My Journey to Location Independence
Aug 07, 2025
About four years ago, I set a bold goal: to become fully location independent in my work. I didn’t just want flexibility in my schedule—I wanted the freedom to work wherever I chose. Whether it was in my Idaho office or on a beach in Belize, the goal wasn’t necessarily to travel constantly—it was to have the ability to do so.
Of course, the biggest obstacle for any appraiser is the inspection. As long as I had to be physically present for that part of the job, I wasn’t truly free. So I got strategic. I narrowed my client list down to the “A” and “B+” clients—those who allowed a well-trained team member to handle inspections while I completed credible, USPAP-compliant reports from anywhere.
The final leap? Saying goodbye to FHA and VA work. That decision didn’t come easy—it took courage. But once I stepped off those panels, the weight lifted. I had finally achieved the freedom I’d been planning for.
This journey wasn’t luck. It was a combination of preparation, strategy, and risk-taking. If location independence (or any other large leap) is your goal, ask yourself: what’s holding you back? Whether it’s rethinking your client list, investing in systems, or embracing data collection models, change is possible.
And if your goal is different? That’s okay. The bigger lesson here is this: design your business to support your ideal life.
Check out The Appraiser Coach Podcast for more info on this topic:
