Appraisers On Purpose

Hosted by Michael Hobbs

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143

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Oct 2026

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The Appraisers on Purpose Podcast showcases inspiring appraisers and professionals from the industry who are leaders in their field. How did they get to where they are? What have they learned along the way? And what do they do now for their teams, their clients, and the industry? Your host is real estate investor, seriel entrepreneur, and appraiser Michael Hobbs.

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October 9, 2026Episode 256 min

Malinda Griffin | How Appraisers Build Client Relationships That Last

What makes a client remember their appraiser ten years later? Malinda Griffin joins Appraisers on Purpose to share how listening during one farm inspection built a client relationship that lasted roughly a decade. She reminds us that the care we bring to an assignment can leave a lasting impression.Malinda offers practical lessons for building trust, protecting credibility, and managing change. She explains why referring an assignment can preserve a relationship, how fresh eyes can catch report errors, and why learning a new reporting format doesn’t require changing every part of our workflow at once.One story especially stayed with me. While appraising a 400-acre farm, Malinda spent two and a half hours riding through the property with its widowed owner. He shared memories of his wife and the land they had cared for together. Years later, his daughter called for an updated appraisal because her father had specifically asked the family to contact Malinda again.That willingness to help also shaped her approach to mentorship and professional leadership. From supporting trainees to getting involved in appraisal associations, Malinda encourages us to participate in the decisions affecting our careers. She also shares how she approached her first UAD 3.6 report by pairing new learning with familiar inspection methods.For those of us running an appraisal practice, this conversation offers useful ways to strengthen client service, approach unfamiliar assignments honestly, and explore potential specialties through continuing education. Malinda’s experience shows how relationships and continued learning can support a rewarding career.Watch the full Appraisers on Purpose conversation with Malinda Griffin for stories and practical advice you can bring to your next assignment.𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀00:00 Meet Malinda Griffin00:54 An unexpected path into appraisal05:56 Paving the way on the state board09:37 Compassion and the 400-acre farm15:30 Learning UAD 3.6 one step at a time17:37 Templates, cloning, and fresh eyes23:51 Relationships and choosing the right clients26:49 Competence, mentorship, and honest referrals32:19 From solo practice to professional involvement43:23 Giving back, learning, and shaping the futureMalinda’s farm story stayed with me because the owner remembered her willingness to listen long after the inspection was over. His family knew whom to call when they needed help again.We all face deadlines, travel time, and reports waiting at the desk. Even within those demands, we can make room to understand what a client is going through.What is one small change you could make on your next assignment to help a client feel heard?How are you building the kind of trust that brings people back to your practice? Join the conversation with PahRoo.Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

September 30, 2026Episode 151 min

Tim Wilmath | The $2,500 Appraisal Problem

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀.Tim Wilmath joins Appraisers on Purpose to ask a question our profession cannot afford to ignore: Why are appraisers still completing complex assignments for fees that have barely changed in decades? Tim describes seeing a current engagement letter for a shopping center appraisal priced at $2,500 and wondering how the profession got here.But this conversation goes well beyond fees. Tim’s career shows what can happen when we keep developing our expertise instead of letting the market define our value. He moved from residential appraisal into commercial valuation, earned his SRA and MAI designations, worked in eminent domain and litigation, built his own practice, entered the assessment world, handled property tax appeals, and led teams through major changes in technology and workflow.Tim has also been willing to change direction when the opportunity made sense. He started his own commercial appraisal business, learned firsthand how important client relationships are to business value, and discovered entirely new sides of valuation through assessment and property tax work. His experience is a reminder that specialization can create opportunities we may never encounter if we stay inside the same lane.Some of Tim’s most valuable career opportunities came from sharing what he knew. He volunteered to speak at industry conferences, turned difficult tax appeal assignments into presentations, and transformed his work on a major league sports arena into a published article that continued generating calls years later. There is a useful lesson for all of us here: the knowledge we gain from an assignment can have value long after the report is delivered.And after decades in the profession, Tim remains optimistic about what comes next. While technology and AI may change parts of appraisal, his view is that complex commercial work, assessment appeals, litigation, eminent domain, and expert testimony continue to create meaningful opportunities for skilled appraisers. Instead of competing only on fee, where can we build expertise that clients cannot easily treat as a commodity?If you want to rethink how you price your work, develop specialized expertise, create new professional opportunities, and build an appraisal career that can keep evolving, watch or listen to the full conversation with Tim Wilmath on Appraisers on Purpose.𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀00:00 Meet Tim Wilmath01:02 How Tim Found the Appraisal Profession11:12 Moving From Residential to Commercial16:26 Discovering Eminent Domain and Litigation18:50 Earning the MAI and Going Out on His Own20:19 The $2,500 Appraisal Problem26:21 Building a Commercial Appraisal Business32:28 Discovering Property Tax Appeals37:50 How Sharing Expertise Created New Opportunities48:46 Reinventing His Career Again54:20 AI, Specialization, and the Future of AppraisalTim’s career raises a bigger question than whether $2,500 is the right fee for a shopping center appraisal.What happens when we spend years improving our expertise, taking on greater complexity, and becoming better professionals, but never reconsider how we value that expertise?We can keep doing business the way it has always been done, or we can take a closer look at where we compete, what we specialize in, how we build relationships, and what kind of appraisal career we want to create.What part of your appraisal practice are you still valuing the same way you did years ago?Is your expertise growing faster than your appraisal fees?Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

August 12, 2026Episode 1050 min

Scott Reuter | The Role of Appraisers in Lending, Risk, and Finance

Your appraisal matters more when you understand what happens next. Scott Reuter joins Appraisers on Purpose to explain why an appraisal is not the final decision. It is one part of a much larger risk conversation involving lenders, investors, secondary markets, portfolio managers, and other stakeholders who rely on credible valuation to make better decisions. For appraisers, that perspective can change how we approach the work. When we understand why an appraisal was ordered, how it will be used, and what risk the client is trying to evaluate, we can communicate more clearly, reduce avoidable revisions, improve client service, and produce work that is more useful beyond the value conclusion itself. Scott brings an unusually broad view of the profession. His career took him from fee appraisal and condemnation work into banking, GE Consumer Finance, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and other institutional roles. Along the way, he saw firsthand how a single appraisal can become part of lending decisions, securitization, portfolio management, loan sales, and broader risk analysis. He also shares how exposure to Six Sigma at GE changed the way he thinks about process. Breaking workflows apart, questioning unnecessary steps, reducing variability, and looking for better ways to work became habits he carried forward. For appraisal professionals, that mindset can translate into stronger systems, fewer errors, more consistent work, and a business that does not depend on doing everything the same way simply because that is how it has always been done. Scott is also optimistic about where the profession is heading. He believes appraisal is changing dramatically, but he does not see change as a reason to retreat. New technology, new data standards, related valuation roles, and new entry points into the profession may create opportunities that do not look exactly like the appraisal careers we know today. For those of us building careers and businesses in valuation, the lesson is practical. We can become more valuable by understanding the decision behind the assignment, learning more about our clients’ businesses, improving our processes, and staying open to how the profession continues to evolve. Watch the full episode of Appraisers on Purpose to hear Scott Reuter’s perspective on risk, process improvement, career growth, and why he remains bullish on the future of appraisal. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 00:00 Meet Scott Reuter 00:46 Growing up in an appraisal family 05:29 Entering the profession during a difficult market 10:35 From fee appraisal into banking 20:24 Understanding how banks use appraisals 25:24 Why appraisal is really about risk 41:11 Why Scott is bullish on the future of appraisal Many of us were trained to focus on producing a credible appraisal and delivering it to the client. Scott’s story is a reminder that the report is often only the beginning of the decision-making process. The more we understand what happens after delivery, the better we can serve the people relying on our work. And the more willing we are to question our systems, learn how clients think about risk, and stay open to change, the more durable our careers can become. Are we simply completing appraisal assignments, or are we learning enough about the decisions behind them to become more valuable advisors? What could change if you started looking at every appraisal through the client’s risk decision? Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

August 5, 2026Episode 951 min

Jessie Ruckel | Why Appraiser Competency Matters More Than Ever

Your strongest client relationships may begin with how you treat appraisers. Jessie Ruckel joins Appraisers on Purpose to explain why putting appraisers first can lead to better reports, stronger client service, and more trust in the final value conclusion.Her experience shows that quality does not begin at delivery. It begins with the right assignment, the right competency, clear expectations, strong communication, and a professional relationship built on respect. For appraisers, that can mean fewer revisions, less friction, better workflow, and more confidence in the work we produce.Jessie’s perspective comes from every side of the profession. She started as an intern learning to verify facts at the courthouse, moved into staff appraisal and review work at a lending institution, built her own appraisal practice, and later helped grow a major Central Texas firm. Each role reinforced the same lesson: credible work depends on people who are properly supported and prepared.That lesson became central to iAppraisal. When clients asked for the same quality outside Central Texas, Jessie saw an opportunity to build something different. Rather than treating appraisers as interchangeable names on a panel, she focused on competency, communication, trust, and long-term partnerships.For those of us building appraisal careers or firms, the practical value is clear. Better assignment decisions can reduce costly mistakes. Stronger professional relationships can improve client retention. Thoughtful review can sharpen our reporting. Understanding how clients use our work can help us communicate more effectively and protect our credibility.Watch or listen to the full episode of Appraisers on Purpose to hear how Jessie Ruckel turned mentorship, relationships, and careful professional judgment into a sustainable approach to appraisal leadership and business growth. Video Chapters 00:00 How Jessie Found Appraisal by Accident11:50 The Lesson That Shaped Her Career18:33 What Reviewing Appraisals Taught Her24:23 Why Competency Starts Before the Assignment37:53 The Leap From Employee to Business Owner41:38 Leaving Ohio to Chase Bigger Growth46:45 Building iAppraisal Around Appraisers51:37 Why Relationships Still Drive the FutureJessie’s story raises an important question about how we build quality in this profession.Are we focusing only on faster turn times and completed orders, or are we creating the conditions that allow appraisers to do credible work the first time?Better service does not come from squeezing more out of people. It comes from choosing the right professionals, supporting sound judgment, and building trust on both sides of the assignment.What would improve in your business if appraisers were treated as long-term partners instead of interchangeable vendors?What could change if stronger appraiser relationships became your competitive advantage?Start here: https://www.pahroo.com Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube: Appraisers On Purpose

July 22, 2026Episode 71 hr 3 min

Mark Verrett | How to Build a Faster, Scalable Appraisal Business

Speed is not the enemy of quality when the right systems are in place. Mark Verrett joins Appraisers on Purpose to explain why faster appraisal delivery does not have to mean rushed analysis, weaker reports, or lower standards. His experience building a national residential appraisal firm shows that speed often comes from better preparation, clearer roles, and stronger processes around the appraiser. For appraisers, that creates a real business advantage. Better workflow can reduce administrative drag, improve consistency, shorten turnaround times, and free us to spend more time on judgment, analysis, and client service. Mark makes the case that the goal is not to push appraisers harder. It is to build a business that supports them better. His path started in his father’s appraisal office, where he helped assemble reports and saw early how parts of the process could be delegated. From there, he trained friends to become appraisers, explored appraisal technology, helped build a cloud-based report writer, and eventually helped shape a national firm operating across multiple markets. Today, his team averages delivery in under three days, with 65 percent of reports completed on the same day as the inspection. Mark also shares why he believes the profession may be heading toward a period of too much work and too few appraisers. As order volume returns, firms with reliable systems, strong leadership, and the ability to serve clients consistently may be in the best position to grow. He also reflects on AI, modernization, volunteer leadership, and the broader role appraisers can play in shaping the future of the profession. The value for us is practical. This episode offers a clearer way to think about delegation, service, scale, and professional responsibility. It can help us identify where time is being lost, where revisions or delays are being created, and where a better process could improve both quality and profitability. Watch or listen to the full episode of Appraisers on Purpose to hear how Mark Verrett built a career around experimentation, leadership, and the belief that appraisal businesses can work differently. Podcast Chapters: 00:00 Meet Mark Verrett 07:56 From baseball to appraisal 14:37 Building an appraisal team 19:42 Rethinking systems and workflow 27:59 Solving national client problems 32:58 Appraising after major floods 38:50 Speed without sacrificing quality 48:47 The future of appraisal and leadershipAre we really losing time because appraisal work requires it, or because we have accepted inefficient systems for too long? Mark’s story is a reminder that speed does not come from cutting corners. It comes from preparing earlier, assigning work more thoughtfully, and giving appraisers the support they need to do their highest-value work. What part of your appraisal process could be redesigned without compromising quality? Where could stronger systems take your appraisal practice? Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

July 1, 2026Episode 41 hr 1 min

Robert Oglesby | Why Service Is Still the Strongest Appraisal Brand

The strongest appraisal brands are built on trust, not speed. In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Michael Hobbs sits down with Robert Oglesby to talk about what it really takes to build lasting value in the appraisal profession.Robert’s journey spans military service, residential appraisal, business ownership, appraisal management, team building, and eventually exiting a valuation company. His story is a reminder for appraisers everywhere: the future does not belong only to the fastest or cheapest provider. It belongs to those who create clarity, confidence, and trust.Top 3 Takeaways from This Episode:1. Service is still your strongest appraisal brandClients may hire us for the report, but they remember how we guide them through the process.2. Growth requires the right peopleRobert shares why building a strong team changed what was possible in his appraisal business.3. Change creates opportunityFrom HVCC to AMCs to today’s technology shifts, Robert shows how appraisers can adapt without losing their professional value.This episode is for appraisers who want to grow beyond the report, build stronger client relationships, lead better teams, and stay valuable in a changing valuation industry.Watch the full conversation with Robert Oglesby and discover how service, trust, and leadership can help appraisers build businesses that last.Question for appraisers:What do you think clients remember most, the report, the value, or the experience?===========Curious where appraisal is heading?Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy Connect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X TikTok YouTube Appraisal On Purpose

June 24, 2026Episode 354 min

Drew MacDonnell | The Future Needs Better Appraisers

The appraisers who adapt fastest may have the biggest advantage. The appraisal industry is changing fast.AI, new forms, shifting lender expectations, DSCR loans, specialization, and alternative appraisal work are forcing appraisers to ask a real question:Where do we fit in the future?In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Michael Hobbs sits down with Drew MacDonnell to talk about why adaptable appraisers have every reason to be hopeful.Drew’s path into appraisal was anything but traditional. Before building his appraisal career, he worked around hardware stores, invested in real estate, owned bed-and-breakfast properties, dealt with historic buildings, and learned firsthand how property value works from the owner’s side.That experience shaped how he approaches appraisal today.In this conversation, Drew shares how appraisers can:• Turn change into opportunity• Use real-world property experience as a competitive advantage• Build trust with investors, lenders, and referral partners• Think beyond traditional lending work• Stay curious in a profession that keeps evolvingThis episode is a reminder that the future of appraisal is not just about forms, tools, or technology.It is about appraisers who keep learning, keep adapting, and keep finding ways to bring real value to the people they serve.Watch the full conversation with Drew MacDonnell and discover why the future may belong to the appraisers willing to think differently.Curious where appraisal is heading?Start here: https://www.pahroo.comConnect with Michael Hobbs and follow PahRoo for more conversations like this: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X TikTok

May 13, 2026Episode 754 min

Heather D Hardy | Turning Appraisal Skills Into Real Estate Wealth

What if your appraisal skills could do more than earn a paycheck they could help build your future? In our latest “ Appraisers on Purpose ” podcast episode, appraiser, realtor, and investor Heather D Hardy shares a hopeful reminder: appraisal skills are not just business tools they are wealth-building tools. Instead of seeing valuation knowledge as something used only inside reports, Heather shows how appraisers can apply that same expertise to spot opportunity, evaluate risk, and make smarter real estate decisions for themselves. From buying duplexes and triplexes to improving value-add properties, her story reveals how market knowledge can become a pathway to more freedom, stability, and long-term options. Beyond appraisal work, Heather encourages appraisers to think bigger about the knowledge they already have. She has used her experience across appraisal, brokerage, and investing to build income streams, reduce living expenses, and create a real estate portfolio with purpose. For Heather, this isn’t about chasing quick wins. It’s about staying active, walking properties, understanding neighborhoods, and using what we already know to build something lasting. Tune in to this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose” to hear Heather D Hardy’s inspiring perspective on using appraisal expertise not just to value real estate—but to create a more secure and hopeful future. Curious where appraisal is heading? Start here: https://www.pahroo.com

May 6, 2026Episode 61 hr 3 min

Clarence Cundiff | What Appraisers Can Learn from Real-World Investment Risk

What if appraising is your greatest investing advantage? In our latest “ Appraisers on Purpose ” podcast episode, seasoned appraiser and investor Clarence Cundiff challenges a belief many appraisers quietly accept: that appraisal work is only a career, not a wealth-building advantage. Instead, Clarence argues that appraisers sit in one of the most powerful positions in real estate. By analyzing thousands of properties, market trends, and investment decisions over time, appraisers develop a unique ability to spot opportunity long before others do. From renovating student rentals near the University of Kentucky to buying an 11-unit apartment property with creativity, hustle, and strategic risk-taking, Clarence shares how resourcefulness, not massive capital, helped him steadily build long-term wealth. Beyond investing, Clarence highlights the hidden value of the profession itself. For him, appraisal isn’t just about writing reports, it’s about gaining access to knowledge, relationships, and real-world lessons that can shape an entirely different future. Tune in to this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose” to hear Clarence Cundiff’s perspective on risk, investing, and why the appraisers who think differently are the ones who thrive. Curious where appraisal is heading? Start here: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy

April 29, 2026Episode 544 min

Sandra Fioretti Loughlin | Turning Appraisal Skills Into Real Estate Wealth

What if your appraisal skills could unlock real wealth, not just reports? In our latest “Appraisers on Purpose” podcast episode, seasoned appraiser and investor Sandra Fioretti Loughlin challenges a quiet assumption many in the industry hold: that appraisers are limited to observing the market, not participating in it. Instead, Sandra reveals a more hopeful reality appraisers already possess a powerful advantage. With deep knowledge of valuation, market trends, and risk, they’re uniquely positioned to step into real estate investing with greater confidence and clarity. But she doesn’t stop there. Sandra shares how her first fix-and-flip deal wasn’t about making money, it was about building experience. From underwriting deals to managing renovations, she highlights the importance of learning through action, partnering with the right people, and embracing the process, even when things don’t go perfectly. For Sandra, this journey is bigger than profit. It’s about growth, confidence, and recognizing that appraisers can do more than analyze opportunities they can create them. Tune in to this episode of “ Appraisers on Purpose ” to hear Sandra Fioretti Loughlin’s perspective on turning appraisal expertise into real-world opportunity and taking the first step toward building wealth beyond the report. Curious where appraisal is heading? Start here: Pahroo Appraisal & Consultancy Website

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