A few years ago, someone I greatly respect, Wayne Pugh, said something to me that has stuck with me ever since:

“Appraisers don’t know what they don’t know.”

It hit me then.  But it hits even harder today.

We’re living through one of the most disruptive technological shifts in history and many appraisers don’t see it coming.  Not because we’re not smart.  Not because we’re not hardworking.  But because no one taught us how to think about what we can’t yet see.

Even Mentors Miss It

If you’ve been appraising for a while, you probably had mentors who showed you the ropes such as how to inspect properties, pull comps, write credible reports.  Their guidance was invaluable.  But here’s something we need to accept:

Even the best mentors don’t always get it right, especially when the game changes.

In today’s world, relying solely on what worked five years or even a year ago isn’t just outdated.  It’s just plain dangerous.

AI Is Not the Enemy…Ignorance Is

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity are reshaping how we think, work, and communicate.  They’re not perfect.  Sometimes they “hallucinate.”  But let me ask you this:

Have you ever taken advice from a mentor or colleague that turned out to be wrong?

Of course you have.  That’s part of learning.  That’s part of how we grow.

The difference is that AI can be your always-available assistant, ready to help you explore what you don’t know whether that’s:

• Understanding statistical concepts,

• Drafting neighborhood descriptions,

• Analyzing market trends, or

• Automating time-consuming report sections.

And you don’t have to wait for someone to teach you in a CE class. You can learn it now—on your own terms.

If I Were Starting Over Today…

If I were a brand-new appraiser just getting into the field, I’d be all-in on learning AI.  Every waking minute. Podcasts while driving. YouTube tutorials at night. Testing prompts between assignments.

Because this isn’t just about becoming more efficient. It’s about future-proofing your career.

And if you’re a seasoned appraiser? You’re not too late. You just have to get curious again. You have to ask yourself, “What am I missing? What could I do better, faster, or smarter?”

If you’re an Experienced Appraiser…

Let me speak directly to my fellow experienced appraisers for a moment because I’m one of you.

There’s a subtle danger in doing this job for a long time.  We get good at it.  We develop a system that works.  And over time, without realizing it, we stop questioning how we do things.  That’s when we fall into the trap Wayne warned about:

“Appraisers don’t know what they don’t know.”

It’s easy to believe that being competent means we’re complete.  But when no one ever challenges our process, or shows us a different way, we assume there’s nothing new to learn.  I’ve been guilty of that myself.  I often fall into the “Well, I know what I’m doing”  or “That’s the way we’ve always done it” mindset.  And when that happens, growth takes a back seat.

For me, artificial intelligence has been a wake-up call.

Not because it replaces what I know.
Not because it’s an “easy button.”

But because it forces me to think differently.

AI doesn’t just streamline my work; I use it to challenge my thought process.  It reveals gaps I didn’t know were there.  It pushes me to revisit my assumptions and rethink my approach.  This shouldn’t be viewed as a threat, it’s a chance to grow sharper, more objective, and more relevant in a rapidly changing profession.

If you’re an experienced appraiser, I invite you to stay curious.  To stay uncomfortable.  To stay open.  Because no matter how long you’ve been doing this, there’s always room to grow.

And the moment you realize that?

That’s when things really start to get exciting again.

The Harsh Truth

Most people won’t do it.  They’ll wait.  They’ll dismiss AI as a gimmick or worry it’s “cheating.”  They’ll say, “I’ll get someone to help me with it later.”

But those who choose to learn, who lean into the unknown, will build an edge that can’t be bought.  They’ll write better reports.  They’ll communicate more clearly.  They’ll serve their clients with greater insight and less stress.

AI won’t replace appraisers.
But appraisers who use AI will outpace those who don’t.

The Choice Is Yours

You don’t need to become a tech wizard. You just need to take the first step.
Ask ChatGPT a question.
Automate one part of your workflow.
Test out a Custom GPT for appraisers.

JUST START!

Because in this new era of our appraisal profession, not knowing what you don’t know is no longer an excuse, it’s a risk.

Want help getting started with AI as an appraiser?

Contact me for a consultation session.  We’ll break it down step-by-step…no jargon, no overwhelm.

Let’s get curious again.