unusual—until I asked the usual question: How did you find me?
 His answer? “Perplexity.”

 

At first, I thought he was describing his mood. But no, he meant the AI-powered search engine, Perplexity.ai. He had typed in something like “Who’s the best appraiser in Deerfield Beach?” and there it was—Empire Appraisal Group right at the top. Here’s what he showed me:

 

Recommended Appraisers in Deerfield Beach and Broward County
 Empire Appraisal Group – Serving Broward and Palm Beach Counties
 With over 20 years of experience, Empire Appraisal Group specializes in residential appraisals for refinancing, estates, and divorce settlements. Chief Appraiser Daniel Lindeman has completed over 10,000 appraisals and is known for professionalism and accuracy.
 Contact: (561) 441-9298

 

It’s both cool and a little wild to see how search is evolving. We’re entering a time where your next client might not be coming from a Google search. It could be ChatGPT. It could be Perplexity. Or it could be whatever the next AI assistant your client is using to make decisions for them.

 

So, how do you stay visible in this new world of AI-powered search? Simple answer: content.

 

If you want AI tools like Perplexity or ChatGPT to know you exist, you’ve got to give them something to work with. That means:

 

-Posting regularly to your blog

-Staying active on your social channels

-Writing articles or LinkedIn posts

-Keeping your website fresh

-Sharing insights, tips, and case studies wherever you can

The common thread? You need to be putting out original content. AI doesn’t crawl your business card. It pulls from websites, articles, and online conversations. If you’re not creating anything, there’s nothing for it to find.

 

We’ve spent the last 15 years optimizing for Google. But in the next five, your referral pipeline might depend on how well you show up in chat-based search.

 

So my message to appraisers is this: content, content, content.
 Because when your next client asks AI who the best appraiser is in your area, you want it to say your name.

 

If you’re serious about growing your private appraisal business, join the Appraisal Referral Network. It’s free, and it’s built to connect appraisers like you with more non-lender work and more opportunities—no matter how clients are searching.
 ReferAppraisals.com

If you’re looking to grow your non-lender appraisal business, stop waiting for the phone to ring and start meeting people. I know that sounds basic, but that’s because it is. One of the most overlooked (and underused) ways to grow your business is through networking.

 

And by networking, I don’t mean liking a few posts on LinkedIn and calling it a day. I mean real, in-person, get-out-of-your-office-and-shake-some-hands networking.

 

For appraisers, it’s easy to get siloed. We’re often working alone, grinding through reports, and focused on turn times and comps. But if you want to grow the non-lender side of your business like divorce, estate, probate, or pre-listing work, you’re going to need to build relationships with people who can refer you work. That means attorneys, agents, financial advisors, investors, and other professionals.

 

So what is networking, really?

Ivan Meisner, founder of BNI (one of the world’s largest business networking groups), defines networking as “the process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, and expand your sphere of influence or serve the community.” He also makes it very clear: networking is about farming, not hunting.

 

If you’re showing up to an event just to pass out business cards and pitch yourself, you’re doing it wrong. Real networking means building relationships—slowly, intentionally, and with the mindset of helping others, not just scoring leads.

 

Here’s what that looks like for me:

 

About 10 years ago, I joined a local networking group. We meet every Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. (yes, that’s brutal) and we’re done by 8:30 a.m. But that weekly commitment changed my business. During the week, I schedule one-on-one meetings (we call them “one-to-ones”) with members of the group to learn more about them, what they do, who they serve, and how we can help each other. My chapter has about 45 members, so there’s always someone new to sit down with.

 

We also meet outside of our regular meetings. Once a month, the real estate-related members of the group—agents, appraisers, mortgage folks, etc.—gather socially, usually at a bar. We swap stories, share referrals, and build real relationships. I also visit other chapters in the area to meet even more professionals and expand my network.

 

Over the years, I’ve taken on leadership roles in the group. I’ve been chapter president, education coordinator, team leader for our “power team,” and now I’m serving as VP (which includes way too much paperwork). But each of those roles has deepened my connections and increased my visibility. If you’re going to do it, get involved.

 

Bottom line: networking is about showing up, following up, and being consistent. It takes time. It takes effort. But it works.

 

If you’re an appraiser and you’ve been putting off networking because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient, here’s your sign: it’s time to start. Go to a local business group. Join a chapter. Shake some hands. Ask questions. Build relationships. That’s how you grow your non-lender business.

 

If you need help getting started or want to plug into a group that’s already focused on non-lender work, check us out at ReferAppraisals.com That’s what we’re all about—helping appraisers connect, grow, and earn more from private work.

Spring Surge: Why Appraisers Should Get in Front of Agents Now

It’s about to get busy. According to Realtor.com, the week of April 13-19 is prime time for home sellers in 2025. Sellers listing during this window could see higher sales prices, faster sales, and less competition—which means real estate agents are already preparing. Appraisers should be, too.

