On this episode of Brews & Appraisal Views, Chicago-area appraiser and broker Donna Halfpenny shares a recent on-site incident during a divorce appraisal where she intervened in an assault, called 911, secured the scene, and later recused herself to avoid any appearance of bias. The male property owner in her story spent the night in the hospital for observation and treatment of cuts and bruises and was released the following day.

From there, the conversation walks through a practical 15-point safety checklist: sharing schedules, requesting police escorts when needed, announcing yourself in “vacant” homes, watching for hazards on site, keeping your phone charged, leaving if you feel unsafe, knocking before entering rooms, securing your vehicle and gear, carrying legal safety tools, assuming you are on camera, and more.

Real-world stories cover surprise occupants, hostile neighbors, dog bites, comp-photo confrontations, and why “just take the picture” can be the riskiest part of the job. The episode closes with a reminder to stay vigilant and treat safety like part of the assignment.

Key takeaways

Safety starts before arrival. Share your schedule and ETA with someone who can find you if needed.
In family law cases or heated situations, consider requesting a police escort.
Announce yourself in any “vacant” property and assume cameras are recording.
Stay situationally aware inside and out. Hazards range from window wells to thunderstorms.
Secure the car and protect client data. Your laptop is part of your risk profile.
Carry legal, practical safety tools you will actually use.
If it feels wrong, it probably is. Leave, reschedule, or recuse.

Here is a link to 15 Safety Tips: https://referappraisals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/15-Safety-Suggestions-for-Appraisers.pdf

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Brews & Appraisal Views