This Isn’t Your Fault
Aug 14, 2025
There’s a difference between being a business owner and being a technician—and if you’re like 95% of appraisers out there, you were never taught to be the former.
And that’s not your fault.
Most of us learned appraisal the traditional way: boots on the ground, riding along with a mentor, learning to measure homes, pull comps, and write credible reports. But how many of us were taught to run a business? To manage overhead, build scalable systems, or think like a CEO?
Very few.
Why? Because even our mentors were usually just technicians—highly skilled, experienced, hard-working—but not business owners. And so the cycle continued. I spent years working 60–70 hours a week, barely scraping by after taxes, overhead, and other expenses. At one point, I was so embarrassed by my car that I wouldn’t park in front of a subject property. I knew something had to change.
The shift began when I stopped asking, “How can I work harder?” and started asking, “How can I work smarter?”
If you’re feeling stuck—overworked, underpaid, and overwhelmed—you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay there. With the right coaching and mindset, you can transition from technician to true business owner. That’s what I help appraisers do every day. If you’re ready to start building a business that supports your life—instead of the other way around—let’s talk.
Check out The Appraiser Coach Podcast for more info on this topic:
