If you’ve ever wondered how an appraiser moves from lender chaos to a thriving non-lender business, this one’s for you. I sat down with Brad Bassey, SRA, MBA, who has more than thirty years in the field and over sixty-five hundred valuations under his belt.

We cover everything from wildfire litigation to horse ranches, why he walked away from AMCs years ago, how he built a 99.9 percent private-party business, and why customer service matters more than comps if you want repeat clients. Brad does not sugar-coat anything, which makes this episode a must-listen for appraisers who want to survive the changes ahead and actually grow in the process.

On this episode of Brews & Appraisal Views, Chicago-area appraiser and broker Donna Halfpenny shares a recent on-site incident during a divorce appraisal where she intervened in an assault, called 911, secured the scene, and later recused herself to avoid any appearance of bias. The male property owner in her story spent the night in the hospital for observation and treatment of cuts and bruises and was released the following day.

From there, the conversation walks through a practical 15-point safety checklist: sharing schedules, requesting police escorts when needed, announcing yourself in “vacant” homes, watching for hazards on site, keeping your phone charged, leaving if you feel unsafe, knocking before entering rooms, securing your vehicle and gear, carrying legal safety tools, assuming you are on camera, and more.

Real-world stories cover surprise occupants, hostile neighbors, dog bites, comp-photo confrontations, and why “just take the picture” can be the riskiest part of the job. The episode closes with a reminder to stay vigilant and treat safety like part of the assignment.

Key takeaways

• Safety starts before arrival. Share your schedule and ETA with someone who can find you if needed.
• In family law cases or heated situations, consider requesting a police escort.
• Announce yourself in any “vacant” property and assume cameras are recording.
• Stay situationally aware inside and out. Hazards range from window wells to thunderstorms.
• Secure the car and protect client data. Your laptop is part of your risk profile.
• Carry legal, practical safety tools you will actually use.
• If it feels wrong, it probably is. Leave, reschedule, or recuse.

Here is a link to 15 Safety Tips: https://referappraisals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/15-Safety-Suggestions-for-Appraisers.pdf

In this episode of Brews & Appraisal Views, Dan Lindeman talks with veteran appraiser Steven R. Smith, MAI, SRA, about what he calls the lost art of verification. Steven explains why so many appraisers are missing key market signals, how “stable” reports are masking real declines, and what separates real appraisers from the ones just holding a license.

They discuss verification, market conditions, liability, and how doing the job right can turn you into the go-to market expert.