Today we’d like to introduce you to Malinda Griffin.
Hi Malinda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After my son was born in 1990, I began title abstracting with a friend. I didn’t want a full time job and I needed flexibility. A couple of years into this, my Dad suggested I diversify my growing business and become a Real Estate Appraiser. After doing some research, I agreed it seemed like a good fit for me. I took the classes, passed the licensing exam and hung out my shingle. Having a good relationship with many attorneys and bankers through the title company really helped secure those first few orders, then hard work and dedication forged my career in real estate. After my son graduated high school, I realized I had survived my ups/downs of the industry and that I should begin giving back. I loved what I do and I wanted others to see what a great profession it is. I quickly realized too that this profession isn’t on the radar of career choice. Often you are in your 30’s before you purchase your first home and meet an appraiser for the first time.
As I attended state and national conferences, I began to see a pattern that was alarming, we were aging and new people were not really entering the profession. I had been a member of my state organization SCPAC, South Carolina Professional Appraisers Coalition since its inception, and served on its board several years which introduced the national conference circuit. SCPAC was a Board of Governors member of NAA, The National Association of Appraisers, which host two conferences a year, ACTS and The Summit.
I was elected to the NAA Board in 2021 and become President in 2024, fulfilling a two year term.
This led to many opportunities to not only meet the profession influencers but also to advocate for the profession. I attended ADI, Appraiser Development Initiatives, TAF, The Appraisal Foundation events, NAR, National Association of Realtors and many more.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not always, being a female in a predominately male industry, it was often a struggle to be accepted/included. So I volunteered for things and I kept showing up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Malinda Griffin & Co?
We are a female based company that provides residential appraisal services and title abstracting for attorneys in the upstate of South Carolina. Between myself and my partner, Carissa Brock, (who is also my niece) we have over 50 years of experience. I have mentored several appraisers through the years and am honored every time the phone rings from a peer.
In the appraisal side, I chose the residential tract originally because I enjoyed looking at houses and meeting families. I feel like I can put the homeowner at ease by explaining the process of what/why I am doing while in their home. Many times, especially when doing estate work, the client is grieving the loss of their loved one and just wants to talk, so I listen. Taking the time to listen to folks has given me so much joy at the end of a day.
On the title side, Carissa and I cover many of the upstate counties providing title abstract services to multiple attorneys.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
This is a great profession, it is worth the education and experience hours required! After 34 years, I still love it and really have no plan to retire.
I sometimes wish I had finished the CG, certified general requirements. I took the classes and completed the experience hours, however I never allotted time to study/sit for the exam. The time frame for these expired and the requirements for CG changed and it was no longer attainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malindagriff00.wixsite.com/appraiser
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malinda-griffin-mnaa-77932220/
