Appraisers

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Dont shop by price, accuracy, quality, longevity and reputation are important. Knowledge about the type of appraisal needed is important.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. How long have you been in business? Have you appraised in this particular city or town before? Are you familiar with this type of property?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have been actively appraising since 1970 and have worked with most of the major lenders in CT. In addition to working with many attorneys and being acknowledged as an expert witness in State and Federal courts throughout Connecticut. I was voted one of top three appraisal companies in Ct. in 2010 by readers of the Commercial Record.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Probably the variety of properties that I have appraised over the years, from traditional 1-4 family properties up to an including a single trailer, a cemetary, rock quarry, large manufacturing building and everything in between.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That it takes a lot of time and study to be a good appraiser and that for the most part, the fees we charge are small in light of the time taken to produce an accurate report. Unfortunately today appraisers have to work through management companies who want fast, cheap reports instead of quality work and still charge the consumer a higher than average fee.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Appraisers are required to complete a mandatory 38 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain state certification. Additional education is up to the appraiser, I personally feel you can't learn enough in this business. A lot of lenders and companies now rely on automated appraisals, but I feel there is no electronic substitute for hands on experience.