People give many reasons for the career path they’ve chosen in life. For one individual who selected appraising to be her career choice, making such a discovery through a connection solidified her decision.
Megan Johnson Judd, co-owner and chief valuation officer at Metropolis Real Estate Solutions, talked about her journey into the appraisal profession.
“I was a humanities student at UCF when I took a back-office job at a large appraisal firm,” Johnson Judd told Valuation Review. “Like many appraisers, I entered the business through a connection — my mom’s best friend was an appraiser. I was immediately hooked.
“The research was fascinating and working with something as fundamental to people’s lives as their homes felt meaningful,” she added. “I developed both a sense of responsibility and a genuine curiosity about the process and its impact.”
Then came the creation of the Facebook group Appraisal Basics.
Johnson Judd said she was frustrated by how difficult communication could be between appraisers and appraisal users, especially realtors.
She shared with us that she knew education was the bridge, but explaining the depth of analysis behind every appraisal, over and over, was exhausting. She wanted to create a space where those conversations could happen more openly and efficiently.
So, she launched Appraisal Basics as a low-pressure forum for communication and learning.
“I started by inviting the best appraisers and agents I knew, and it quickly grew,” Johnson Judd told us. “Today, the group has nearly 10,000 members, agents, borrowers, lenders, attorneys, who can ask questions and better understand the ‘why’ behind appraisal work. I’m proud of the community it has become. It has not only helped refine my own professionalism but also pushed me to collaborate with appraisers nationwide.”
As to what Johnson Judd is specifically doing to help appraisers navigate big shifts within the profession, she noted the recent opportunities of having the privilege of speaking on national stages, sharing what she’s learned from more than 30 years in appraisal, has opened up some doors.
“I use every opportunity to encourage appraisers to embrace education and resist the temptation to just ‘get by.’ Change will leave some behind, but for those willing to adapt, there’s always opportunity,” she said. “With new software, advancing technology, and lending changes, the playing field is leveling. Now is the time to specialize, differentiate your services, and provide real value that supports a more stable income.
“This past spring, I represented the East Florida Chapter of the Appraisal Institute in Washington, D.C., where my colleagues and I met with Congressman Darren Soto,” Johnson Judd added. “We advocated for legislation supporting appraisers, including fee transparency, the Portal for Appraisal Licensing (PAL) Act, an appraisal review panel for noncash charitable contributions, and FHFA oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Congressman Soto pledged his support, and I’ll be returning next spring to follow up and potentially propose new measures.”
Of course, the hot topic swirling about the appraisal profession is the UAD 3.6 form redesign. We wanted Johnson Judd’s opinion as to how she thinks this change will be received by appraisers.
“First, we’ve been here before; it’s not a big deal,” she said, of the UAD 3.6 arrival. “Nobody likes when their ‘cheese gets moved,’ but this isn’t hard. It’s just different, and appraisers can handle it.
“The new report format will actually make things clearer and more efficient,” Johnson Judd added. “Irrelevant sections are omitted, and as someone who does a lot of review work, I’m excited, it will be much easier to read reports. Change always feels uncomfortable, but modernization usually improves the profession. We no longer process film or hand-deliver reports, and that hasn’t harmed us. UAD 3.6 is another step forward.”
*Be sure to read Part II of our conversation with Megan Johnson Judd