For the past 10 years, I’ve made a deliberate effort to expand the private side of my appraisal business. During this time, I’ve established strong connections with agents and attorneys while enhancing my online presence. By consistently delivering high-quality appraisals and exceptional customer service, I’ve built a solid reputation. As a result, I’m fortunate to enjoy a steady stream of business from both agents and various attorneys, along with a strong online presence that generates a constant flow of inquiries and potential assignments.
My goal is always to go above and beyond for my clients and anyone who reaches out to me. Delivering excellent customer service means helping them, even when I can’t take on the assignment myself. Whether they need an appraisal outside my coverage area, a commercial appraisal, something time-sensitive, or a job I choose not to take, I make sure to let them know I can’t personally handle it but can connect them with another qualified appraiser or two. I approach it this way because they’ve come to me with a problem, and offering a solution or pointing them in the right direction is, to me, the essence of great customer service.
Offering this level of service has earned me numerous 5-star Google reviews, even from people who simply called for advice and didn’t end up needing an appraisal. Clients always appreciate being connected with another appraiser when I can’t take on their assignment, and as a result, they keep coming back to me whenever they need anything appraisal-related. I’ve built a reputation for being helpful no matter the situation.
When I first started referring clients to other appraisers, I didn’t know many outside of my mentors. I had to network, meet other appraisers, and learn about their specialties, coverage areas, and business practices. This way, when a client needed an appraisal I couldn’t handle, I could confidently tell them, “I don’t do commercial work, but I know a great appraiser who can help. Would you like me to connect you?” From there, I ensured the client was in good hands and taken care of.
At first, I believed that if I sent out enough referrals, the favor would eventually be returned. However, I found myself giving out far more referrals than I was receiving. That’s when I started requesting a referral fee for successful appraisals. After all, attorneys and agents ask for referral fees—why shouldn’t appraisers? I discovered that most appraisers were open to paying a referral fee, typically 10-15%, and they had complete control over the fee they quoted. Over the years, I’ve referred hundreds of appraisals to both local and national appraisers, creating an additional stream of monthly income. Would you like to add a new revenue stream to your private appraisal business?
This idea led to the creation of the Appraisal Referral Network—a platform designed to help appraisers connect with each other and exchange non-lender referrals. The appraiser who takes on the assignment earns the appraisal fee, while the referring appraiser receives a referral fee. It’s a win-win. The platform is free to join, and you can start accepting referrals from other members right away. We also offer a paid version that allows appraisers to earn a 12% referral fee when they refer an appraisal. Plus, the paid version provides access to non-lender lessons packed with actionable tips to help you grow your private appraisal business.
Dan Lindeman
Appraisal Referral Network
