Sometimes I think we lose site of the Why behind the business. Dustin reminds us all to step back when we get overwhelmed and remember why we are doing this in the first place.

Dustin has a skeptical guest, Keith Trahern, on to discuss AI, ChatGPT, and the future of appraisal. How do we utilize this powerful technology, but still maintain the public trust?

It is not just about making sure the assemblyline runs smoothly. It is also about making sure attitudes and interactions stay in check. Your office environment is not just important, it is essential for success.

Dear USPAP Instructor brings us Mr. Tim Andersen answering two questions; is a sale between a landlord and a tenant considered non-arm's length and can you use sales from a state you are not licenced in?

Can you hire a qualified individual overseas for $2 an hour? Probably not anymore. Dustin talks about changes in the VA world.

Sometimes we get in our own way when it comes to fees. We think we know what is acceptable and we sell ourselves short.

Some have asked why Dustin spends an average of an hour a day on Chat GPT. The answer is in what he gains from the effort.

We talk about modernization (change) within the valuation industry, but how can a local appraiser keep up? How can we remain relevant and continue to make money as professionals? Joshua Walitt (Walitt.com) is here to talk specifics.

Giving back to the profession can be a part of why you bring on a trainee, but it cannot be the only reason you do

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate, joins Dustin for another Dear USPAP Instructor episode. On the docket today, "Is taking tickets to the game a bribe?" and "At what point should I turn my peer into the state appraiser board?"

Sometimes the technician and the owner need a manager. Just because you understand how to be a successful appraiser does not mean you understand how to be a successful manager of your time. Maybe it is time to hire someone who does.

Craig Morely has served on several boards and had a great deal of exposure to appraisers in trouble. Today, he sits down with Dustin to share some advice on how to avoid getting yourself into hot water. He also shares some great advice on how to retire in this profession.

The Dunbar number is a measure of how many meaningful relationships one can have. It is not as many as you think. How does that relate to your appraisal office?

We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that being (or looking) busy is a sign of leadership. Sometimes we feel guilty if we are not always doing something. However, leadership has less to do with work and more to do with, well, leading.

Fannie Mae has a list of words that should not be used in appraisal reports. What are they, and should appraisers comply?

When you get that letter (you know what Dustin is talking about), the first thing to do is to ask for an extension. Dustin explains why in this episode.

There have been a lot of rumors since Mark left the 100% Real Estate Appraisers group. What is Mark doing now? Why did he leave? He joins Dustin so you can get it right from the horse's mouth.

If you don't vote, you lose the right to complain. Now is the time to get involved in the changes that are happening in the appraisal profession.

There is much dismay over the use of PDCs, but can they actually allow appraisers to get back to why they joined this profession in the first place? John Dingeman from Class Valuations joins Dustin to discuss.

Sometimes we accept our 'fate' as if we have no other options. But, maybe we have more options than we think. The unasked question is always a "no.." The asked question may open doors of opportunity.

Some have been worried about AI and its implications on the valuation industry, but you do not have to wait to see. It is already being used at the highest levels of our industry.

Can you, as a valuation professional, make life easy for your clients? Take a lesson from a local restaurant that Dustin ate at recently as a template for your business.

With the slow-down, how can an appraiser have a record year for a company that has been in business for decades. Ethan Brooks did. He joins Dustin on the podcast to talk about how.

Are you sick and tired of hearing about artificial intelligence and machine learning and Chat GPT? Why is Dustin spending so much time on this pet topic?

Dustin recently had an interesting experience at a restaurant that teaches a lesson in customer service.

Joel Baker, Senior Professional of Products Solutions at a la mode, joins Dustin to give some updates on new features in a la mode. He also shares some exciting news about traveling education, laser measuring devices, and apps that appraisers should be using.

...if they don't embrace it. The critics are saying that appraisers need to avoid Chat GPT, BART, and other machine learning modules or they will take over the valuation profession. In this episode, Dustin explains why the opposite of that may be true.

It sure can feel that way. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at Corelogic, joins Dustin to talk change. How will the changes coming to the valuation world affect appraisers?

Dustin gives some real world prompts you might want to try in your appraisal process.

Kyle Paquin joins Dustin to talk data science. Not a sexy topic? Listen to this episode if you want to know how to be relevant in the future of the valuation profession.

You have heard of the Law of Attraction. Well, the opposite of that is the Law of Avoidance. How do we recognize it and what can we do to overcome it?

Functional obsolescence. How do you handle it? Chad Zink from Nebraska joins Dustin to talk about his experience.

Facebook is not just about connecting you with friends and neighbors. It can be a powerful marketing tool... if you do not blatantly use it for marketing.

Friend of the program, Erine Durbin, joins Dustin again to talk about the changes that are happening in the valuation world. Ernie gives a bright outlook on where we are going and if appraisers will actually make more money in the future.

Dustin talks a great deal about self-care. Life should not just be all about work. We are on the planet to enjoy as well, but can you take things too far? He explores that question today.

In a recent Mastermind, an attendee gave a descriptive analogy and applied it masterfully to toxicity in the workplace.

It is a common problem; how do you do enough appraisal work to make a living without cutting the quality of your work. Perfection is the enemy of done as they say. Dustin shares 7 principles to increase your efficiency without cutting your quality.

The answer is time. That is right. You may think that external forces control your time, but the truth is, we are all given the same amount of time and it is up to us to decide how to spend it.

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate, joins Dustin to talk Chat GPT. Specifically, is using it without citing it in an appraisal report akin to plagiarism? What about it being a USPAP violation?

Consistency is a key to success. Today, Dustin shares some little ways that his brain does not have to worry about small things so his brain can be focused on the big things.

Tim Andersen, The Appraiser's Advocate weighs in on the controversy of the day; appraiser modernization. It is a hot topic and Tim has some great advice for appraisers who are caught in the wash of change.

On Facebook, there's a platform called Appraiser Classifieds that allows individuals to buy and sell goods related to appraisers, as well as find service providers for tasks related to appraisals. The best part; it is completely free of charge.

Is it really that big of a deal? How can it help with appraisal work? Seems like a waste of time. Dustin talks about the importance of AI in the appraisal world on this episode.

The longer the slowdown lasts, the harder it is to stay upbeat. Dustin gives ten ways to remain positive during the slower season.

There is a lot of fear centered around the Fannie Mae move toward 'modernization' and using data collection people rather than appraisers for more on-site visits. There are definitely some concerns, for sure, but is it all bad news? Maybe we are afraid of the wrong thing?

With knowledge comes power. Understanding how real estate markets cycle will better empower you to make the right decisions to stay relevant.

A recent trip to Denver for the Dream Team Mastermind meeting got Dustin wondering; is it worth it?

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (like ChatGPT) are rapidly improving. Many are fearful this type of technology will replace many of the jobs we know and do today. What about appraisers? Will AI and ML take over the appraisal profession? Let's ask ChatGPT.

There are way too many changes coming our way right now. It can be scary, but change can also bring opportunity.

Dustin recently wrote an article for the Appraisal Buzz (https://appraisalbuzz.com/real-prompts-for-chatgpt-for-appraisal-reports/) about Chat GPT and how it can be a tool to assist appraisers in their appraisal work and the comments BLEW UP! Today, Dustin addresses some of the myths that are out there about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and why fear is not the answer.