If someone asks what you do for a living, what do you say?

 

A lot of appraisers default to something like:

 

“I’m a real estate appraiser.”

 

Technically correct.

 

Also not very memorable.

 

If you are trying to grow a non-lender appraisal business, you need a better answer. You should be able to explain what you do, who you help, and what kinds of problems you solve in about 30 seconds.

 

That is your elevator pitch.

 

And no, you do not need to sound like you are auditioning for Shark Tank.

 

You just need to make it easy for someone to understand what you do and, more importantly, when they should refer business to you.

 

Your Elevator Pitch Is a Referral Tool

 

I recently read an article by Isabel Isidro on PowerHomeBiz titled “How to Build Your Elevator Pitch.” One of the main points is that a strong elevator pitch should quickly explain what your business does, who it helps, and why it matters.

 

The article also makes an important distinction: the purpose of an elevator pitch is not to close the sale. It is to make your business easy to understand, create enough interest for the other person to ask another question, and naturally continue the conversation.

 

That applies perfectly to appraisers trying to build non-lender work.

 

Your 30-second pitch is not supposed to explain every appraisal service you provide.

 

It is supposed to give people enough information to remember you when an appraisal need comes up later.

 

“I’m an Appraiser” Is Not Enough

 

If you tell someone you are a real estate appraiser, what do you think they picture?

 

Probably a mortgage appraisal.

 

A bank.

 

Maybe someone walking around a house with a clipboard.

 

That is the problem.

 

Attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, real estate agents, and other referral partners may have no idea that you handle divorce cases, estate valuations, tax appeals, litigation, pre-listing work, retrospective appraisals, or other private assignments.

 

You have to tell them.

 

My own elevator pitch might sound something like this:

 

“I own a real estate appraisal company providing residential and commercial appraisal services. A large part of our business is helping divorce attorneys with appraisals for dissolution of marriage cases, estate attorneys who need date-of-death valuations, and real estate agents who need help pricing unusual or difficult properties.”

 

Now the person listening has several referral triggers.

 

Divorce attorney.

 

Estate attorney.

 

Date-of-death appraisal.

 

Real estate agent.

 

Difficult property.

 

That gives them something to remember.

 

“I’m an appraiser” does not.

 

Start With Who You Help

 

The PowerHomeBiz article breaks a strong elevator pitch into several basic parts: who you help, the problem you solve, what you do, why your approach matters, and what happens next.

 

For appraisers, I would simplify that even further.

 

Ask yourself three questions:

 

Who do I want referring business to me?

 

What appraisal problems do I solve for them?

 

What do I want them to remember about my practice?

 

If you primarily want attorney work, say so.

 

For example:

 

“I specialize in non-lender appraisal work and primarily help attorneys with divorce, estate, and litigation-related real estate valuations.”

 

If you want more estate assignments:

 

“I work with estate attorneys, CPAs, and families who need retrospective appraisals, including date-of-death valuations.”

 

If you are trying to build relationships with real estate agents:

 

“I help real estate agents and homeowners with pre-listing appraisals and properties that are difficult to price using a traditional CMA.”

 

Each one tells the listener something useful.

 

More importantly, each one gives the listener a reason to think of you later.

 

Give People Referral Triggers

 

This may be the most important part of the entire elevator pitch.

 

People need triggers.

 

You want an attorney to hear the words “date of death” six months from now and think of you.

 

You want a Realtor sitting at a listing appointment with a difficult property to remember, “I know an appraiser who does pre-listing work.”

 

You want a divorce attorney dealing with two competing opinions of value to immediately know who to call.

 

That is why being specific matters.

 

The PowerHomeBiz article makes the point that referral partners need to understand who your ideal customer is and how to recognize a good fit.

 

Exactly.

 

A referral partner cannot send you the right business if they do not know what the right business looks like.

 

Do Not Try to List Everything You Do

 

Appraisers tend to have a lot of services.

 

So the temptation is to say:

 

“I do residential, commercial, divorce, estates, tax appeals, bankruptcy, litigation, pre-listing, PMI removal, insurance claims, retrospective appraisals, relocation work…”

 

At some point, the person listening is going to start looking for an escape route.

