Your appraisal company may or may not work with AMC's, but if you are trying to diversify your client base you should be working with at least a couple. When an AMC sends you a contract agreement package to sign, make sure you read the contract carefully before signing the agreement. In fact, it would be prudent to contact your E&O insurance company and have them review it. They will be able to give you expert advise on the legitimacy of the contract. Our office has contacted our E&O insurance company on numerous appraiser contract agreements and have been supplied with detailed analysis of these agreements. Though the E&O insurance company may not advise the appraiser as to whether or not to sign the agreement, on occasion they have mentioned that a specific agreement may put the appraiser in a precarious position. The decision is ultimately the appraiser's, but it is good to know we have a point of reference before signing on the dotted line.
Signer beware.