The AMC model isn’t bad because of the idea.
It’s bad because of how it’s been executed. Middlemen. Markups. Zero loyalty to appraisers or lenders. But what if we flipped the script?
Imagine a group of 3–5 independent appraisers who:
• Hire a shared order manager (someone who works for them, not against them)
• Market directly to local banks and lenders
• Offer true Dodd-Frank compliance support
• Provide better service for lower lender fees
• Split tech and ops costs to crush overhead
• Increase margins while staying independent
Think like an AMC. Act like an appraiser. Move like a business owner.
The future of appraising isn’t giant national networks.
It’s regional firms—
Big enough to service the customer.
Small enough to care.
The big Titanic AMCs can’t pivot.
But small, strategic crews can turn on a dime—and win.
The future doesn’t belong to the biggest players.
It belongs to the smartest ones.
Hardesty Appraisals 