Price Like a Commodity. Become One.

Decades of low appraisal fees converted expertise into discounted professional labor. Scarcity mindset drives a constant need to keep work flowing, no matter the cost. It feels productive. Full pipeline, busy team, quick wins. The rationale is idle appraisers are worse than low fees. That’s totally understandable. Ironically, banks want high quality. The problem is […]

Get to it

“I’m going to retire because of UAD 3.6. I’m done.” “I don’t want to learn AI to improve my commercial appraisal firm efficiency.” These are conversations going on right now. The old way isn’t wrong. It’s just becoming inefficient. And the new way, let’s be honest, takes real effort. Not just learning a new tool. […]

The Shift Is Here. Resistance Is Too.

“I’m going to retire because of UAD 3.6. I’m done.” “I don’t want to learn AI to improve my commercial appraisal firm efficiency.” These are conversations going on right now. The old way isn’t wrong. It’s just becoming inefficient. And the new way, let’s be honest, takes real effort. Not just learning a new tool. […]

Who’s a Good Boy?

What my Doberman Buddha taught me about commercial appraisers. Most people misunderstand Dobermans. They assume aggression. But Dobermans weren’t bred for violence. They were bred for intelligence, loyalty and quiet vigilance. Over the years we’ve had a few: Daubo, Boston (140 lb Warlock), Cain and now Buddha. They all share the same traits. They stare […]

CRE Genius Lives with the People Who Value It

Appraisers see a staggering amount of deal flow, yet few investors tap their genius. We spend our lives analyzing thousands of rent rolls, sniffing out dubious P&Ls, plowing through dense leases and building complex DCFs. We have conversations with property ownership filtering their words like a detective seeking the truth. So I asked a few experienced […]

Stop Hesitating. Take Your Shot.

No appraiser has said, “It’s okay if I get this wrong.” Hiring that next person, implementing tech, stepping into leadership. Appraisers are elite overthinkers. We literally get paid to think twice. Excel spreadsheet thinking: decisions reduced to columns of pros and cons. Clean. Rational. Safe. And sometimes blind to productivity, efficiency and the fun of […]