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The power to make a difference

Melinda Webb

ADI Scholarship Recipient Spotlight – Melinda Webb

Solidifi had the great pleasure of sitting down with ADI Scholarship Recipient Melinda Webb as she shared her inspirational journey to becoming an appraiser trainee which began after her real estate agent suggested that she “whitewash” her home before listing it for sale and having it appraised. This moment became a turning point and inspired her to want to make a difference in her children’s lives, create her legacy, and build her future by becoming an appraiser.

She recalls vividly the experience of packing up her family’s pictures and rushing out of their home because she was advised that she should not be present in their home when the appraiser arrived. Essentially she was made to feel as though she had to hide her identity and her children’s identities just to help to sell their home. After buying another property in North Carolina and settling into their new home, she started to reflect on her experience selling her property. She began to research and dig into the real estate process. As she did so, she grew in her understanding of her power to make a difference. With this newfound sense of empowerment and a desire to make an impact in her community and in the lives of the families she would serve, Melinda felt a calling to join the appraisal profession with the goal of becoming a certified appraiser.

Melinda’s background includes experience in academia and program management. She supported a number of initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion in the education sector. Drawing on this experience, Melinda’s pursuit to become an appraiser started in July 2022. She successfully became an appraiser trainee in January 2023, completing her course work in just over 6 months. She is now in the process of searching for a Supervisor.

I describe my journey to becoming an appraiser as unfolding and evolving much like an onion and the peeling of the layers. As I have learned the steps to becoming an appraiser and have reached each stage, ADI and the scholarship have helped me get over any of the humps. It is the community and monthly calls that have helped me through the process. It truly takes a village.

Melinda’s story has shined a light on the “why” for so many other recruits and ADI scholarship winners entering the profession, the importance of the Appraiser Development Initiative™ and Solidifi’s mission – to make the homeownership experience extraordinary, for everyone.

About the Solidifi Appraiser Trainee Mentorship and Scholarship Program

Solidifi is helping to grow our industry with our Appraiser Trainee Mentorship and Scholarship Program. As part of the Program, Solidifi is part of the Appraiser Development Initiative™ (ADI) as an Advisor Sponsor and In-Kind Sponsor that provides scholarships and mentoring for new entrants to the appraisal profession.

For aspiring appraisers, finding a qualified mentor to oversee part of their training is often cited as a significant barrier to entry in the profession. However, more and more appraisers on the Solidifi network are opening their doors to trainees. Solidifi is leading the way to attract new entrants to the appraisal profession with more than 200 trainees onboarded since inception providing valuable work experience toward their appraisal credential.

About the Appraiser Diversity Initiative

The Appraiser Development Initiative™ is a collaboration between the Appraisal Institute, National Urban League, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The goals of the Appraiser Development Initiative™ are to attract diverse new entrants into the residential appraisal field, overcome barriers to entry (such as education, training, and experience requirements), and provide support to position aspiring appraisers for professional success.

The goal of the ADI is to create relationships and partnerships with sponsors for the benefit of the ADI participants. ADI sponsors workshops and other activities to inform aspiring appraisers about the requirements to become an appraiser and the multiple career opportunities available. ADI participants are awarded education scholarships for the completion of base course requirements to become an appraiser.