Here's our true story of appraising in Minnesota. I started appraising in 1999. From 2002 to 2005 I had grown my business and had a great database of loan officers sending me appraisal orders. I had 8 appraisers on staff plus 2 office employees. Then, everything changed. My phone was ringing less and less. My fax machine stopped humming and spitting out orders. And my “team” dwindled to just myself and my wife…

But, I wasn’t going to go down without a fight! I came up with a new game plan.

Now, its nearly the end of 2008 and I have redefined my business model. Each month my company is grossing more than $12,000 in appraisal business! Next year, I project that I will increase my gross revenue again.

You can, too! There's no magic bullet, its just honest, hard work, doing what I love - appraising homes and being my own boss.

If you want to email me to find out how we did it, you can.
deedee AT appraisalclientlists DOT com

Make 2009 a GREAT year!

There are always 2 sides to the pancake. That’s something we say around here a lot. No matter how flat you make it, there’s still 2 sides.

That’s the case with the economic news. Seems like each time I turn on the news, its all doom and gloom. But, there’s another point of view, too.

For example, the news is that interest rates on 30 year mortgages are at levels they haven’t been at in 35+ years. There are folks who are going to refinance, and other folks who are going to buy. And, those folks will need a mortgage. If folks need a mortgage, they’re going to have to have an appraisal.

What is interesting, is that many people are going to the “Big Dogs” for their mortgages – well known lenders. And, in turn the major lenders are using AMCs to order the appraisals. Some appraisers don’t want to work for AMCs. We aren’t one of them. There is a need for an appraiser, and we’d like to be the appraiser chosen. We’ll gladly take the work. As an appraiser, you’ve got to be on an approved list for the AMCs who are placing orders.

Another item which has gotten some press coverage is the level of foreclosures. That’s not new news, but the information that 60 Minutes shared was that there will be even more foreclosures in 2009 than there were this year. Which, again means that there will be a demand for appraisals. But, as an appraiser, you need to know where to get those orders. You have to be on the roster of appraisers that REO firms choose from.

We started offering our AMC and REO systems to other appraisers just one week ago. Since that time, we’ve heard from so many appraisers who WANT to be busy, who WANT to be doing the appraisals that need to be done. Its so exciting to “chat” with these appraisers.

Of course, there are some skeptics out there. People often react with skepticism when they are uncertain about things. There’s plenty to be uncertain about in the world today.

But, you can add some sense of stability. From now until Christmas Eve, December 24, we’re offering readers of the this forum discounts of 20% on our AMC or REO systems (including lists of 140 AMCs and 50 REO firms). The discount code is FORUM.

Keep watching the news – but keep in mind that there’s always another way to think about it.

Merry Christmas.
Appraisal Client Systems

Posted by Justcurious:

Israeli tourists may not have many alternatives. On the other hand, it is good to see that religious things do not affect too much where a Jew wants to go. I could have imagined Cyprus the Greek part was more popular.

So how is it with alternatives in Finland. Any chance you have visited that village in Poland starting with "A?" You know the one which your allies in Berlin built?

Ya Saudi, any recomendation for Oud ensembles? I have some from Iraq and Turkey and Iran of course. Ive heard some Sudanese stuff but its no were near the art of Turkish and Iranian maqaam technique IMO. Any Saudi or Gulf bands? The Iraqi stuff Ive heard is pretty good. We had a Jewish guy from Basra I think Hakki Ovadia and he was excellent, but elderly now.

I have an LLC operating for about two years and would like to establish a credit history. Any suggestions to accomplish this? Currently, the only business financial entity is a checking account. I have not found a bank offering secured business credit cards. I am considering personally co-signing on a business loan.

Value determinations are most commonly needed to calculate estate tax upon death, split up family assets in a divorce, and negotiate value in a purchase, sale or merger of a business enterprise

How about affiliate marketing like Pampered Chef or Usborne Childrens Books where you perform product demonstrations and sales? There are similar opportunities on the web where you circulate traffic on the web for business opportunities.

be happy and love. kiss

Thanks for sharing.