 

Or the appetizers.

 

You do not need to explain your entire website in 30 seconds.

 

The PowerHomeBiz article stresses that the purpose of the pitch is to open the conversation, not explain the entire business.

 

Pick the two or three areas you most want to grow.

 

If someone is interested, they will ask another question.

 

That is exactly what you want.

 

Tailor the Pitch to the Person Standing in Front of You

 

You also do not need one elevator pitch that you repeat word for word every time.

 

In fact, you probably should not.

 

If you are talking to a divorce attorney, talk about divorce appraisal work.

 

If you are at a Realtor networking event, talk about pre-listing assignments and difficult-to-price properties.

 

If you are speaking with CPAs or estate attorneys, emphasize date-of-death and retrospective appraisal work.

 

Your basic message stays the same, but you change the emphasis.

 

That matches another recommendation from the PowerHomeBiz article: tailor the pitch to your audience.

 

A potential client is listening for one thing.

 

A referral partner is listening for something else.

 

For appraisers, that means your pitch should help the person in front of you quickly understand where you fit into their world.

 

Use Plain English

 

There is another good takeaway from the article that appraisers should pay attention to: use plain language.

 

We work in a profession that loves terminology.

 

Retrospective effective date.

 

Hypothetical condition.

 

Extraordinary assumption.

 

Intended use.

 

Intended user.

 

All perfectly legitimate appraisal terminology.

 

Not necessarily what you want to lead with at a Chamber of Commerce lunch.

 

Your elevator pitch should sound like something a normal person understands.

 

“I help families and estate attorneys determine what a property was worth when someone passed away.”

 

That may be much more useful in a casual conversation than launching into an explanation of retrospective appraisal methodology.

 

You can save that discussion for later.

 

Preferably after they hire you.

 

Practice It, But Do Not Memorize a Speech

 

Once you come up with your elevator pitch, say it out loud.

 

That part matters.

 

Something can look great on your computer screen and sound completely ridiculous when you actually try to say it.

 

The PowerHomeBiz article recommends practicing until your pitch sounds natural, but not memorizing every word.

 

That is the right approach.

 

Know the basic structure.

 

Know who you help.

 

Know the services you want to emphasize.

 

Know the problems you solve.

 

Then talk like a normal human being.

 

The goal is not to deliver the same 47-word speech every time someone asks what you do.

 

The goal is to be comfortable explaining your business clearly without having to think about it.

 

Your Elevator Pitch Should Match the Business You Want

 

There is another reason this exercise is valuable.

 

Writing your elevator pitch forces you to decide what kind of appraisal business you actually want to build.

 

If you cannot clearly explain who you want to work with, it is going to be difficult for everyone else to figure it out too.

 

“I do appraisals” is a job description.

 

“I help divorce attorneys, estate attorneys, and real estate agents solve real estate valuation problems” is a business position.

 

There is a big difference.

 

And in non-lender appraisal work, positioning matters.

 

The appraiser who becomes known for a particular type of assignment is much easier to refer than the appraiser who simply says, “I can pretty much appraise anything.”

 

Work on Your 30 Seconds

 

Take a few minutes this week and write down your elevator pitch.

 

Keep it simple.

 

Who do you help?

 

What appraisal problems do you solve?

 

What two or three services do you want people to associate with your name?

 

Then say it out loud until it sounds like something you would actually say in a conversation.

 

Because the next attorney, Realtor, CPA, financial planner, or business owner you meet may know someone who needs an appraiser.

 

Your job is to make sure they know when they should think of you.

 

And if you are trying to grow the non-lender side of your appraisal business, the Appraisal Referral Network is designed to help appraisers increase their visibility, build referral relationships, and generate more private appraisal opportunities.

 

Visit referappraisals.com to learn more.

 

I recently spoke with a real estate agent who was considering hiring me to complete a pre-listing appraisal on a property expected to list for around $3 million.

 

He understood why the appraisal could be helpful, but he kept coming back to the fee.

 

Was it really worth spending the money before the property was listed?

 

That is the wrong question.

