One of the simplest ways to build a successful business is also one of the most overlooked: do what you say you’re going to do.
This week gave me two reminders of why that matters so much.
The first involved a pre-listing appraisal for an agent. Normally, I’m pretty good about tracking every quote and keeping notes from calls. But this time, I must have been in between things, because I didn’t write it down. A few days later, the agent called back and said she was ready to move forward. I went looking for my notes and realized I had nothing. So I asked her what I had quoted. She gave me a number that was lower than what I typically charge for that type of assignment.
Could I have pushed back? Sure. I could have said that didn’t sound right. I could have tried to raise the fee. But the truth is, I didn’t know for certain. Since I was the one who failed to document it, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and honored the quote she gave me.
The second situation was different. I quoted an appraisal on a property in an area I know well. Based on the initial information, it looked straightforward enough. Later, once I dug into the details, I realized the assignment was going to be far more complex than I originally thought. The scope was bigger, the time commitment was higher, and realistically I probably should have charged 30–40% more.
But I had already given my word.
Could I have called the client back and tried to increase the fee? Maybe. But I didn’t. If I tell someone I’m going to do something for a certain price, I believe that matters. In today’s world, too many people say what sounds good in the moment, then change course when things get inconvenient.
That may save you a few dollars today, but it costs you something far more valuable in the long run: trust.
Your reputation in this business is built in moments like these. It’s built when you hit deadlines. It’s built when you communicate clearly. And it’s built when you honor your word, even when it stings a little.
That doesn’t mean you should be careless. In fact, one of the biggest lessons for me this week was to tighten up my systems. Every quote should be documented. Every conversation should be tracked. Mistakes happen, but good systems help prevent unnecessary ones.
Still, when mistakes happen—and they will—how you respond says everything.
People remember when you do what you say you’re going to do. In a profession where credibility is everything, that matters more than squeezing every last dollar out of one assignment.
At the end of the day, your word is still one of the most valuable things you have. Protect it.
And if you want to learn more about building a successful non-lender appraisal business, take a look at the Appraisal Referral Network at ReferAppraisals.com. More than 1,600 appraisers are already part of the network. It’s a place to learn how to grow your non-lender business, receive referrals for assignments in your market, and earn referral fees on jobs you can’t take, don’t want to take, or that fall outside your area of expertise. If you’re serious about growing your business while protecting your reputation, it’s worth checking out.
