Complaining Won’t Grow Your Business—But Action Will

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.