 

The better question is: What could it cost the agent if the property is listed incorrectly?

 

If the home is overpriced, it may sit on the market, lose momentum, and eventually require price reductions. The seller may grow frustrated and begin questioning the agent’s advice. In the worst-case scenario, the listing expires, the seller hires someone else, and the agent earns exactly zero dollars in commission.

 

Suddenly, the appraisal fee does not look quite so expensive.

 

The Appraisal Is Part of the Cost of Doing Business

 

Agents regularly spend money preparing and marketing listings. They pay for photography, video, staging, advertising, floor plans, brochures, and sometimes a drone that flies dramatically over the swimming pool.

 

A pre-listing appraisal should be viewed the same way.

 

It is not just another expense. It is a tool that can help the agent win the listing, establish a supportable pricing strategy, and manage the seller’s expectations before the property hits the market.

 

On a high-value property, the financial risk of getting the price wrong can be significant. An independent appraisal can give the agent another layer of support when discussing value with the seller.

 

The agent may believe the property is worth one amount. The seller may believe it is worth substantially more, because sellers have never been known to be emotionally attached to their homes.

 

Bringing in an independent appraiser helps take some of that pressure off the agent.

 

Instead of the discussion becoming the agent versus the seller, the agent can point to objective market evidence from a qualified third party.

 

Give the Agent More Than a Number

 

For my pre-listing assignments, I do not simply hand the client a report with one value conclusion and disappear.

 

I provide a point value, but I also discuss a reasonable range of value, a recommended listing price, and the anticipated marketing time associated with that pricing strategy.

 

That information gives the agent and seller something useful to work with.

 

The seller still makes the final decision about the listing price. The agent still controls the marketing strategy. My role is to provide credible market information so everyone can make a better-informed decision.

 

That is what makes the appraiser valuable.

 

We are not there to replace the agent. We are there to help the agent have a more productive conversation with the seller.

 

Position Yourself as Part of the Agent’s Team

 

Many agents do not automatically think of appraisers as a resource for winning or selling listings.

 

Part of that is because appraisers often market themselves by saying things like, “I complete pre-listing appraisals.”

 

That describes the service, but it does not explain the benefit.

 

Instead, show agents how you can help them:

 

  • Support their recommended listing price

 

  • Handle disagreements about value

 

  • Set realistic seller expectations

 

  • Reduce the likelihood of overpricing

 

  • Provide an independent opinion on unusual or complex properties

 

  • Strengthen their listing presentation

 

  • Create a more professional pricing process

 

The conversation should not be, “Would you like to buy an appraisal?”

 

It should be, “Let me help you create a stronger listing strategy.”

 

That is a much different value proposition.

 

Make It a Standard Part of Their Process

 

The best opportunity is not convincing an agent to hire you once.

 

It is becoming the appraiser they call whenever they have a difficult, high-value, unique, or emotionally complicated listing.

 

Encourage agents to treat the appraisal as part of their normal process.

 

When the agent and seller disagree on value, call the appraiser.

 

When the property is unusual and difficult to compare, call the appraiser.

 

When the seller is interviewing multiple agents and expects an aggressive price, call the appraiser.

 

When the potential commission is substantial and the agent wants to protect the opportunity, call the appraiser.

 

Over time, you become more than someone who produces a report. You become part of the agent’s advisory team.

 

That is how one assignment can turn into a long-term referral relationship.

 

Sell the Outcome, Not the Report

 

Appraisers sometimes get too focused on explaining what is inside the appraisal.

 

Agents generally do not care about the number of pages, the adjustment grid, or how many photographs are included. They care about whether your work will help them win the listing, price it correctly, communicate with the seller, and get the property sold.

 

Sell that outcome.

 

A pre-listing appraisal can help an agent protect a commission that may be worth tens of thousands of dollars. It can also save weeks or months of wasted marketing time and uncomfortable conversations with an unrealistic seller.

 

Compared with those risks, the appraisal fee is simply part of doing business.

 

Appraisers who learn to explain that value will have a much easier time building relationships with agents and generating more private work.

 

Do not just offer to complete an appraisal.

