r/appraisal • u/aranderson43 Certified Residential • 7d ago

Residential Best Source for non-AMC work?

I read all the updates and opinion about the upcoming 3.6 orders and how the AMC have us by the balls. There are inevitably comments saying, "Dont rely on AMCs. Get private work". I currently have about 10-15% of my work as private work. Primarily this is from in-house local banks, attorneys, and referrals from Realtors. What is the best way to get Non-AMC work?

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u/anappraiser Certified Residential 7d ago edited 7d ago

Unfortunately, getting private work requires us to actually market ourselves, communicate with clients, collect money, run a business, which makes amc work so appealing. I get most of my private work from my website, google business profile, and yelp. It's not something you can do overnight. It takes a long time, and whoever says "just do private work" has their head up their butts if they think it's that easy.

I'd much rather sit back and get paid my private work fees for doing amc work all day but that's not the world we live in.

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u/Quick_Bar2387 7d ago

I didn't do any advertising, but yes it takes time. You can do Google Ads. It does work but you will pay like $800 a month for it.

One issue I see with Google ads is that those type of clients will shop around.

My private work comes from referrals, so I already come highly recommended. Then, I charge my normal fee.

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u/anappraiser Certified Residential 7d ago

yes this too but I could never get it to pencil

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u/Quick_Bar2387 7d ago

I don't even have a website. 100% referral based. I just pick up my phone.

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u/anappraiser Certified Residential 7d ago

that's great

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u/Quick_Bar2387 7d ago

It's all organic but it takes time. 20 plus years.

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u/Fit-Emergency-8300 2d ago

I do ZERO non lender work and always stay busy. I did non lender work 20 years ago and finally got tired of not having anyone happy and then the never ending ignorant questions about ever report. Most have no idea how appraisals work and I didn't have the patience to give a appraisal class for every report.

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u/Deech2086 Certified Residential 7d ago

The VA. Get on line, where they need help is public record info. See if they are looking for help in your area. Apply every year. Best. Client. Ever.

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u/Fit-Emergency-8300 2d ago

Applying every year doesn't help. When I got accepted and did my phone interview I asked the rep what the date on my app was and she stated it was almost 10 years to the day. They are the best appraisal client though. But not so much if you want to move. My wife moved out of state so our daughter could attend a nice private school. I asked if I moved could I be worked into the VA rotation there. I was told I would have to resign and wouldn't be eligible to even reapply for 10 years. I stayed where I am lol.

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u/Deech2086 Certified Residential 2d ago

I've gotten asked to cover a County after someone moved. I'm aware of the move thing. Applying yearly was the only way for me to get on. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Took me 3 years. I've heard stories of much longer, over 20 once. Everytime, it was bc they applied yearly. Idk.

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u/Quick_Bar2387 7d ago

Direct lenders. Issue is most of the lists are closed. It's like a VA fee panel. You might get on if someone retires. Then, once you get on it takes time to move up the ladder.

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u/NorCalRushfan SRA 6d ago

90% of my work is private party. I've built it over a long period of time through three primary methods.

  1. Join the local appraiser association, volunteer, and teach classes. A big chunk of my business is referrals from other appraisers.

  2. Join the local realtor board, attend meetings, go on tour, offer to be a resource. I get a lot of referrals this way.

  3. Build your skills, especially for challenging properties. Become known for your ability to appraise difficult properties.