The Appraisal Update - the official podcast of Appraiser eLearning

Join Bryan and our always-cheerful development director Jim Morrison (we call him J-Mo!) for a quick overview of Valuation Expo this August. Here are the Cliff's Notes: It's the biggest appraisal conference there is. You'll meet fellow appraisers and reps from the GSEs, AMCs, software companies, lenders, E&O insurance, education providers, and more. You'll get lots of CE and hear from speakers on big data, mobile tech, and UAD 3.6, which starts rolling out in September. And you'll have some fun along the way, at cocktail events, a cornhole tournament, the VE Open mini-golf competition, and numerous giveaways. Listen in to find out who's who and what's what at Valuation Expo this year. Valuation Expo, August 11-13, 2025Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV

Join Bryan Reynolds for a look back at ValExpo 2024 and conversations with three happy attendees, including a trainee and ADI scholarship winner who met potential supervisors and a TN appraiser who got on the VA panel after meeting with a VA rep at ValExpo two years ago. "The day they put me on their panel, my life changed," he said."Coming to this convention gets me around other appraisers. where I can hear their ideas. And all of a sudden, I don't feel like I'm a lone soldier out there making up my own rules. This place gives me education and competence." —Carl GrissomBig thanks to these folks for speaking with Bryan:Jeff Morley, certified general appraiser in UtahBeverly Ochieng, licensed appraisal assistant in Columbus, OHCarl Grissom, appraiser in Crossville, TN

In this episode, Bryan is joined by Jarrett Hardesty and Chris Stewart, MAI for a timely conversation on the importance of appraiser engagement and leadership.Chris shares insight on the monthly appraiser meetups he facilitates in Bowling Green, KY—creating space for local appraisers to discuss real issues and build community. Together, the three discuss their work with the newly formed Kentucky Association of Appraisers (KAA), how it's growing, and what they hope to accomplish for the profession.Whether you're looking to connect, collaborate, or make an impact, this episode is for you.

Bryan is back from the ACTS conference in Texas sporting a new custom hat — and a lot of new insights on the upcoming URAR changes. After teaching a class to over 100 attendees, he also gathered notes and updates from Fannie Mae representatives and software providers, which he'll be sharing in this episode. Plus, Brad Bassi, Hal Humphreys, and Bryan settled an important question: who has the biggest head? Tune in to hear the results, get the latest information on where you can access the Appraiser's Guide to the New URAR, and enjoy some fun facts about cowboy hats along the way.

Bryan returns from the ACTS conference and talks to the NAA Appraiser of the Year. Listen in to hear her story of how getting involved brings a feeling of giving back to the profession but also creates opportunities.

In the second of three planned interviews, Lyle Radke of Fannie Mae breaks down the importance of making market condition adjustments and gets into some of the specifics of what Fannie Mae expects of appraisers — and why."We're not going to nitpick the appraiser's analysis as to how much that time adjustment should be. But we are going to require that the appraiser do the analysis and talk about it, you know, disclose it in their report." —Lyle Radke

In part one of this interview series, Bryan sits down with Lyle Radke of Fannie Mae to talk about hybrid appraisals. For parts two and three, Lyle will come back and talk about market conditions adjustments and the new report (UAD and policy). 

What qualifies as a comparable? Listen in as Bryan breaks it down — with support from a few dictionaries and texts. In short, appraisers need to think twice before calling something comparable that isn't really comparable.

After doing more than 2,000 appraisal reviews over the years, Bryan and his team have seen the same errors crop up again and again. In this episode, he'll unpack the three most common mistakes appraisers make. Listen through to the end to hear the story of two lumberjacks who start and finish chopping wood at the same time, yet one manages to cut more wood despite taking a full hour break. How did he do it? Tune in to discover what these common mistakes are and how to avoid them — and hear a fun story that brings home a great life lesson.

Have you made a new year's resolution? Did you vow to exercise more, drink less, or spend more time with family? We all have big plans for changing ourselves in early January, but the reality is that most of us don't succeed. Is there a better way to change our habits than making a resolution on January 1st? Join Bryan as he suggests an alternative to absolutes.