 

Offer to become the person agents trust when they need an independent answer to the most important question surrounding a listing:

 

What is this property really worth?

 

To learn more about building non-lender appraisal work and developing stronger referral relationships, join the Appraisal Referral Network at referappraisals.com.

 

Non-lender work gets talked about like it’s the promised land. Higher fees, more flexibility, less lender pressure. And to be fair, a lot of that is true. But there’s another side to it that doesn’t get enough attention.

You’re dealing directly with the client.

And when the client doesn’t like your value, there’s no buffer. No AMC. No underwriter. It’s just you and them.

That’s where customer service stops being optional.



I had one of those moments this week.

I completed a pre-listing type appraisal for a homeowner who was trying to decide whether to sell or hold onto the property. The appointment itself went great. Friendly conversation, good rapport, everything felt smooth. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Then I delivered the report.

And within minutes, my phone lights up.

“This appraisal is awful.”
“The comps are awful.”
“You got my square footage wrong.”

You know the type of message. Not one text. Multiple. Back-to-back. Fired off like she just discovered I personally caused the market to decline.

Now here’s where a lot of appraisers mess this up.

They start defending themselves immediately. They argue. They try to win the text message battle.

That almost never ends well.



Instead, I kept it simple.

“Hey, I’m happy to go over everything with you. Are you available Monday to discuss?”

That was it.

No arguing. No point-by-point rebuttal over text. Just acknowledgment and a plan to talk.

And just like that, the temperature dropped.



By the time Monday came around, she had cooled off.

We went through everything together. One issue at a time.

The comps? All very similar properties within about a quarter mile. Easy to support.

The value? The market in her neighborhood has been trending down. That’s the part nobody likes to hear, but it’s the reality.

The square footage? She was looking at a different source. I walked her through the county records and showed her the sketch. Problem solved.

By the end of the conversation, she understood the report. She may not have loved the number, but she understood it.

And that’s the win.



Here’s the part that matters for your business.

In non-lender work, you don’t get graded behind the scenes. You get judged directly by the person who paid you.

If I ignored her messages, argued with her over text, or got defensive, there’s a good chance I’m getting a one-star review and a couple of choice words floating around to her agent, her friends, whoever will listen.

Instead, I addressed it professionally, gave her time to cool off, and walked her through it.

Will she leave me a glowing five-star review? Probably not.

But she’s also not out there telling people I’m incompetent.

That’s the game.



Customer service in non-lender work isn’t about making people happy with the value. You can’t control that.

It’s about how you handle people when they’re not happy.

That means:

  • Not reacting emotionally when a client comes in hot
  • Slowing things down instead of escalating
  • Being willing to explain your work in plain English
  • Giving people a chance to feel heard

Because at the end of the day, your reputation isn’t built on your best reports.

It’s built on how you handle your toughest clients.



Non-lender work is a relationship business.

And sometimes that relationship gets tested the moment you hit “send” on the report.

Handle it right, and you protect your reputation. Handle it wrong, and one frustrated client can undo a lot of good work.

No pressure, right?

 

Every so often, a real estate agent or seller will call and say, “We’re thinking about listing the house. What should we list it for?”

 

That question sounds simple. It’s not.

 

Because what they’re really asking is not just, “What’s it worth?”
They’re asking:

  • What should we list it for?
  • How long will it take to sell?
  • What are buyers going to think when they walk through it?
  • Are we about to make a pricing mistake?

 

If you treat a listing appraisal like a standard mortgage appraisal and just drop a single point value on them, you’re missing the point.

 

Here’s how I handle it.

 

Step 1: Separate Market Value from Listing Strategy

 

Your appraised value is not automatically the recommended list price.

 

Every MLS system has a stat for list-to-sale price ratio, sometimes called the listing discount. It tells you how much properties typically sell for compared to their original list price.

 

If homes in that neighborhood are selling at 97% of list price, that means there’s roughly a 3% discount built into the market.

