On November 5th, 2025, I officially became an empty nester. My last son left the house, and I'll be honest—it's been quite an adjustment. The house is quieter, there are fewer dishes in the sink, and I no longer have to negotiate for control of keys to the pickup truck. But what's been most significant is how this transition has allowed me more time to focus on business and the future.

With this newfound time and mental space, I'm excited about some things coming up with The Appraiser Coach. Having the flexibility to dive deeper into coaching and other projects without the daily demands of active parenting has been liberating in ways I didn't expect.

This life transition has also given me a fresh perspective on the importance of building a business that can adapt to different seasons of life. Whether you're in the thick of raising kids, caring for aging parents, or transitioning into a new phase like I am, your business should support your life, not control it.

Let's talk about tax preparation strategies for appraisers. I recently met with two different CPAs because this year is going to be a huge tax payment burden for me, mainly due to the fact that I sold half of my short-term rentals and now have significant capital gains tax to deal with.

The reason I met with two different CPAs is because I wanted a second opinion, just like you would get when facing a serious medical diagnosis. Both of my CPAs knew that I was meeting with the other one—I wasn't trying to hide anything. I just think it's a good idea to utilize professional opinions and bounce ideas off of one another. The investment in two consultations was minimal compared to the potential tax savings and peace of mind.

Here's what I learned, and more importantly, here are some specific strategies for self-employed business owners, specifically appraisers, on how you might be able to lessen your tax burden and set yourself up for the long run.

First, maximize your business deductions. As appraisers, we have unique opportunities that many self-employed professionals don't. Your home office deduction can be substantial if you're doing it right. Don't just claim a corner of your bedroom—if you have a dedicated space that's used exclusively for business, claim it. This includes not just the square footage, but a percentage of your utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs.

Vehicle expenses are huge for appraisers. You can either track actual expenses or use the standard mileage rate, but whichever you choose, be consistent and keep meticulous records. I recommend a mileage tracking app that automatically logs your business trips. The time saved in record-keeping is worth the small monthly fee.

Equipment purchases can be deducted immediately under Section 179, rather than depreciated over several years. That new laptop, camera equipment, measuring tools, or software subscriptions—all of these can typically be written off in the year you purchase them.

Consider establishing a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k). As a self-employed appraiser, you can contribute significantly more to retirement accounts than traditional employees. For 2025, you can contribute up to 25% of your net self-employment earnings to a SEP-IRA, with a maximum of $70,000. A Solo 401(k) might allow even higher contributions if you're earning substantial income.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are triple tax-advantaged if you have a high-deductible health plan. Contributions are deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. After age 65, you can withdraw for any purpose and only pay regular income tax, making it essentially another retirement account.

Quarterly estimated tax payments are crucial. Don't wait until April to deal with your tax burden. Work with your CPA to calculate what you should be paying quarterly to avoid underpayment penalties. This also helps with cash flow management throughout the year.

Consider the timing of income and expenses. If you're having a high-income year, you might want to accelerate some business expenses into the current year or defer some income to the following year if possible. This is where having a good CPA relationship pays off—they can help you strategize based on your specific situation.

Business entity structure matters. Many appraisers operate as sole proprietors, but depending on your income level, forming an LLC or S-Corporation might provide tax advantages. The self-employment tax savings alone could justify the additional complexity and costs.

Keep immaculate records. This can't be overstated. Use accounting software like QuickBooks or similar, and categorize everything properly. Take photos of receipts immediately and store them digitally. The time you spend on organization throughout the year will save you money and stress during tax season.

Finally, don't try to do this alone. Yes, tax preparation software has gotten sophisticated, but as a business owner with multiple income streams and complex deductions, the cost of a good CPA pays for itself. They know deductions you don't, they understand the latest tax law changes, and they can provide strategic advice that goes beyond just filing your return.

Point #1: AI Browsers - ChatGPT and Perplexity
Instead of using Google Chrome for everything, try the dedicated browsers for ChatGPT and Perplexity. These aren't just different interfaces—they're fundamentally different experiences. The ChatGPT browser integrates seamlessly with your conversation history and allows for more fluid, contextual interactions. Perplexity's browser is designed specifically for research, providing cited sources and follow-up questions that help you dig deeper into topics. Unlike Chrome, where you're searching and then trying to synthesize information from multiple sources, these AI browsers understand context and can maintain complex conversations while providing reliable, sourced information.

