Commercial Real Estate Investment/Commercial Appraiser

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/14/2008


Question
How in the WORLD can I find an appraiser in our area (SW Va) that is CERTIFIED in COMMERCIAL appraisals.  Everyone seems to be either general, residential, residential/commercial.  We have two business properties that we need appraisals for.  Thanks,

Answer
KP,

My guess is that you do not have an abundance of commercial property in your particular area.  In any urban area - primarily where my experience is - commercial appraisers are easy to find.

I would call the headquarters offices of the various national commercial appraising associations and ask for referrals in the area of the property to be appraised.  

You could also contact the commercial lenders in your area that have done commercial loans in the past and ask them who they have used, or who the buyers have used in previous purchases.  

Calling any of the brokerage offices doing commercial transactions in your area and asking them for a referral could be an adventure.    Most brokers are likely going to first pick your brain about the details of your transaction as the quid pro quo for helping you.   As you know, many buyers and sellers are insecure about telling another broker ANY details about a PRO-spective transaction.

Sorry, I just don't know any commercial appraisers in your area.

Good luck.

-Jim

Commercial Real Estate Investment

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jim Avancena, CPM

Expertise

Best qualified to answer questions that involve commercial leases, that is, basic issues as well as the often unexpected effects of the complexities and inter-relationships of the provisions a lease may contain, explain how seemingly innocuous text in your lease can have a major impact on a Tenant or Landlord and their business operations, and the common practices utilized in the industry. I can untangle most matters that may come up from the time a tenant begins searching for a office or store space and the lease acquisition process, concerns related to remodeling/improving the leased premises, moving-in, subletting or assigning the leased space, and a long list of problems that may come up during the lease term and even after a tenant moves out. I have practical experience with most property management issues and resolving landlord and tenant disputes - especially those involving what may appear to be overcharges assessed for additional lease charges like CAM costs, operating expense reimbursement, real estate taxes, utilities, construction improvements etc. Note that I am not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice.

Experience

Thirty years active experience in the commercial real estate industry as a licensed real estate broker in the Washington DC Metro area (DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland). I have been admitted (approved) by the Maryland and DC courts to testify as an expert witness on the subjects of Commercial Leasing and Property Management in the area of standard industry practices. I have had a business for the last 14 years advising virtually every form of business entity from large national corporations to the smallest ma & pa new businesses regarding a wide range of commercial real estate matters in addition to property management and commercial leasing.

Organizations
Currently my three children keep me so busy that it is difficult to participate in organizations with continuing and specific time requirements.

Publications
I publish a local commercial real estate newsletter titled: "Tenants First". My firm was the subject of a high profile Washington Post business section cover page (2.25 full pages) feature story on January 13, 1993; titled "Overcharging Overhead".

Education/Credentials
BA in Political Science from Memphis University, and five years of study in the real estate development summer program at MIT. I was certified as a commercial property manager (CPM-IREM), and currently hold a brokers license in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Awards and Honors
The same plaques and honors that most others in my industry have earned. I have none that I consider especially meaningful.

Past/Present Clients
Past clients include: The World Bank, George Washington University, National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, US Department of Commerce, The American Benefits Council, K-Mart Development, many law firms, a national union, other major organizations, and many, many small business firms and retail operators that I am most honored to serve. I estimate more than 1,500 firms/organizations.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.