By Chad Stanius

Class Valuation was built by appraisers, and that foundation continues to shape how we serve lenders today. Many of our executives are current or former appraisers, giving us a direct understanding of the challenges facing the industry and the insight to build solutions from within. One of those solutions is our Staff Appraiser Team — a nationwide panel of 240+ licensed appraisers, fully employed by Class and located across 41 states. 

Unlike traditional Valuation Providers that rely solely on networks of independent contractors, our model was designed for greater control, transparency, and performance. When a lender places an appraisal order and a qualified staff appraiser is available, we prioritize assigning it to them. Because they’re on our team, we can manage their performance closely, provide consistent training and tools, and help them deliver reports that meet our high internal standards. The result is faster turn times, clear communication, and consistently high-quality reports. 

Our staff appraisers are supported by regional managers, with real-time oversight and direct access to leadership and resources. They act as an extension of your team, delivering more reliable service and more predictable outcomes nationwide. 

Raising Standards with a Built-In Advantage 

Some lenders still have outdated perceptions about the term staff panel, often associating it with rigid structures or low-fee models. Many lenders don’t even realize we offer a staff appraiser team. They assume we operate like most high-volume AMCs. But this quiet strength—our ability to hire, train, and scale a high-performing national team—makes us stand apart. 

What makes our model so effective is the built-in oversight. Every staff appraiser is evaluated monthly on key performance indicators, including quality, speed, and responsiveness. If someone’s performance slips, we don’t just flag it — we intervene directly. Whether through one-on-one coaching, improvement plans, or skills development, we’re actively invested in our team’s success. 

Because our appraisers are part of our organization, they’re accountable in a way 1099 contractors simply aren’t. That translates to fewer surprises, faster resolutions, and more predictable outcomes for lenders. Across the board, our in-house team consistently outperforms contractors on turn times and report consistency. 

Consistency in Action 

Independent contractors might move quickly when volume is low, but we manage to deliver quickly, even with higher volume. The structure of our team enables that. Regional managers provide real-time support. Appraisers have direct access to resources and leadership. We also maintain continuous visibility of every file. 

Perhaps most telling: escalation rates are markedly lower among our staff appraisers. That’s not just a reflection of individual performance—it’s evidence that structured oversight, real-time coaching, and high internal standards produce results that lenders can count on. 

Real-Time Visibility, Real-World Results 

Where we really outpace traditional models is in real-time visibility. Our staff team must update their orders daily, so our internal teams — and by extension, yours — always have up-to-date information. Our teams don’t have to chase down a contractor if clarity is needed. They reach out directly to the appraiser or their regional manager to get answers fast. 

But we don’t just stop at better workflow transparency. Our staff appraisers also receive exclusive tools, training, and access to platforms like DataMaster, a data import and validation tool that streamlines the appraisal process by automatically pulling in MLS data, along with continuous learning opportunities and support from our chief appraiser team. This gives them a clear advantage and gives lenders peace of mind. 

Built to Scale, Ready to Grow 

If you're expanding into new markets, we are too. Because our team is internal, we can strategically recruit and onboard new staff where coverage is needed. That flexibility is rare in this industry and demonstrates our long-term commitment to lender partnerships. We don’t just maintain a team of Staff Appraisers — we invest in it, evolve it, and scale it to match your needs. 

A Better Deal for Appraisers and You 

There’s a common myth that staff models shortchange appraisers. Ours doesn’t. We compensate based on the same “reasonable and customary” fee structures contractors offer. Our staff appraisers also receive a full suite of benefits: medical, dental, 401(k), PTO, and access to productivity and QA tools that elevate both quality of life and quality of work. 

That infrastructure empowers our staff appraisers to perform at a higher standard, and ensures lenders receive consistent, compliant, high-quality reports—no matter where or when they’re needed. 

Staying Ahead of What’s Next 

Industry change is constant, but our model is built to adapt. As regulations like UAD 3.6 roll out, we ensure our staff appraisers are trained and implementation-ready well before go-live dates. That level of preparedness minimizes disruption for lenders and ensures appraisals remain timely, compliant, and accurate, no matter what the market throws our way. 

Bottom line: we believe a staff panel isn’t just viable — it’s essential. If you want to reduce risk, improve loan cycle times, and deliver consistent quality to your borrowers, our model provides the strategic edge modern lenders need.

To learn more about our staff appraiser team, as well as our other specialized teams, visit this webpage or reach out to Class Valuation. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Chad Stanius serves as the Senior Vice President of Staff Appraisers at Class Valuation and oversees the company's staff appraiser initiatives, which are streamlining the appraisal process, enhancing training practices, and promoting diversity within the industry. Before joining Class Valuation, Chad held a position as a Credit Risk Analyst III on the Collateral Policy and Strategy Team at Fannie Mae and served as a subject matter expert on the UAD 3.6 forms and redesign team, bringing valuable experience to his current leadership role.