 

So if my opinion of market value is $210,000 and the average list-to-sale ratio is 97%, I’ll explain it like this:

  • Adjusted comparable sale range: $200,000 to $220,000
  • My opinion of market value: $210,000
  • Neighborhood listing discount: 3%
  • Recommended listing price: approximately $219,900

 

That’s what the agent and seller really want. A strategy, not just a number.

 

Step 2: Set Expectations on Days on Market

 

Next question every seller is thinking but not always saying:

 

“How long is this going to take?”

 

Again, the answer is sitting in your MLS.

 

If the average days on market in that segment is 30 to 50 days, say that. If it’s under 30 days, say that.

 

I’ll tell them:

 

“The typical marketing time in this price range is 20 to 50 days. In my opinion, the subject will likely fall within that range before going under contract.”

 

That conversation alone can save an agent from getting hammered with calls a week after going live.

 

You’re not just valuing the property. You’re helping set emotional expectations.

 

Step 3: Always Provide a Range

 

On listing assignments, I always provide a value range.

 

At the end of the day, I don’t control where it sells. Buyers do.

 

And you don’t need to overcomplicate this. The range is usually right there in your adjusted comparable sales.

 

If the adjusted sales range from $200,000 to $220,000, I’ll state:

 

“The adjusted comparable sales range from $200,000 to $220,000. In my opinion, the subject will likely sell within this range.”

 

Then I give my single point opinion.

 

Clean. Defensible. Transparent.

 

Step 4: Give Real-World Feedback from a Buyer’s Perspective

 

This is where listing appraisals become valuable.

 

If I’m on-site, I’m not just measuring and taking photos. I’m walking through the property thinking:

 

“How would a buyer react?”

 

Just this week, I walked into a smaller home packed with furniture. Nice updates, but clutter everywhere. It made the home feel tighter than it actually was.

 

My recommendation was simple:
Remove excess furniture. Clear countertops. Let the updates breathe.

 

Buyers will have the exact same reaction I had.

 

Another property looked great overall. Updated kitchen, clean floors. But the crown molding throughout the entire house wasn’t caulked. Gaps everywhere. My eyes went straight to it.

 

That’s not a remodel situation. That’s a Saturday project for a handyman.

 

I rarely recommend major renovations. The last thing you need is a seller tearing apart a bathroom three weeks before listing. Jobs get bigger. Budgets blow up. Deadlines get missed.

 

I focus on small, high-impact fixes that improve presentation and perception.

 

That’s what agents and sellers remember.

 

Go Beyond the Form

 

If all you do is hand over a report with a single value, you’re competing with every other appraiser.

 

If you provide:

  • A supported opinion of market value
  • A recommended list price based on actual list-to-sale ratios
  • Realistic marketing time expectations
  • Practical, buyer-focused feedback

 

Now you’re a resource.

 

And when you consistently approach listing appraisals this way, agents start referring you to other agents. Sellers walk away feeling informed instead of confused.

 

That’s how private work grows.

 

Want More Private Work?

 

If you want to learn how to build and grow a steady stream of private appraisal assignments like listing work, divorce appraisals, estate work, and more, join the Appraisal Referral Network.

 

We have over 1,500 appraisers nationwide, and our mission is simple: help you grow your private business.

 

Come build it with us.

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.

 

Real estate agents are an excellent source for private non-lending referrals. They frequently order pre-listing appraisals, appraisals for cash buyers, and home measurements. Agents also maintain extensive databases of prior customers who often seek their recommendations for various real estate needs. This often results in referrals for estates, date of death appraisals, probate, landlord/tenant sales, and much more. It’s clear that real estate agents are a valuable referral source for appraisers, but how do you connect with them? Here are a few top strategies to start building those connections today.

 

The easiest way to connect with agents in person is during appraisals. When you’re conducting your next lending assignment, invite the agent to join you at the property. Use this opportunity to discuss the property specifics, market trends, recent sales they provided, and more. This interaction opens the door for future conversations. Let them know you’re available to assist with any appraisal-related questions or issues they may encounter. Follow up with a friendly email afterwards: “It was great meeting you! I specialize in pre-listing appraisals, so if you ever need help determining a list price, feel free to reach out.” Add the agent to your database and regularly send marketing emails every week or two to stay connected.

