Let’s stop pretending we don’t see what’s happening.
The appraisal industry isn’t dead—it’s being restructured from the outside in.
The middle is shrinking. The low-effort, form-filler work is being replaced or waived entirely.
And what’s left? The professionals. The specialists. The survivors.Here’s What’s Actually Working Against Us:
➡️ AMCs have commoditized our profession.
We became “line items” instead of experts. Turn times, revision counts, and cheap fees mattered more than quality.
➡️ We carry all the liability, with zero control.
Lenders offload the risk onto us—but we don’t control overlays, revisions, or even the data. Yet our license is on the line every time.
➡️ Regulators don’t have our backs.
State boards react to complaints. They don’t defend sound judgment. Appraisers are walking on eggshells, trying to keep everyone happy while doing a nearly impossible job.
And now, the tech is coming for us.
AI, AVMs, hybrids—these tools weren’t designed to help appraisers. They were designed to eliminate us from the equation.
But here’s the part no one wants to say out loud…A Lot of Appraisers Were Replaceable.
Sloppy narratives.
Cookie-cutter logic.
“Because the comp is close” reasoning.
That opened the door for tech and lenders to ask: “Why do we even need them?”But the Industry Isn’t Hopeless — It’s Shifting
What’s not being replaced:
✅ Complex properties
✅ Litigation, estate, pre-listing, and consulting work
✅ Deep market insight
✅ Judgment calls AI can’t make
The future isn’t about checking boxes.
It’s about becoming a valuation professional, not a form-filler.So Here’s the Reality Check:
If you’re not evolving, you’re going to be left behind.
If you’re not connecting with your peers, you’re going to burn out.
And if you’re not getting involved in the appraisal community—you’ve got no right to complain.
The Fix? Get Off the Island.
You want things to change? Then join up:
▪️ Kentucky Association of Appraisers (KAA)
▪️ National Association of Appraisers (NAA)
▪️ Texas Residential Valuation Society (TRVS)
These organizations are building the future—not waiting for it to happen to them. They’re fighting for relevance, education, and advocacy where it matters.
There’s plenty of room at the table. You just have to show up. Final Word
We’re not dying. We’re transforming.
But if you want to be part of what’s next—get involved.
The future of appraising won’t be handed to you.
You’re going to have to help build it.
This post was last updated on
Hardesty Appraisals 