Join Bryan and his guest, Hal Humphreys, as they reflect on (and laugh about) some of the most memorable moments of last year — the good, the bad, and the ugly. To listen to the Appraisal Buzzcast (Storyboard's sister podcast), go to Buzzsprout.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? A firefighter? A cowboy? A lot of kids don't even know what an appraiser is. Join Bryan and his guest Brad Bassi, a real cowboy-turned-appraiser in Temecula, CA. Brad shares his journey from focusing on mortgage-related appraisal work to specializing in private-party assignments like proposed construction, ranches, and litigation support.Curious about switching things up in your career? Tune in to hear Brad's story—and his thoughts on how to carve out a great niche in your appraisal practice. You can even meet up with Bryan and Brad at ACTS and learn how to really rope in new opportunities.Check out Brad's website here: https://www.strawhatent.com/

Sometimes, AI just makes stuff up. Bryan's guest, Hal Humphreys, has an incredible story about an AI tool that answered his research question with wholly fabricated studies — and then apologized for making them up.Who's accountable when AI fabricates information?  Should you “fire” AI? Tune in for this fascinating conversation that explores the boundaries of ethics, responsibility, and technology. You'll come away with a better grasp of whether AI can be a useful tool in your kit and how to avoid falling prey to its "hallucinations."

There's a lot of fear and anger floating around in the appraisal-world ether these days. But there's also plenty of hope and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, outrage is louder — it tends to drown out optimism.In this episode, Bryan sits down with a couple of the optimists: Jason and Eli, a father and son who share a passion for appraising. Join us as father and son share their thoughts on the pros and cons, what they love about the work, and their hopes for the future. Most of all, stay tuned for Eli's special message to anyone thinking about becoming an appraiser—you won't want to miss it.

"What do you want me to do? OK, boom, I'll do it."  This is a quote from Marcus Hill's book, Assessing My Value. It's also good advice for trainees, aspiring appraisers, and anyone who's seeking a mentor or a new opportunity. When Marcus launched his own firm in 2008, he was one of the youngest appraisal business owners in the South, amid a challenging market. He's also worked for Fannie Mae and is now a Forbes Home Advisory Board member. Listen in as Bryan asks Marcus about his against-the-odds journey to become an appraiser and his enthusiasm for giving back and inspiring others.See Marcus Hill's LinkedIn page here.

Join Bryan and his guest, software developer Jeff Bradford, as they discuss the end of appraisal forms and the new reports that are coming very soon. Jeff and Bryan also talk about new information recently published on Fannie Mae's website that will give you additional insight about the report. To learn more about the new UAD, see Jeff's video, "Building a Bridge to the Future."

Jamie Owen is one of the nicest appraisers around. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bryan and Jamie try to shed some light on the state of the profession and share creative ways to make more money.

Does FHFA's big announcement about expanding appraisal waiver eligibility signal the end for appraisers? Join Bryan's guests, Mark Verrett and Jeff Morley, to answer these questions. They'll also talk about their new podcast, "Market Moves with Mark and Jeff," and the newly announced timed outline for UAD. They might even predict who'll win the presidential election! By the time this goes live (we recorded the episode on 11/1), we'll know how their forecasting played out.

At the Appraisal Summit in September, Bryan met an aspiring appraiser who has listened to all of his podcast. After a gentle nudge, he encouraged her to be a guest on this episode. Listen in as she discusses her decision to become an appraiser, the obstacles she's encountered along the way, and the benefits of networking.

Fannie Mae is insisting that appraisers must have objective support for their adjustments, specifically for market conditions and gross living area. Guest host Hal Humphreys talks with Tim Andersen about how critical thinking leads to objectivity and helps appraisers comply with Fannie Mae guidelines and arrive at supportable conclusions.Want to avoid getting a deficiency letter from Fannie Mae? We've got a podcast AND a class for that. Listen in, then register for Tim Andersen and Scott Cullen's objectivity class on November 6th.Objectivity: Market Change and GLAWednesday, Nov. 6th

One of the biggest reasons that appraisers get disciplined is failing to support land value. If you have plenty of comparable land sales, developing an opinion of the land value is simple, But what if you're an appraiser in a built-up area with no recent land sales? Listen in as Bryan and guest Marty Wagar explore other ways to support your opinion, a topic Marty covers in his new course, "Supporting Land Value." In the second part, Bryan and Marty talk about the S&L crisis, the 2008 mortgage meltdown, and how those events have influenced where the appraisal industry is headed—all of which Marty covers in his course, "The Past, Present, and Future of the Mortgage Appraisal." Take both courses at Appraiser eLearning.Next session of Supporting Land Value is Thursday, October 24th.Next session of The Past, Present, and Future of the Mortgage Appraisal is Tues.-Wed., Oct. 29th & 30th.

Want to meet potential new clients and get more orders immediately?Come to an appraiser conference! In August, Bryan set up his mic at Valuation Expo and interviewed lots of attendees, including working appraisers, trainees, lenders, AMCs, and lots of other folks whose work intersects with appraisal services. Listen in and hear what they had to say about why they attend Val Expo and other conferences. Pay special attention to the West Tennessee appraiser who snagged two new orders to start on as soon as he got home. Big thanks to Shane Lynch, Courtney Daniels, Jessica Jenkins-Tome, and Steve Albert for speaking with us.Your next chance to attend a conference is in April:Appraiser's Conference & Trade Show (ACTS)April 5th-8th, 2025 |  San Antonio, TX

Taston Sick is a licensed appraiser in Northern Colorado who works in the family residential appraisal business. After attending ACTS and the Appraisal Summit, he and his sister Ellie decided to make a big change in how their firm does appraisals. Listen in to hear how Taston and Ellie adopted new tech for data collection and reporting.  It was probably scary and overwhelming at the outset, but now they wouldn't go back.

We've been hearing the rumblings: Some appraisers believe the end is near for the appraisal profession. Listen in as Bryan and his guest Simon Blackburn discredit that notion. Blackburn is founder and CEO of MtgeFi, a company that forecasts mortgage trends. In the episode, he discusses his recent article, "Top 10 Reasons Appraisals Are Here to Stay and Critical to U.S. and Global Markets."

In this special edition of the Appraisal Update podcast, guest host Hal Humphreys asks economist Mark Calabria to explain what the Fed's .5% interest rate cut means for mortgage markets, homebuyers, and appraisers.Calabria is a senior adviser to the Cato Institute, former director of FHFA, and the author of Shelter from the Storm: How a Covid Mortgage Meltdown Was Averted.

In this episode, Bryan tackles a hot topic from a practicing appraiser: the appropriate form for final inspections on new constructions for FHA loans. He provides a detailed answer based on HUD policy and also delves into a compelling "What If?" scenario that could reshape your approach.But that's not all! Bryan also shares exciting insights from his recent visit to Fannie Mae's Headquarters in Dallas. Discover firsthand what's on the horizon, including the significant move towards the imminent new UAD, which will replace all existing appraisal forms.Tune in for essential guidance and updates that could impact your practice!

Let's talk about change — and not the jingle in your pockets. Change is coming in the appraisal world, likely the biggest change ever for residential appraising. The new UAD is finally in sight. The train is coming. Are you getting on board or letting it pass by? Listen in as Bryan interviews someone who knows all about how we resist change and ways we can learn to adapt. In fact, he wrote the book on it.MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career, by Jason FeiferThe Appraisal Summit 2024September 14-17, Planet Hollywood, Las Vegasappraisalsummit.net

We've been going on and on about conferences all summer. Next week, one's actually happening. Why do folks get so fired up about Valuation Expo and the Appraisal Summit, our two premier summer conferences in Vegas? Listen in as Bryan asks several Summit attendees — both veterans and newbies — why they love coming together with their peers, and what they take away from these events.TAKE YOUR PICK:Valuation Expo 2024August 19th-21st, Caesars Palace, Las Vegasvaluationexpo.comThe Appraisal Summit 2024September 14-17, Planet Hollywood, Las Vegasappraisalsummit.net

Valuation Expo is making waves! As Jim says, we've "Shaken Things Up." There's also an exciting new app we're introducing. Join Bryan along with guest Jim Morrison and AEL's super guru Doug Hayes as they delve into the latest updates and explain why you should attend, even if it's just for one day. Jim calls it "Vegas in a Day!"Valuation Expo 2024August 19th-21st, Caesars Palace, Las Vegasvaluationexpo.com

As an experienced appraiser, you've likely encountered some challenging inspection scenarios. Tune in to this episode, where Jason Covington recounts a terrifying and potentially deadly encounter with an armed homeowner. Find out how he managed the situation, and hear Bryan and Jason's post-mortem (not literal), including some practical advice for appraisers on how to avoid similar incidents. 

