Meet Darin Rogers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darin Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darin, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I think the most important thing is to allow free thinking. My son was not compelled to follow any religion or particular worldview, and as a result his mind as travelled far and wide, inside out and upside down, exploring ancient history, eastern religions, Machiavelli, Genghis Khan, American presidents, Julius Caesar, George Patton, Rudolph Hess. He’s a critical thinker, especially when it comes to my pronouncements, which causes some agita in the moment, but makes me proud deep down that he thinks for himself. He listened to my opinions for 18 years, while developing his own, which he is ready to defend. As he enters early adulthood, I am proud that he can hold his own in a debate, he’s well-read for his age, and he is not gullible politically. He gives me hope for the future of this democracy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 1986 I got a job as a market research interview (phone surveys). I was at University at the time, so the management thought I had potential, made me phone room supervisor. I taught myself how to program in Ci2, which was the Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing software of choice at the time, and this feat got my boss’ attention and put me on the fast track. I was eventually named Director of Operations and had a nice corner office overlooking a koi pond. Life was good. However, trapped in an office for 40+ hours a week was not good for my mind. The relentless routine and high stress levels ate away at my happiness. When my friend, a realtor, told me he was taking classes to become an appraiser, and that he had landed a job as a trainee, my interest was piqued. In a big, risky decision, I left my cushy 17-year office job to start over as a trainee. This was in 2003, 5 years before the big Mortgage Meltdown. It took 2.5 years to earn my license, and then Charles and I formed Desert City Appraisal in 2006. We were making big money and enjoying newfound prosperity and freedom; it seemed the best move I’d ever made. Then the 2008 meltdown occurred, and my fees declined from $350 to $120. Life got tough for a few years, and we subsisted. Later, once rates broke thru 3%, there were unlimited appraisal orders, and the only problem was maximizing how many you could do. I hired a driver, so I could write reports en route to the next appraisal house, which worked out great. This was the high-water mark. Business remained fully engaged through the Pandemic, but as inflation took control, interest rates went up, and the entire busines went into hibernation for several years. We are now, finally, emerging from that slump and I am now considering adding a trainee to grow the business again. What I am most proud of was the shift to what I called The Driver Program. I had a laptop, inverter, and wi-fi pack, so I sat in back with the laptop strapped to the back of the passenger seat. On field days, we’d do 3 – 5 per day, and at its peak it was as though the backseat was my office, and the houses were brought to me in rapid succession. The productivity was off the charts, and it was very profitable. Eventually though, the volume would not support it, and I am back to driving myself. But for those years where we raced around town in the HOV lane, looking at 15+ houses a week, I was definitely in the flow and master of my domain.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think I’d make a big loop, starting in Tempe at the University, north on the 101 loop through scottsdale, over to Glendale, west valley, white mountains, back east through phoenix and downtown. Phoenix is good for about 4 months a year for visitors, winter months. If they golf, we’d golf. Downtown Scottsdale for food and drink. Maybe some hiking at piestewa peak or camelback mountain. You can drive up to the top of South Mountain, that’ s kind of fun. Papago park is an easy hike with cool views. Hamburger Works, aunt chilada’s, Durant’s, Cheba Hut. TexAz steakhouse, SMOCA, MIM, Phx art museum. Maybe a Suns’ game if in season. Dispensaries. Lay by the pool at some resort. Have margaritas and mexican food. Japanese Friendship Garden; State Capital Museum in Phoenix; Boyce Thompson Arboretum; Cave Creek/Carefree for shopping and sightseeing. Not Grand Canyon – 4 hours each way, look at this hole in the ground, ok, let’s go. South to Mexico, Puerto Penasco is only 3 hours away. Much more worthwhile. Flagstaff is worth a day trip. Sedona, same. Prescott, same.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The late Ted Apostol, former President of WestGroup Research, took me under his wing when I was 21, introduced me to PCs, which were then in their infancy, taught me how to deal with clients and employees, taught me everything about business and how to conduct oneself. Later, Charles Cales introduced me to the Real Estate industry, and helped me get started as an Appraisal Trainee. Both of these men put me on the road to success and I can’t thank them enough.

Website: www.LandsmanAz.com