Now’s the Time to Connect with Real Estate Agents

If you want a steady flow of private work, waiting until peak season is too late. Now is the time to position yourself as the go-to appraiser in your area. Here’s how:

1. Host Talks in Real Estate Offices

Many agents still don’t fully understand how appraisals work. Offer to host a Q&A session at their office. Show them how appraisals can help them:

-Win more listings

-Settle price disputes

-Educate buyers and sellers

2. Meet Up for Coffee

One-on-one conversations build stronger relationships. Reach out to agents and invite them for a quick coffee chat. Be a resource, not just another name in their phone.

3. Confirm Sales Comps Directly with Agents

Verifying recent sales isn’t just good appraisal practice—it’s a networking opportunity. A quick call keeps you top of mind when agents or their clients need an appraisal.

4. Become Their Valuation Expert

Many agents struggle with pricing properties, especially in shifting markets. Position yourself as the expert who can assist with:

-Pre-listing appraisals – Help sellers price homes accurately from the start.

-Cash buyer appraisals – Many cash buyers still want a second opinion before committing.

-Home measurement services – Square footage discrepancies can derail deals—offer measuring services before listings go live.

-Seller-agent disputes – When sellers and agents can’t agree on price, a third-party appraisal can settle the debate.

-Appraisals as a listing incentive – Agents can use pre-listing appraisals to attract more sellers and establish pricing credibility.

Spring is Coming—Are You Ready?

Agents are already making their moves. If you wait until April, you’ll be playing catch-up. Start now—reach out, build relationships, and establish yourself as the go-to appraiser before the market heats up.

This could be your busiest spring yet—if you take action today.

Need Help Marketing to Agents? We’ve Got You Covered!

If you’re not sure how to connect with agents or need help with  marketing, the Appraisal Referral Network offers both free and paid memberships to fit your needs.  Reach out today to see how we can help you grow your private appraisal business. Sign up now at ReferAppraisals.com.

When your phone rings or you receive an inquiry from your website, how do you approach it? What questions do you ask? How do you sell your services? Do you sell yourself? What options do you provide? The effectiveness of these interactions determines your success in converting inquiries into closed business. Additionally, do you track this metric?

Handling Phone Calls

Calls should be treated differently than emails or website inquiries. Make an effort to answer your phone when it rings or have a service that does. Even if it’s just to gather their information and promise to call back with a quote once you’re back in the office. Often, leads get lost when you forget to return a call, they don’t leave a message, or it’s time-sensitive. Your Google Business Profile can give you a report of your calls, including missed calls.

When taking a call in the office, start with typical pleasantries and then ask the primary questions: “What is the address you need appraised?” Pull up its public record and MLS, and ask follow-up questions if needed (e.g., if the aerial shows solar panels, a tarp on the roof, additions, etc.). Then, the crucial question: “What is going on? Why do you need an appraisal?” Let them speak, then summarize their needs and ask follow-up questions to ensure you’re on the same page. This is important, as sometimes people call about loans, and you need to inform them that lenders typically order the appraisal, advising them to double-check with their lender first.

How did you hear about us?

Next, ask, “Who referred you?” or “How did you hear about us?” This information is very important. If you were referred, you want to thank the referrer. You can also track where your leads come from, whether it’s Google, an agent, an attorney, or someone else. This helps you decide where to invest your marketing efforts. If all your calls are from Google, spend time updating your Google Business Profile with fresh content. If referrals are your main source, spend more time with your CRM provider and on email campaigns.

Providing a Quote

Finally, I am ready to give a quote. First, I explain what is included in the appraisal: I will visit the property, measure it to confirm the size, review any updates or recent remodels, address any deficiencies, and provide a report with the home’s market value. If it’s for a listing, I’ll also give a recommended list price, marketing time, and a range of values.

I then give them multiple options: “The appraisal fee for an on-site visit would be $____, but we also offer a virtual/desktop appraisal for $____ , since we have current data from the MLS and public records for a reliable report. Which option would you prefer?” Providing options is crucial because if they got multiple quotes, they may wonder what type of appraisals the other appraisers were offering. This approach makes it more likely to convert this caller into a customer. I have some flexibility with my quote and enjoy friendly negotiation, but it depends on the caller and property. I have no issue being firm on my fee when necessary.

Handling Pushback

When a customer pushes back, such as questioning why I need the address, my response is: “If you want an accurate quote, I need to know what I am dealing with. A 1/1 condo appraisal is much less expensive than a 10,000 sq. ft. oceanfront home.” They usually provide the address at this point. I always ask for the purpose of the appraisal and keep asking in different ways if they are hesitant to give details. This is crucial, as some people withhold information. For example, I charge more for family law appraisals because they are always more difficult due to dealing with attorneys, spouses, scheduling, etc. If a caller is unwilling to tell me why they need the appraisal, I will decline the assignment. It’s always a red flag when a caller withholds important information. Trust your gut and do not take the assignment, even if you are slow!

Further Learning

To learn more about converting leads into assignments, check out our latest micro lesson (short lessons meant to be consumed in less than 10 minutes) at ReferAppraisals.com, available to all ELITE Members. If you’re interested in a FREE membership, join today and check out the latest newsletter for tips on responding to emails and website inquiries—your current responses may be costing you!

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com