The Appraisal Update: The Official Podcast of Appraiser eLearning

We're introducing a new monthly series in partnership with the National Association of Appraisers (NAA), hosted by Jason Covington, their Vice President. In this inaugural episode, Jason sits down with NAA President Barry Phillips to discuss the organization's mission, its vision for the future of appraisal, and the many ways it's supporting appraisers across the country. From schol...

Appraising can often feel like a solitary profession, but some of the greatest opportunities for growth come from being in community with other appraisers. In this episode, I sit down with Carole Henrysen, owner of Zen Appraisals, to discuss her journey into the appraisal profession, the creation of her successful appraisal business, and her expertise in unique properties.  Along the way, Carole s...

In today's episode, Bryan Reynolds sits down with Bill Waltenbaugh, Chief Appraiser at Nationwide Appraisal Network (NAN), about something that's been a hot topic for a while now in the appraisal space: short-term rentals. How do you appraise them? What do the lenders expect? What do the AMCs expect? Does anyone expect the same thing? Bill shares his wealth of knowledge on this topic, wa...

Okay, maybe it's partially for the reason you think: Obviously, we're all itching for a chance to speak face-to-face with the GSEs, software providers, and lenders to discuss the big UAD 3.6 shift that's happening this year. But there's more to it than that. Much more. Tune in as I sit down with the faces of Valuation Expo, Jim Morrison and Heidi Reuter, and they tell me what w...

Back in May, we introduced you to Melissa Bond's practicum program through the eyes of students just beginning their journey into the appraisal profession. Today, I'm sitting down with two graduates of the program who have successfully launched their appraisal careers and are putting this training into practice every day.  Quintin Smith and Jeff Graves share what it took to complete the...

As cloud-based technology continues to reshape the appraisal industry, what does that transition actually mean for appraisers? Today, host Bryan Reynolds sits down with software engineer and apprAIz CEO Narainder Chandwani to talk about the shift from traditional desktop software to cloud-based platforms—and why it matters now more than ever. They discuss common misconceptions, challenges you may...

An appraiser asked me a simple question about a pot plant… then followed up and said the AMC wanted it blurred out. That kicked off a much bigger conversation. I sat down with three seasoned USPAP experts—Bobby Crisp, Diana Jacob, and Amelia Lovern—and what they shared goes far beyond anything you’ll find in a class. Diana recounts a property where a man was chained to a basement wall. Amelia shar...

What does it really look like to become an appraiser today? In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Bond to talk about her practicum program—and we’re joined by two incredible women currently going through it. They share their firsthand experiences, what the journey has been like so far, and what they’re working toward as future licensed appraisers. This isn’t theory. This is what it actually tak...

What do you do when a homeowner calls and isn’t exactly thrilled with your value opinion? Do you take the call, or let it go to voicemail and pretend you never saw it? And what if it’s Fannie Mae, or another intended user? In this episode, I break down exactly who appraisers can (and can’t) communicate with under USPAP, so you don’t find yourself in a well-intentioned (but risky) conversation. I&a...

The countdown is officially on. With the UAD 3.6 mandatory use deadline set for November 2nd, the appraisal industry is deep in transition mode—and we, the appraisers, are feeling it.  In this episode, I'm breaking down what that transition is going to look like, some key takeaways from my conversations with industry experts, and what we learned at the Appraisal Conference and Trade Show (ACT...

Pete Fontana recently took a bold step by submitting a formal letter to the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), calling for the removal of the 4-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course requirement every two years.  Fontana is a practicing appraiser, a regulator with the Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers, and a current member of the Board of Trustees for The Apprais...

In this episode of the Appraisal Update Podcast , I sit down with Malinda Griffin, President of the National Association of Appraisers , to talk about why getting involved in your professional association matters more than ever. We discuss the benefits of engagement, how appraisers can strengthen their voice in the profession, and why you won’t want to miss the upcoming Appraiser’s Conference &amp...