Do you need to hire a helper? You probably think you can't afford one in this market. But what if a helper could get you more business—AND was more affordable than you think?Join Bryan Reynolds and his guest, Sean Connolly of Scale Virtually, as they discuss an out-of-the-box approach to getting some much-needed help.

So far, appraisers haven't had much guidance about how to handle short-term rental assignments. How do you appraise them? Are you supposed to estimate the income and put it on the 1007 form?Stop what you're doing (especially if you're using the 1007), because we finally have some guidance. A recent Fannie Mae Update stated clearly:  "Form 1007 cannot be used to estimate the nightly fee for an STR."Listen in as Bryan asks Fannie Mae chief appraiser, Lyle Radke, for more detail about how to appraise STRs.

If a review appraiser or investigator examines your appraisal report, are you confident it will stand the test? Will you be able to communicate why you did what you did?Join Bryan Reynolds and his guest Mel Black—attorney, appraiser, and AQB-certified USPAP instructor—as they explore answers to these questions. Don't miss this episode about defending your work, meeting USPAP minimum requirements, best practices, and more.

One of the biggest challenges to becoming an appraiser is finding a supervisor/mentor. Appraisers face a similar problem when trying to upgrade from a certified residential to a certified general real property appraiser. Another major obstacle, for some, is the lack of a college degree. Could this change soon? Listen in as Bryan and his guest, Brad Swinney, Chair AQB, discuss this real possibility of another change to the criteria. The decision makers want to hear from you. Make your opinion count.See the Appraisal Foundation's website to read their Concept Paper - Assessment of College Degree Requirements Within the Criteria

The whole eastern US is red-hot right now — and so, apparently, was one listener after Bryan's last episode. This week he apologizes to the offended party and reflects on our very human fear of change, and looks forward to our next smoking-hot conference in Las Vegas — Valuation Expo on August 19-21. Hear fellow appraisers share why they love coming together

Do you still use a clipboard and a tape measure, or have you advanced to a laser and a tablet? Is there a better and easier way to measure than using a Disto? Listen in while Bryan speaks with Joel Baker from CoreLogic / a la mode to discuss a la mode's new Scan to Sketch app for measuring houses and dropping the results into a report.

Join Bryan and his friend and colleague Jason Covington, a first-time attendee of ICORE, as they discuss his impressions of the event. Hear whether the reality matched his expectations, and find out what he felt and took away from this experience.

Bryan breaks down support for a gross rent multiplier (GRM) and offers more reasoning for more why a specific number was chosen. Listen in as Bryan gives some ideas to use in your practice for supporting your opinions.

Join Bryan Reynolds and his business partner Hal Humphreys for some simple, real-world examples of how to determine economic life and effective age — in less than 20 minutes!

My brother rode along with me while I did a repair inspection, heard an interesting story from the homeowner (go see the video on our AEL  instagram feed) and then had a quick lunch. On the way back to Owensboro, he said, "Do you think someone is a jerk if they correct you?" And that immediately made me wonder what I was doing wrong.Listen in as my brother provides feedback to help me, not hurt me. We all have room for improvement!ACTS Conference, April 20-23, 2024AeL Instagram feed: @appraiserelearning

When's the last time you got together with other appraisers? Listen in to what appraisers and aspiring appraisers have to say about learning from one another as well as the tremendous networking opportunities they discover by spending time with their colleagues.Big thanks to Summit attendees who agreed to be interviewed: Ellie McManus, Taston Sick, Kenton Sick, Sidney Loiseau, Jeff Bradford, Allison Rodriguez, Sierra Alden, & Sidney Lovelace.Want to attend a conference this year? Register for one or all of these:ACTS, April 20-23, 2024Valuation Expo, August 19-21, 2024The Appraisal Summit, September 14-17, 2024

In this first episode of 2024, AeL partners Bryan and Hal talk about personal triumphs and tragedies from 2023 and look forward to new courses, live events, and industry-wide policy discussions planned for the coming year.Want to attend a conference next year? Register for one or all of these:ACTS, April 20-23, 2024Valuation Expo, August, 2024The Appraisal Summit, September, 2024

The number one challenge in becoming an appraiser is finding a supervisor ... until now. Most states have adopted an alternative path to becoming a state-credentialed real property appraiser: Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA). The AQB created PAREA as an alternative to the old supervisor/trainee method for logging experience. And just recently, the Appraisal Institute began offering their PAREA program.Join Bryan and his guest Jack Zix, an aspiring appraiser who's going through PAREA right now. Listen in as Jack talks about his journey, including how the program works and what he likes and dislikes about it. Click here to learn more about PAREA and how it works.

When's the last time you spent time around a group of appraisers? Probably once a year when you take CE, and now it might just be virtual. Listen in to what appraisers and aspiring appraisers have to say about learning from one another as well as the tremendous networking opportunities they discover by getting together with other appraisers.Big thanks to Summit attendees who agreed to be interviewed:Ken "Big Fish" Williams, Jordan Chapman, Kharon Brown, Kyle Paquin, Katya Borisova, Nikki Smith, Selyna Ball, and Scott Cullen.  (More coming soon in subsequent episodes)Want to attend a conference next year? Register for one or all of these:ACTS, April 20-23, 2024Valuation Expo, August, 2024The Appraisal Summit, September, 2024

USPAP. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. FHA. Dodd-Frank. FIRREA. There are so many rules, regulations, guidelines, and laws appraisers have to follow, it can make your head ache. Listen in to Bryan's conversation with Jeff Morley, chair of Utah's Appraisal Licensing and Certification Board, about how to navigate all those rules and avoid the kinds of common appraisal mistakes that can lead to complaints against appraisers. Tune into our YouTube channel on November 30 for a full hourlong webinar with Jeff Morley and Bryan Reynolds, as they dive deeper into regulations, common errors, and protecting yourself from complaints.

Join Bryan and his business partner Hal Humphreys, host of the Appraisal Buzzcast, as they share a few ghost stories:Hear about the famous case of the Haunted House on the Hudson and the "Ghostbusters Ruling,” a legal opinion stating that "as a matter of law, the house is haunted."Find out how real estate agents deal with houses that just feel "off" — by hiring "home energy cleaners" to perform  exorcism rituals.Learn what a "real estate damage economics" specialist meant when he said, "I don't believe in ghosts, but I believe in markets."Don't miss this thrilling, chilling episode about superstition and stigma and perception, perception, perception.Check out Bryan's Nov. 6 course on this topic: Appraising Limited Market Properties

How do you support your appraisal adjustments ... or DO you? In order to make market based adjustments, don't you have to analyze the actions of market participants? Please say yes. There's more to supporting your opinion than plotted sales and trend lines. What we call "the market" is really just people making decisions about buying homes. And those decisions aren't always rational.  Join Bryan and his guest Brent Bowen as they discuss Brent's fascinating new course that takes human psychology into account. Check out "Creating Formulas That Work" in the Appraiser eLearning catalog.*note: The next session of Brent's class will be live via Zoom on October 31st:Creating Formulas That Work, 10/31/23

Is AI taking over the world? Not quite yet. But even now, AI can definitely be helpful to businesses willing to embrace change. Bryan sits down with Tony Pistilli to talk about a company that uses technology to "look" inside houses and identify the objects and materials it sees.

Bryan speaks with guest Luke Tomaszewski, CEO of ProxyPics, about another service that can assist appraisers — and potentially provide opportunities for appraisers and trainees who might need some work.

Bryan sits down with the Michelle Bradley, Chair of the ASB, to talk about the 2024 Edition of USPAP. What are the changes, and when is it coming out? What's the ASB working on now? These questions and many more are answered during this interview. 

Bryan sits down with Shawn Telford, chief appraiser with CoreLogic. Listen in as they discuss technology in the appraisal profession and engage in a deep conversation of the much anticipated Practical Application of Real Estate Appraisal, PAREA, which is now being offered as an alternative to the traditional trainee/supervisor path to gain experience to become a licensed or certified real property appraiser. You won't want to miss this conversation.