Join Our Appraiser Panel
Rural 1st offers financing for home loans, construction loans, vacant lots and land purchases in rural and some suburban areas. We are currently looking to expand our Appraiser Panel in the states where we do business, which currently include:
- Eastern Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Central and Southern Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Western Minnesota
- Southeast Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Central Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Are you an appraiser in one of these areas? Then we’d like to hear from you.
Why Work with Rural 1st?
Personal Touch
A Rural 1st team member will contact you about opportunities and be available throughout the process.
Set Your Own Price
We understand that rural properties can be complicated. Appraisers have the flexibility to set their own fees.
Get Paid Quickly
As experts in rural lending, our skilled team members and streamlined systems make the loan process simple and stress-free.
Inquire Today
Rural 1st values your privacy and the security of your information. For more information about our security and privacy policy, please read our privacy policy.
Common Questions
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No, appraisals are ordered by, and prepared for, Rural 1st. We do not order appraisals on behalf of other clients or third-parties.
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Yes, provided the report is signed or co-signed by the supervisory appraiser. We also permit associate/trainee appraisers to perform site inspections without the supervisory appraiser when permitted by USPAP and your state’s licensing laws.
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No, Rural 1st will provide a detail engagement lender to identify necessary appraisal requirements (i.e. assignment conditions). Rural 1st appraisals need to meet the needs of FCA and Agribank and not the secondary market. UAD formatting is not required, but we will accept reports prepared under UAD guidelines.
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No, we work with very competitive fees. While total fee and turn time is important, we place heavier weight on the quality of the work product and dependability of the appraiser. We understand there are complex assignments and take that in consideration when requesting bids.
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There are no daily updates/needless updates required of the appraiser. The only updates we ask is the day before the report is due to make sure we are on track and can update the parties involved.
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Only if there is data available to support an income approach.
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The cost approach is required for all proposed construction appraisals. On all other requests, the approach is only required if the appraiser determines it is necessary for credible assignment results.
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Yes, we require an individual identification for value and remaining economic life for any structure that contributes to the total appraised value. This does not include personal property.
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There is no clunky upload system, just email the appraisal PDF directly back or we also accept it through Mercury Service.
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The Appraisal Management Team is staffed with appraisers who review all reports that are completed for Rural 1st. They are also available for questions and needed direction that may arise in the course of an assignment. We understand there can be difficulties in appraising various property types in the rural markets we serve.
Questions? Call us at 502-977-6142, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern time.
What Others Are Saying
“Rural 1st is one of my favorite clients to work with! They are all very professional and extremely friendly. They are quick to respond if any issues arise, pay quickly, and one of the best I have worked with in my 21 years of appraising! A company like this is hard to find in today’s world!”
Leeann Taylor, Oklahoma
“Great friendly staff! Communication is one of the best in the industry, I truly enjoy working with the team at Rural 1st!”
Scott Moseley, Oklahoma
“Rural 1st is a wonderful partner to work with. Their appraisal team is quick, responsive, and knowledgeable. They treat their appraisal partners with respect and kindness too.”
Whispering Pine Appraisals, Texas
“Have enjoyed working with the team. They are courteous and respond quickly. Prompt on payment. Easy to work with.”
David Fetherlin, New Mexico
“From an appraiser’s standpoint, working with Rural 1st offers a prime example of being respected and needed as an appraiser. They offer exciting and unusual projects while also treating their vendors with the utmost respect and they allow you to quote your own fees, get paid what you’re truly worth as an appraiser, and they have a thorough but fair review process with extremely knowledgeable reviewers (many of whom are former appraisers). I’ve found that I’ve learned and become a better appraiser through their reviews of my work, and their borrower clients typically are respectful and appreciative that Rural 1st finds knowledgeable appraisers to complete their unique assignments. For appraisers that love to work in rural areas or come from rural backgrounds, the experience working with Rural 1st and their many team members honestly couldn’t be better!”
Whitsitt & Co, Illinois
“Working with Rural 1st is always a pleasure. They’re one of my top clients, and their team consistently stands out for their professionalism, clear communication, and understanding of the appraisal process. Every order I receive from them is well-organized, making my job more efficient and enjoyable. It’s always a good day when I see an order come through from Rural 1st, and I truly value the strong working relationship we’ve built!”
Doug Nichols, Kansas
“Rural 1st has been an exceptional client. They are very thorough in explaining exactly what is needed and are always organized and prepared with all the necessary documentation beforehand. Their valuation coordinators are very professional and questions are always answered in a timely manner. It’s been a pleasure working with them so far.”
Doug Felske, Texas
“I have been working with Rural 1st for a long time and their staff are second to none. In this changing industry with appraisal management companies trying to manage your schedule and discounting your fees and asking for impossible revisions, it is not like that with Rural 1st, they understand the difficulties of appraising in rural areas. There is no pressure from the staff, they are very professional and great people to work with as they understand the appraisal process and help us by providing good information to get the process started. Rural 1st is my favorite client to work with!”
Robert Daun, Illinois
“Working with Rural 1st is the relationship that every appraiser strives to find with a client. The process is unique in that the appraiser isn’t burdened by a low-fee, high-maintenance atmosphere. Instead, the Appraisal Management Services team maintains a hands-on approach that allows the appraiser independence and freedom to create his or her schedule and fee structure. This company is the benchmark by which all clients should be measured, and all should strive to achieve.”
Morgan Smith, Tennessee
“Our company has been working with Rural 1st for many years and it has been a pleasure. The staff is great and they make it very easy to work with. We are proud to be one of the appraisal firms that has the opportunity to work with Rural 1st.”
Sharon L. Speichert, Indiana
“I have had the opportunity to do work for Rural 1st for over 25 years. I value this relationship very highly and it has been my honor and privilege to complete appraisals for this company. As a small business, it is a pleasure to do work for a company that actually pays you within 30 days of completion of an assignment. I appreciate the fact that the review appraisers that work for Rural 1st are knowledgeable in the market that they are discussing when a question arises on an appraisal report. As an appraiser, it is nice to be able to pick up the phone and discuss a concern rather than spending hours writing addendums.”
George Gantte, Tennessee
“It is always a pleasure to get a call from Margaret Jakubwicz asking if we service an area that she has needs for a client. The order comes precise and full of all the details needed to proceed with an Appraisal Report. Never have an issue that cannot be handled. We wish all of our lenders were so easy to work with. We look forward to continue our working relationship.”
Barbara Duncan, Kansas
“I enjoy working with the Rural 1st because of the professionalism of the staff with which I work. Their lines of communication with me as an appraiser are outstanding. Rural 1st is truly a first class operation.”
Michael Mangen, Ohio
“Rural 1st is a pleasure to work with. The people are great, and the organization treats its clients with the upmost respect.”
Kyle Bolyard, Indiana
