Deb Clark Is Leading the Charge in Real Estate Appraisal Innovation

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

The landscape of real estate appraisal is traditionally a male-dominated field, but trailblazers like Deb Clark are breaking through those barriers and setting new standards for innovation and inclusion. As the founder of Wyoming-based Mountain West Valuation and Eval.com, Deb is not just making waves in real estate but is also paving the way for other female entrepreneurs in industries often seen as unwelcoming to women.

Deb's journey into real estate appraisal was anything but conventional. A native of Canada, she spent her early years working as a bartender, first in her teens and then through her 20s. After relocating to the United States in 2003 and eventually settling in Wyoming in 2006, a chance meeting with a real estate appraiser sparked her interest in the field. That encounter led her to a new career path in real estate appraisal, where she faced the challenges of navigating a male-dominated profession head-on. Despite the obstacles, Deb credits her bartending background with helping her develop the confidence and tenacity needed to succeed in a room full of men, saying, "As a bartender, you see the best and worst in people, and sometimes all in the same night."

Deb's commitment to hard work and her natural leadership abilities quickly became evident as she progressed in her career. Working alongside mentors and colleagues who supported her growth, Deb eventually took over the agricultural appraisal firm where she had been trained, transforming it into a highly successful boutique business.

In 2020, Deb launched Eval.com, a groundbreaking platform designed to streamline real estate evaluations for lenders. The service quickly gained traction, serving over 3% of the banks across the country in just a few years. Eval.com fills a crucial gap in the market, providing accurate, timely evaluations to banks for low-risk loans, where full appraisals aren't necessary. This innovation has created an estimated $25 million annual opportunity, reshaping how evaluations are conducted nationwide.

But Deb's ambition doesn't stop there. Her latest venture, Blakbird, aims to democratize the world of appraisals even further by creating a platform for collectors of all types to appraise their valuables. From antiques to rare collectibles, Blakbird will use cutting-edge AI and computer vision technology to ensure users can accurately assess the value of their treasures. As Deb puts it, "Blakbird will stop $70,000 vases from ending up on Goodwill shelves." The app is set to launch in September 2024 and promises to be a game-changer for non-professionals looking to understand the value of their possessions.

As one of the few women in a male-dominated industry, Deb has faced her fair share of challenges, but she’s never let that stand in her way. Drawing inspiration from her mother’s advice that she might have to work harder to succeed, Deb has embraced her role as a leader and innovator. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and integrity, it’s possible to carve out a space in even the most exclusive of industries.

Deb Clark is a force to be reckoned with—leading not only in real estate appraisal but also in innovation, technology, and female entrepreneurship. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and trailblazing leadership, qualities that make her a standout figure in today’s business world.