I am Daniel Lindeman, a full-time certified residential appraiser with over 20 years of experience. Based in South Florida, I reside with my wife and three children. My journey into the world of appraising began during college when I took on a role as an assistant in an appraisal office. Rapidly progressing to a trainee and certification a couple years later. All these years later I still love being an appraiser!
Initially, my focus was primarily on lender work. I signed up with as many appraisal management companies as possible and started receiving consistent business and was doing very well. However, that took an unexpected turn when Flagstar Bank placed me on a do-not-use list, which accounted for a significant portion of my income. Though initially challenging, this setback ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise. It prompted me to diversify my business by pursuing private and non-lending appraisals. This was not an easy feat, but this shift, made a decade ago has provided consistent work and stability, regardless of fluctuating interest rates and markets.
Operating as a sole proprietor, I handle approximately 400-500 appraisals annually, primarily servicing Broward County, Florida. My clientele comprises 80% non-lending assignments and 20% direct lending from various lenders. Given the current lending atmosphere and low volume for appraisers, I am eager to share my expertise with fellow appraisers on excelling in non-lending appraisals. This encompasses various aspects such as marketing strategies, client management, assignment types, valuable lessons, and practical tips through real-world examples.
Additionally, I recognized the need for a reliable peer to peer referral system within the appraisal community, and I’ve taken the initiative to establish one. Daily, I receive inquiries for non-lender assignments outside my expertise, coverage area, time sensitive, etc. To address this and provide my clients with excellent customer service, I routinely refer such business to other appraisers and collect a referral fee. I view this as a win-win. Referral fees are standard practice in many professions, so let’s make them common in ours. This will foster stronger connections among appraisers and help build a more cohesive appraisal community.
Noticing the lack of a formal peer-to-peer network for appraisers, I created a membership platform designed to connect appraisers. This site offers a private forum for asking questions, learning about the non-lender niche through real-world micro lessons, and, most importantly, sending and receiving non-lender referrals with ease. The platform simplifies the referral process by providing status updates, tracking, and instant payment to the referring appraiser upon completion of an appraisal. We have removed the administrative burdens, allowing appraisers to seamlessly exchange referrals and focus on their core business.
I invite fellow appraisers to join this community, create meaningful connections, earn more money, refine their non-lender appraisal skills, and ultimately expand their businesses.
Dan Lindeman
Appraisal Referral Network
ReferAppraisals.com