Point #2: Alex Hermozi's Productivity System
There's a video titled "If You Struggle With Focus, Try My Productivity System" by Alex Hermozi, and the best advice he gave was, "I am a d*** with my time." The concept is about being ruthlessly protective of your time and not apologizing for it. He explains how successful people guard their time like their most valuable asset—because it is. This means saying no to meetings that don't serve your goals, batching similar tasks together, and being intentional about every commitment you make. It's not about being rude; it's about being strategic with the one resource you can never get back.

Let's focus on holiday networking strategies, specifically the importance of visiting your local clients and delivering gift baskets. But here's the key—you need to be unique because there are lots of gift baskets being delivered and lots of Christmas cards being sent right now. You want to stand out, and it also gives you an opportunity to get in front of the people that you talk to on the phone all the time.

Instead of the typical fruit and cheese basket that every other vendor is sending, think about what would be memorable and useful. I've seen appraisers deliver coffee and pastries from a local bakery with a note saying "Fuel for your busy season." Others have created custom gift boxes with local specialties that represent their area—something that shows thought and local connection.

The timing matters too. Don't wait until the week before Christmas when everyone else is making their rounds. Early December is perfect because you're ahead of the crowd, and people are in a good mood but not yet overwhelmed with holiday obligations.

Make it personal. If you know someone in the office loves a particular coffee shop or has mentioned a hobby, incorporate that into your gift. The fact that you remembered and took the time to personalize it will make a lasting impression.

Use this as an opportunity for face-to-face relationship building. Don't just drop off the gift and leave. Plan to spend 10-15 minutes catching up, asking about their year, and discussing what's coming up in 2026. These conversations often lead to insights about their business needs and opportunities for you to provide additional value.

Bring business cards and maybe a small piece of marketing material, but don't make it the focus. The gift and the relationship are the focus. The business development happens naturally when people like and trust you.

Follow up after the holidays with a thank-you note for their business throughout the year. This two-touch approach—the holiday visit plus the follow-up—keeps you top of mind as they're planning their vendor relationships for the new year.

Consider bringing something for the entire office to share, not just the decision-maker. The receptionist and support staff often have more influence than you realize, and they definitely remember who treats them well.

Document your visits. Keep notes about what you learned, who you met, and any follow-up actions needed. This information becomes valuable for future relationship building and business development efforts. 

Let's talk about using December as preparation time rather than panic time, and not letting seasonal slowdowns create anxiety. I want to share a personal story because I think many of you can relate to this.

I always get worried this time of year because coaching slows down—people are spending more time with their families and getting prepared for the holidays. My short-term rentals come to an almost standstill. With the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends, we're pretty much dead, and I have to rely on whatever I saved up during the summer.

Appraisal work typically has off and on weeks during this season, but more off weeks than on weeks, probably for the same reasons. And the farm is obviously shut down for the winter, so I'm basically living off of savings, and it always freaks me out.

But then I have to step back and realize that it's a cyclical thing—seasonality happens. This anxiety I feel every December is the same anxiety I felt last December, and the December before that. And you know what? I made it through every single time.

The key is reframing this time period. Instead of seeing December as a month where everything slows down and income drops, see it as preparation time. This is when you can work on your business instead of just in your business. This is when you can plan for 2026, organize your systems, update your marketing materials, and think strategically about where you want to take your practice.

Use this slower period to your advantage. Catch up on continuing education. Organize your files and systems. Reach out to past clients. Plan your marketing calendar for the new year. Research new tools and technologies that could improve your efficiency.

The businesses that thrive are the ones that use the quiet seasons to prepare for the busy seasons. While your competitors are panicking about the slowdown, you can be positioning yourself to hit the ground running in January.

Remember, seasonal anxiety is normal, but it doesn't have to be paralyzing. Acknowledge it, plan for it, and use it as motivation to prepare rather than panic.

Now go create some value!