APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT
Appraisal Management is a function that must be performed in a public acquisition project, either by the agency or the consultant. Our Acquisition Manager and Project Coordinators perform this service by accomplishing the following tasks:
Selection of the Appraiser
All negotiations are predicated on the value established in the appraisal, and confirmed by a review of the appraisal, when required. An appraiser who is qualified and experienced performing public acquisition appraisals, and who can identify the key elements of discussion is a fundamental requirement for a project. In addition to David Feinauer, Principal at RWA, who is an Oregon Certified General Appraiser, we have associated with a number of qualified appraisers who are experienced in valuing easements and other partial takings required for many public projects. We are familiar with each appraiser's area of expertise and can match appropriate competencies with assignments as needed.
Providing Essential Information
Each appraiser must have certain parcel and project information in order to provide a workable report. Some or all of the following must be provided: Title reports, construction plans, legal descriptions and diagrams of acquisition areas, delivery deadlines, survey information, specialty reports such as equipment and fixture, environmental studies are items that may be required by he appraiser. Any that are not available must be identified so the appraiser can obtain them. The appraiser needs an explicit understanding of the underlying assumptions of the assignment. These must be clarified between the appraiser and the agency prior to obtaining a fee commitment or beginning work.
The appraiser must also have a clear understanding of the purpose of the appraisal, who will be using it, and what the client expects to accomplish with the report.
Obtaining Cost and Schedule Commitments
The project schedule must be communicated, and an acceptable fee agreed on. Ambiguity regarding the availability of information, the impact of the project, or the exact scope of the appraisal, usually results in higher costs due to the inherent risk to the appraiser.