 

If you’re currently without lending assignments and feeling slow, don’t fret! Start by searching Google for “real estate agents” and reach out to several via email. Invite them for coffee or lunch, whichever suits you both. Ask if you can pick their brains about the sales side or discuss new commission rules for buyers’ agents and their potential impacts. While not every agent may respond, this approach can help you begin forging meaningful connections.

Looking to increase your visibility and connect with more agents? Consider scheduling lunch and learns at local brokerages. Real estate offices are always eager for valuable content for their agents. You can start by contacting the office directly—either by phone or email. Here’s a simple template:

 

Dear Mr. Broker,

 

I am a real estate appraiser with over 20 years of experience in the area and I am currently booking free training sessions for agents on how to think like an appraiser. I would love to provide a training session at your office. Please let me know a date and time that works best for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

 

Best regards,

 

[Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

 

I typically collect agents’ contact information for follow-up, such as their name and email, and I’ll also send them a PDF of the presentation.  Then add them to your database and send regular marketing emails.  

 

Here are some straightforward methods to begin expanding your database with real estate agents. Soon enough, you’ll begin receiving referrals and making strides toward diversification. To learn additional strategies on how to connect agents, consider becoming an Elite Member at ReferAppraisals.com. Explore our latest educational micro-lessons on working with agents and access our resource library, which includes sample marketing emails to agents, office presentation materials, pre-listing flyers, and more.

 

Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com  

I want to share my experience from a recent listing appraisal and discuss my approach to these appraisals. I was hired by a seller who was selling their home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). FSBOs are an excellent source of business; if they’re not hiring an agent, they should at least hire an appraiser to avoid leaving money on the table. We’ve all seen the buying side of appraisals for lenders and noticed how much money sellers lose trying to avoid the 6% commission—saving that commission but listing $50,000 below market value.


On this assignment, the seller found me on Google. How do I know this? I make it a point to ask on every assignment, either during our phone conversation or through a question on the last page of my engagement letter. This is important because it helps me understand which marketing efforts are effective. If a seller mentions they were referred by someone, I always reach out to that person to send a thank-you message or card, expressing my appreciation for the referral.


For all listing appraisals, I evaluate the property from a potential buyer’s perspective and provide recommendations to the seller on necessary repairs or changes to make before showing the property. This is crucial because a house needs to show well in addition to being priced correctly.


On this listing appraisal, while observing the exterior, I noticed several issues: the front porch needed painting, the lawn was dead, and the windows and sides of the house were filled with cobwebs and needed pressure cleaning. Inside, there were sections of the ceiling that were yellow from an old smoke detector, dehumidifiers draining in the sink, and a wine cooler awkwardly placed in the middle of the seating area at the breakfast bar. I shared my feedback with the seller. In the past, I’ve even advised sellers to rent a POD to clear out personal items when the clutter is overwhelming. I am always honest with the seller because that’s what they are paying for. Additionally, I provide a list of recommendations in my report and email to them.


This house also had painted concrete floors throughout, except in the bathrooms. Given the $1.5 million price range, I was brutally honest with the seller and told him that I didn’t know if buyers in this price range would love or hate these floors. Having appraised over 10,000 homes, I could only recall one other with painted concrete floors, indicating this feature is not typical. I advised the seller to be prepared to either offer a credit for new flooring or install new flooring to avoid selling below market value. In the appraisal, I treated the painted floors as if they were simply dated flooring.


When doing a listing appraisal, appraisers need to be open and honest with sellers and provide candid feedback. While this goes above and beyond providing value, it’s what we are hired to do. Offering recommendations and suggesting minor changes can ultimately help sellers achieve the highest possible price for their home, which is their goal. And yes, I want the seller to get the highest price—not because of bias, but because it reflects a successful and thorough appraisal on listings.


Discover more about listing appraisals and other non-lender sources of business by joining ReferAppraisals.com.  In this micro lesson, I’ll reveal the top sources for listing appraisals and provide you with an email template to send to sellers along with the appraisal.


Dan Lindeman

Appraisal Referral Network

ReferAppraisals.com