A Note from Mitchell Simonson, MAI
As we close out 2025, I want to thank our clients and professional partners for the trust you have placed in Simonson Appraisals throughout the year. The work we are entrusted to perform continues to increase in both volume and complexity, reinforcing the importance of disciplined methodology, clear communication, and a team built to meet high expectations. Setting the standard in commercial real estate appraisal requires continued investment in education, people, and process and this quarter reflects that commitment as we prepare for the year ahead.
Raising the Bar on Valuations
This year, I completed the third and final course in the Appraisal Institute’s three-part Litigation Development Program. While the program is designed to strengthen appraisal work in contested environments, its impact extends far beyond the courtroom.
The most valuable takeaway is not about advocacy or outcomes. It is about developing appraisal methodology that is clear, well-supported, and aligned with how real decisions are made by attorneys, judges, lenders, assessors, and property owners.
Complex valuation assignments rarely fail because of arithmetic errors. They fail when:
- Methodology is not clearly articulated
- Assumptions are implied rather than stated
- The analysis does not align with the legal or financial question being asked
This advanced training has strengthened how our team approaches scope definition, data selection, methodology support, and documentation. The result is appraisal work that is easier to rely upon, easier to review, and easier to defend.
A Multi-Faceted Practice Requires a Higher Standard
Simonson Appraisals operates across a wide range of valuation disciplines, including:
- Property tax appeal
- Condemnation and right-of-way work
- Litigation support
- Estate planning and related valuation needs
- Bank and institutional financing
Each of these assignment types carries different risks, audiences, and decision-making frameworks. A valuation prepared for lending purposes must withstand a different form of scrutiny than one prepared for condemnation or litigation. Advanced litigation-focused training elevates our work across all of these areas by reinforcing disciplined analysis and defensible reasoning.
Our focus remains consistent: delivering valuation conclusions that reflect market behavior, are clearly explained, and stand up under review.
Strengthening Our Team to Better Serve Our Clients
We are pleased to welcome an MAI-designated appraiser this month with significant experience in bank and institutional financing assignments, as well as before-and-after valuation projects. This expertise enhances our capacity to manage complex valuation scenarios involving multiple value conclusions and heightened review standards.
We have also hired a pending real estate college graduate, who will be joining our firm in late January 2026. This addition reflects our long-term commitment to developing talent and maintaining continuity for our clients well into the future.
These team investments are intentional and designed to:
• Elevate the technical depth of our appraisal team
• Improve responsiveness as workloads increase
• Ensure senior-level oversight on complex assignments
• Maintain the level of service our clients expect
We are grateful for the confidence our clients place in us and take that responsibility seriously.
As we move into 2026, our clients can expect continued focus on:
- Clear and thoughtful scope definition
- Strong methodology support
- Appraisal reports that are practical, credible, and decision-ready
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead!