How Tyler Warne Turned Appraisals into Ownership — And Why You Can Too.In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Tyler Warne delivers a powerful wake-up call: appraisers shouldn’t just value deals they should own them.Rather than treating appraising as the ceiling, Tyler sees it as a launchpad. With years of entrepreneurial grit and a sharp eye for data, he leveraged his valuation skills to build a thriving commercial real estate portfolio, broker deals, and even buy out a firm.Tyler shares how he stair-stepped out of a staff role, used his appraisal income and relationships to secure equity in projects, and turned one $50K investment into a portfolio worth millions.But this isn’t just about Tyler’s wins.It’s about the path forward for every appraiser willing to look beyond the report to see the relationships, the insights, and the opportunities they’re already sitting on.Tune in to hear how appraisers can shift from behind the scenes to leading the deal and why the richest person at the table should be you.
If today’s episode got you thinking differently about what’s possible in real estate, we’d love to help you take the next step.
Whether you need a rock-solid appraisal, expert insight, or a trusted partner to guide your property decisions — we’re here for it.
Learn more at www.pahroo.com — and let’s build something smart, together.
Before she helped shape appraisal policy, she almost starved the chickens.In this inspiring episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Lisa Desmarais shares her extraordinary journey, from pig farms and Shakespeare to writing the standards that shape the appraisal profession.Lisa reminds us that success in this industry isn’t about having a perfect résumé or linear path, it’s about curiosity, resilience, and the courage to say yes before you feel ready.She reveals how embracing complexity, not avoiding it, led her to lead 400-page valuation studies and help rewrite industry standards. And how USPAP’s flexibility gave her the freedom to grow into opportunities that once felt far beyond reach.But what stands out most is her message of hope: that there is room for every kind of thinker in this field, and that even the most non-traditional path can lead to impact.Tune in to hear Lisa Desmarais’s deeply personal and empowering take on what it really means to grow, lead, and thrive in today’s appraisal profession.Need clarity on a complex appraisal? Visit us at www.pahroo.com, we thrive on the work others avoid.
What do you learn when your first appraisals are in a collapsing market? Everything.In our latest “Appraisers on Purpose” podcast episode, James Graber shares a surprising truth: even in the middle of chaos, appraisal can be a career of stability, growth, and impact.James began his career just as the 2008 financial crisis hit. No comps. No certainty. Just fractured condos, falling knives, and hard lessons. But instead of retreating, he leaned in—and learned how to lead.Now, with decades of experience, James believes the profession is more promising than ever. He shares how mastering the fundamentals, staying client-focused, and adapting to new technologies have opened doors to national leadership roles.For James, the future of appraisal belongs to those who see it as more than a job, it’s a chance to grow, lead, and build something that lasts.
Can appraisal be your smartest career move even if it’s not your forever job?In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” Jourdan Sullivan proves that appraisal isn’t just a job, it’s a launchpad.She didn’t set out to be an appraiser. But by leaning into the discipline, she fast-tracked her MAI designation in under four years and built deep expertise in multifamily assets, experience that opened doors far beyond appraisal.Jourdan shares how valuation taught her to think like a strategist, not just a technician. From hedge funds to healthcare real estate, her story shows how mastering appraisal fundamentals creates lifelong leverage, no matter where you go next.More importantly, she reminds us that even if you don’t stay in appraisal, it can still shape the best parts of your career.Tune in to hear a refreshing, real-world perspective on why entering appraisal might just be the smartest move you didn’t plan for and how to make the most of it while you’re in it.
What if losing your biggest client became the best thing that ever happened to your business?In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” veteran appraiser Dan Lindeman shares how a major client loss became the catalyst for building the business he actually wanted.When a $70,000/year AMC client suddenly dropped him, Dan didn’t panic—he pivoted. That single moment pushed him to build a diversified appraisal business that now thrives on private work, referrals, and professional relationships.Dan shares how joining a local networking group, refining his soft skills, and building comfort in new sectors like divorce and estate appraisal helped him grow a business that's not just busy, but balanced.For Dan, this isn’t just a comeback story. It’s a roadmap for appraisers who want more control, better clients, and a business that doesn't rely on a single point of failure.Tune in to hear how Dan Lindeman transformed his mindset and his income, by thinking like a business owner, not just a technician.Want to learn more or request an appraisal?Visit us at www.pahroo.com — your trusted partner in accurate, timely, and insightful real estate valuation.
Before the bubble burst, someone had to sign off on the value.In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Matt Jenkins reveals a surprising truth: your appraisal doesn't end when you hit "send."With over two decades of experience scaling appraisal firms and navigating capital markets, Matt shares how appraisers are more than form-fillers, they’re critical contributors in high-stakes financial decisions. From tie-outs to securitizations, your report could be the reason a loan stays in the pool or gets rejected.But that’s not all. Matt unpacks how a “startup mindset” helped him lead through rapid growth, product innovation, and industry change. His optimism about the future is contagious: AI, automation, and modernization aren’t threats, they’re tools for increasing revenue, reducing revisions, and improving the quality of life for appraisers who are willing to evolve.For Matt, staying curious, responsive, and adaptable isn’t just smart, it’s essential for staying in the game.🎧 Tune in now to hear Matt Jenkins’ powerful perspective on what it takes to not just survive, but thrive, in the new era of real estate valuation.
He walked away from burnout and built a career that saves both communities and dinner time.In this powerful episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” Eric Roman shares how a soul-crushing moment at the dinner table pushed him to rethink everything.What followed was a complete career transformation from burnout in fee-split chaos to purpose-driven work in the public sector.Eric now appraises properties most professionals only dream of: the Golden Gate Park, the bottom of the San Francisco Bay, missile ranges, and military bases. But more than that, he’s found balance, meaning, and impact in work that protects both public infrastructure and private property rights.He explains how right-of-way appraisal work, often overlooked, isn't just a job. It’s a chance to be the bridge between community needs and fairness for property owners.Eric also opens up about mentoring the next generation of appraisers, finding purpose through the Civil Air Patrol, and why working in public service offers more than a steady paycheck, it offers legacy.Tune in to hear Eric Roman’s inspiring path toward building a career with dignity, freedom, and deep-rooted value.
Two appraisals. One property. $8 million apart.
That kind of gap didn’t just raise eyebrows, it helped break the system in 2008.In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Ken De Feo pulls back the curtain on the wild inconsistencies in appraisal during the lead-up to the financial crisis and why some of those same risks are still lurking today.
Ken has seen it all: subprime chaos, default servicing, asset review, and now, he's helping lead the charge on UAD 3.6, the appraisal modernization project that might actually fix what’s broken.
Inside the episode:
▪️The $8M value gap that made Ken's team stop in their tracks
▪️How appraisal inconsistencies fueled the 2008 collapse
▪️Why UAD 3.6 could bring clarity, not more complexity
▪️What appraisers need to understand about how their reports are used downstream
If you think the appraisal report ends when you hit submit, this episode will change that. And if you’ve ever been blamed for a number someone else manipulated you'll feel seen.
Listen why Ken believes the best days of this profession are still ahead.
She started as a researcher. She ended up leading appraisal quality across the Americas.
In this uplifting episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Becci Curry shares how curiosity not credentials can be the key to building an extraordinary career in appraisal.Becci didn’t follow a traditional path. From helping her dad with legal descriptions at 11, to becoming Chief Appraiser at 35 while raising two kids, her story is filled with real-world lessons on growth, leadership, and finding your voice in a quiet profession.But what truly sets Becci apart is how she thinks.She doesn’t just complete assignments she builds systems, asks hard questions, and constantly looks for ways to improve the work around her.Now overseeing quality and risk management across North and South America for CBRE, Becci reflects on how:Small firms taught her resourcefulness.Sponsors (not just mentors) opened doors.And remote work gave her the clarity to design a career that fits her life.Her message? You don’t have to wait to be chosen. You can create your own lane and bring others with you.🎧 Tune in to hear how Becci Curry turned relentless curiosity into one of the most inspiring appraisal careers we’ve ever featured.
Brent doesn’t chase clients anymore, he outlasted the collapse, and now they chase him.In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” expert appraiser Brent Henry shares how a career he never planned for became a path to leadership, credibility, and legacy in the valuation world.Brought into the profession by family tradition, Brent started by holding the measuring tape, but ended up building appraisals that hold up in court. Today, 90% of his work comes from complex, high-stakes litigation cases.His secret? A relentless focus on building better reports, telling the full story, and never settling for “good enough.”But Brent isn’t just looking back, he’s looking forward. He’s mentoring younger appraisers, offering courtroom exposure, and showing that there’s a future in this business beyond AMC grind and burnout.If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more to appraisal than chasing forms and fees, this episode will give you a hopeful, powerful roadmap.Tune in to hear Brent Henry’s journey and how appraisers can build meaningful careers that outlast the trends.
Appraisals pay the bills. Vision builds the business.
In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, David Ziccardi shares how an ill-timed investment during the 2008 crash sparked a bigger journey, one that led from doing reports to running a real business.
David doesn’t just talk about appraisals—he talks about building a career that scales.
From working under four supervisors just to get certified, to growing a 40% non-lender client base and mentoring trainees, his story is packed with lessons for every appraiser who’s feeling stuck.
You’ll learn:
This episode is for appraisers who are ready to shift from surviving to leading, and want to do it with purpose.
🎧 Listen now and see what happens when vision drives your valuation business.
What if the most important kind of appraisal is the one you’ve never heard of?
In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” Bwembya Chikolwa shines a light on one of the appraisal world’s best-kept secrets: unitary appraisal—the valuation of sprawling, network-heavy assets like railroads, pipelines, and telecom infrastructure.Far from obscure, this niche is essential—yet few appraisers even know it exists. Bwembya believes that’s a problem—and an opportunity. With over 25 years of public service and international experience, he argues that appraisers who bridge real estate and finance can play a bigger role in shaping tax policy and infrastructure valuation.But it’s not just about technical knowledge. For Bwembya, adaptability is the superpower. His journey—from Zambia to Australia to the U.S.—proves that navigating uncertainty isn’t a setback; it’s a strength.He’s hopeful that more appraisers will explore this high-impact path—and he’s calling on appraisal organizations to finally recognize and train for it.Tune in to this episode to hear how Bwembya Chikolwa is reframing the future of appraisal—and inviting others to build it with him.
Can appraisers shape the future or are they stuck reacting to it?
Chris Williams has an answer.In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” tech-savvy appraiser and valuation innovator Chris Williams flips the script on what it means to be an appraiser in today’s world of rapid transformation.Chris doesn’t see AI, MISMO, or modernization as threats. He sees them as building blocks. With a unique background in both appraisal and enterprise IT (Cisco, EMC), Chris brings a refreshing perspective: we can shape the tools—not be replaced by them.He shares how appraisers can thrive by:• Embracing technology as a collaborator, not a competitor• Reclaiming value through direct relationships with lenders• Using their expertise to build tax-free wealth through sweat equity• Blending analytical rigor with creative thinking. Yes, math and art togetherFor Chris, this moment isn’t about survival, it’s about impact. Appraisers aren’t being pushed out. They’re being invited to lead.Tune in to hear Chris Williams’ inspiring roadmap for navigating change, seizing opportunity, and redefining what it means to be indispensable in a modern market.
Want to write better reports? Start by reading the worst ones.In this episode of Appraisers on Purpose, Matt Cowan shares an unexpected truth: the path to becoming a better appraiser often starts with reviewing the worst of our industry.Matt’s journey spanning hurricane zones, forensic reviews, and modernization pilots proves that chaos isn’t something to fear; it’s something to grow through. Whether he was inspecting disaster-struck properties or digging into flawed appraisals during the recession, Matt learned to find clarity where others saw confusion.But this episode isn’t just about weathering storms. It’s about evolving through them.For Matt, success came from saying “yes” before he felt ready and trusting that learning would follow. He champions modernization, not as a threat, but as a tool to create more consistency and restore public trust in the profession.This is an episode full of hard-won wisdom and hopeful perspective.If you’ve ever questioned whether your skills still matter in a changing industry, Matt’s story will remind you why they do.🎧 Tune in to hear Matt Cowan’s inspiring journey and practical take on thriving through change.
What do Fannie Mae, a rock band, and the 2008 crash have in common?
Technology won’t replace appraisers, but appraisers who use tech will.
In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” longtime industry insider Greg Ritter pulls back the curtain on a powerful truth: appraisers don’t have to stay in the field to make an impact they can help shape the future of the industry itself.
Greg shares how his journey from residential appraising in Florida to managing valuation operations inside banks and AMCs opened up unexpected opportunities. Instead of fearing change, he embraced it from adapting to private lending’s fast pace to collaborating on AI-driven tools like Cloud Underwriter.
But his core message is clear: appraisers who evolve, collaborate, and communicate clearly are the ones who thrive. Whether it’s interpreting complex data or helping internal teams understand reports, Greg reminds us that judgment not just data defines a great appraiser.
Tune in to this inspiring episode to hear Greg Ritter’s hopeful vision for what’s next in valuation and how each of us can help build it.
When’s the last time someone reviewed yourwork?
In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” longtime reviewer and appraiser Susan Alley challenges the traditional path into the profession and offers a surprising alternative.
Having reviewed thousands of reports from appraisers across the country, Susan believes that most appraisers are flying solo and that’s exactly the problem. Isolation breeds blind spots. And feedback, she argues, is the fastest path to excellence.
Rather than entering the field through a single supervisor’s lens, Susan suggests trainees should begin by reviewing a range of reports. It’s a radical idea but one rooted in her deep experience and a genuine desire to elevate the profession.
But Susan’s story is more than theory. From burnout to rebuilding, from staff appraiser to founder of her own national review firm, she proves that reinvention is always possible. She shares how connection, generosity, and community have been key to both personal growth and professional resilience.
Tune in to hear Susan’s refreshingly hopeful take on how the appraisal industry can evolve together.
What if the key to a 40-year career in appraisal isn’t grinding harder but thinking smarter?In this inspiring episode of Appraisers on Purpose, industry veteran Scott Voltz shares how he built a lasting, trusted appraisal practice through bold focus, investor-level thinking, and a deep belief in showing up when it matters most.
Scott didn’t chase every assignment or market trend. He built a career by specializing geographically staking his claim in a part of northern Los Angeles County and becoming the go-to expert. That single move set him apart and insulated his business for decades, including during the 1994 Northridge earthquake when no one else could reach the area.
But Scott’s perspective goes deeper. Drawing from early experience in real estate syndication, he brings an investor's mindset to every valuation. It’s not just about accuracy it’s about understanding how clients think, and why trust beats transaction.
For Scott, appraisal isn’t just a profession. It’s a calling grounded in trust, shaped by resilience, and proven over time.
Tune in to hear how Scott Voltz built a business that lasts and how you can, too.
He stepped into appraisal during the 2008 crash—and stayed to lead.
In this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” Danyl Collings proves that you don’t have to be born into the appraisal world to thrive in it.
Starting in public relations and real estate sales, Danyl stepped into the industry during the 2008 financial collapse—managing a team before he was even certified. Instead of faking his way through, he leaned in, studied hard, and earned the credibility he felt his team deserved.
For Danyl, it wasn’t about having the right resume—it was about having the right mindset. He built his success through communication, humility, and a deep belief in mentorship.
Now, as the leader of his own firm, he’s solving one of the industry’s biggest challenges: the trainee pipeline. His method? Structured learning, clear expectations, and a refusal to gatekeep.
Danyl’s story is a refreshing reminder that appraisal is a profession where second acts and fresh starts are not only possible—they’re powerful.
Tune in to hear how curiosity, courage, and character shaped his journey—and how they can shape yours, too.
From NASA to potato farms, Glen Kemp’s career proves that no path in real estate appraisal is ever straight, but it can still lead somewhere meaningful.
In this inspiring episode of “Appraisers on Purpose,” Glen Kemp reminds us that resilience often matters more than perfection.
Across four decades in commercial real estate appraisal, Glen has seen it all — dairy farms disguised as grazing land, helipads with no value, and software that changed the game long before most appraisers even knew it existed.
But what truly sets Glen apart isn’t the complexity of his assignments, it’s the clarity of his mindset.
He shares how a surprise pivot into technical writing at NASA gave him the benefits his family needed, and how he eventually returned to appraisal with a renewed sense of purpose. He also reflects on forgotten files that turned out to be historic appraisals, including one for the Panama Canal.
For Glen, the message is clear: this profession offers more than spreadsheets. It offers a front-row seat to history, a test of character, and a flexible path forward, even when life throws you a curveball.
Tune in to this episode of “Appraisers on Purpose” to hear Glen’s quietly powerful take on what it means to endure, adapt, and thrive as a modern appraiser.