Mindset Matters: The First Step to Growing Your Non-Lender Business

Recently, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern among some appraisers, and it’s not helping their success. The first step to creating a thriving non-lender business is adopting the right mindset. Unfortunately, I see too much negativity about the future from appraisers. Personally, I’m optimistic about my business and the opportunities ahead.

 

Yes, lender work is slow, but you have a choice. You can either dwell on the downturn or take proactive steps to change your circumstances. The reality is, relying solely on lender work hasn’t been sustainable in recent years. So, what’s your next move? Complain about the situation—or take charge and make changes?

 

After launching the Appraisal Referral Network, I’ve had appraisers from across the country reach out to me. One asked, “Does this network really help appraisers get non-lender business?” While I appreciated their curiosity, they seemed to expect an automatic flood of work just for signing up. Let me be clear: that’s not how the non-lender business works.

 

Joining a network like ours is a great first step, but success requires effort. Completing your profile is essential, as is connecting with nearby appraisers, sharing your specialties, and building relationships. When you take these steps, your chances of receiving referrals increase significantly.

 

Beyond referrals, we provide 30+ lessons on how to grow your business. These lessons are packed with actionable strategies, but they’re only valuable if you actually apply them. The resources are there—you just need to put in the work!

 

Pessimism Won’t Help Your Business Grow

I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook forums. On the positive side, I enjoy seeing what my peers are up to and learning from insightful discussions. However, the negativity and defeatism I often encounter are disheartening.

 

For example, I recently saw a post from an appraiser nearing retirement who primarily does lender work. Their attempts to break into private work had been unsuccessful, and they were seeking advice. While I sympathized with their struggles, many of the comments were along the lines of “Just retire and give up.”

 

This defeatist attitude isn’t going to help anyone grow their business. In contrast, I offered to help them directly, encouraging them to join the referral network and even letting them know I had a couple of referrals in their area I could send their way. Their response? Silence. It seems they weren’t ready to make a change—and that’s the harsh reality: misery often loves company.

 

The Path to Success: Time, Commitment, and Consistency

Growing a non-lender business isn’t easy. It requires time, commitment, and consistent effort. You’ll need to step outside your comfort zone, embrace change, and treat your business like a business. Nothing will be handed to you—but with the right plan and determination, success is within reach.

 

I’ve designed the Appraisal Referral Network to help appraisers succeed in growing and diversifying their businesses. If you’re ready to make changes and take control of your future, visit ReferAppraisals.com. Let’s build your success together.

Growing Your Non-Lender Appraisal Business

In June, I launched the Appraisal Referral Network with one primary goal: to help appraisers grow their non-lender business. Through my own experience, I’ve identified three critical ways appraisers can expand this side of their practice:

  1. Connecting with fellow appraisers
  2. Sending and receiving referrals
  3. Learning actionable strategies through short education lessons

The Appraisal Referral Network was created to address these needs and provide appraisers with the tools, resources, and connections to thrive in a competitive and evolving profession.

1. Building Connections with Peers

Let’s face it—appraising can be a solitary profession. While there are national associations and coalitions, not every appraiser is involved in these groups. That’s why the Appraisal Referral Network includes a membership map, which allows appraisers to see who is nearby and make meaningful connections.

Connecting with peers isn’t about competition; it’s about collaboration. Whether you need advice on a challenging assignment or want to share insights on effective marketing strategies, having a network of appraisers to turn to is invaluable.

Personally, connecting with peers has been a game-changer for my business. By talking with other appraisers, I’ve learned new techniques, avoided common mistakes, and even discovered profitable opportunities. One connection with a peer across the country led me to a lender that brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in business. That’s the power of collaboration.

2. Leveraging Referrals to Grow Your Business

One of the key features of the Appraisal Referral Network is its referral system. The idea is simple: if you can’t take on an assignment—whether it’s outside your area, beyond your expertise, or simply not a good fit—you can pass it on to another appraiser. In return, you earn a referral fee.

This system isn’t just for active appraisers. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for those nearing retirement. Retired appraisers can refer assignments they still receive to active peers and earn passive income, keeping them connected to the profession while enjoying their retirement.

I modeled the referral system after my own experience. For years, I referred work to others without asking for a fee, hoping the favor would be returned. But it rarely was. That’s why I started charging referral fees—because I spent the time and money to bring in the client. The Appraisal Referral Network takes this concept a step further by streamlining the process. Referrals are tracked, updated, and payments are automated, eliminating the hassle of chasing down fees or assignment updates.

3. Real-World Education for Appraisers

The third pillar of the Appraisal Referral Network is education. While there’s plenty of training on different types of non-lender appraisal assignments, there’s a lack of resources that show appraisers how to get the business.

That’s why I created micro-lessons—short, actionable videos that share real-world examples of what has worked (and hasn’t) in my own practice. From networking with agents to hosting events and using social media, I’ve tried countless strategies to grow my non-lender business. Some were successful; others were learning experiences.

For example, I once spent $3,000 on a booth at a divorce attorney education event, hoping to make connections. While I met several attorneys and added them to my email list, I didn’t land any new clients. It was an expensive lesson, but it taught me to focus my efforts elsewhere.

These lessons, along with a growing resource library of templates, emails, and marketing tools, are available to Elite Members of the network. My goal isn’t to claim I know everything—it’s to share what’s worked for me and help appraisers find strategies that fit their markets and goals.

Why the Network Was Created

For more than 10 years, I’ve been growing the non-lender side of my business, which now accounts for 80% of my work—roughly 300-400 appraisals a year. I’ve learned firsthand that building a non-lender business takes persistence, trial and error, and a willingness to try new things.

The Appraisal Referral Network is here to help appraisers on that journey. Whether you’re looking to:

  • Connect with peers for advice and collaboration
  • Send and receive referrals to grow your income
  • Learn actionable strategies to market your business

…this network is designed to support you.

Membership Options

Joining the network is simple and flexible:

  • Free Membership: Access the referral map, connect with peers, send a referral and a 3% referral fee, receive a referral and set your own fee.
  • Elite Membership: For $20/month or $199/year, gain access to exclusive micro-lessons, the resource library, and increase your referral fee earnings to 12%.

The best part? Membership is scalable. Whether you’re just starting out, actively growing, or looking for passive income in retirement, the Appraisal Referral Network has something for you.

Ready to Grow Your Business?

The Appraisal Referral Network is more than a platform—it’s a community designed to help appraisers succeed. Whether you’re ready to build connections, grow your client base, or learn new marketing strategies, the tools and resources are here to help you thrive.

Join us today and take the first step toward growing your non-lender business!