On this episode, Bryan and AIVRE CEO Jake Lew break down the latest on UAD 3.6—what it means for your reports and how to stay ahead of the changes. They also take AIVRE's software for a spin to demonstrate how AI helps appraisers handle repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and free up time to focus on what really matters.   🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /a...

How can you actually create positive change for appraisers—not just talk about it? Here's one way I've seen firsthand: The Kentucky Association of Appraisers —a newly formed nonprofit created by appraisers, for appraisers —is working to move the profession forward in a meaningful way. A major step happened on February 18, 2026 , when HB 355 successfully advanced out of the Kentucky House...

An appraiser named John called me in a panic. He was headed to court and needed help — fast. Not only did John ask what he should wear to trial, he also asked a much bigger question: How do I effectively explain my opinion of value when the other expert valued the land, valued the house separately, and added them together — resulting in a much higher value? In this episode, I share a real-life cou...

I was honored to stand alongside fellow members of the Kentucky Association of Appraisers (KAA) in Frankfort as HB 355 was presented—an effort focused on making positive, meaningful changes for appraisers and the public we serve. But the conversation doesn’t stop at state legislation. Did you know The Appraisal Foundation is considering removing the college degree requirement for Certified Residen...

We’ve all heard it: “The appraisal came in low.” I hate that line — and with good reason. Maybe the better comment is: "The sales price came in high." In this episode, I invited Cathy Harper to break down a conversation that started on LinkedIn about how we talk about value. We explore what it really means when an appraisal is below the contract price and how lenders, agents, and consume...

Meet Kevin Lynch, a third-generation appraiser from South Texas who has literally grown up in this profession. In this episode, Kevin shares how he found his way into the appraisal world, what he loves about the work (and what drives him crazy), and how he balances a busy practice with family life as a husband and father of two young kids.  He also offers some heartfelt advice for anyone consideri...

Join me and my business partner Hal Humphreys as we look back on the biggest news of 2025 and peer into the future at what's ahead for appraisers in 2026. —Bryan Reynolds 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /appraiserelearning ✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com 🔥 STAY INFORMED with daily appraisal news and updates on The Appra...

Meet a special guest who works right in my building, and whose influence reaches far beyond it. She’s a real estate agent, a fellow podcaster, and genuinely one of the kindest, most caring people you’ll ever meet. Join us as she shares: How she handles grumpy people with grace (yes, even those moments), The mindset she uses to stay positive , even on days when positivity feels hard, And a heartfel...

Big News! In this episode, meet a splendid young person with determination, patience, and grit. She knew what she wanted — and she made it happen. You’ve heard me talk about her before, now meet her again and hear about her big accomplishment and the exciting news she’s sharing. — Bryan Reynolds 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /appraiserelearning ✅ NEED APPRAISER C...

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Bond , the creator of the MPAT Program — Practical Appraiser Training Program under a Practicum Environment. Melissa’s program is transforming how new appraisers enter the profession. She’s had incredible success — five full training programs completed , active in 10 states , and her students are passing the National Exam at an impressive 88% rate , far abo...

We, as appraisers, are valuation experts. Every day, we develop opinions of value for what’s often a person’s biggest asset — their home. But let me ask you something: Are you sure that’s their biggest asset? What if your most valuable asset isn’t your house, your business, or even your bank account? What if it’s your time , your health , and your relationships ? Those are the things that truly de...

The very first appraiser in the country to complete the first-ever UAD 3.6 appraisal report is Adam Winstead! And I’m proud to say I’m the first to sit down and interview this history-maker. For all the naysayers who insisted “There’s no way this happens before the end of the year," um… yeah… you were wrong. Listen in for the full interview, and when you're done, look upon Adam Winstead...

UAD 3.6 is officially here. Are you ready, or just trying to get ready? In this episode, Bryan talks with Jake Lew of Aivre about how their appraisal software is already equipped to help appraisers deliver reports that meet the new UAD 3.6 requirements . Jake, Aivre's CEO and co-founder, gives Bryan a quick demo of how the software works, including a screen-share of some inputs and part of a...