Unlike other firms, Cortes & Associates, Inc. is not a management company. We do not broker appraisals to other companies and mark them up as most appraisal companies do. We also have one database and therefore when you talk to anyone ion the phone we will always know what information has already been passed along to the caller. We are also not a franchise where you will most likely get lost in the paper shuffle which happens on a daily basis.  What we are is an appraisal company with a business model you haven't seen before.

Our quality starts at the very top. Dave Cortes, ASA, IFAS, our CEO and Chief Appraiser.  Each appraiser is trained by our Chief Appraiser, Dave Cortes, ASA, IFAS, so expect nothing less than an expert to evaluate the property and the market. The end result will speak for itself.  Each report is reviewed by our very own in house underwriter to insure that the quality report you receive is in within guidelines.  This however does not mean that at times human error will not exist.

Thousands or often millions of dollars can ride on a single appraisal.  Therefore, expert knowledge, experience, ethics and professionalism are a must.  That is why over the years, government agencies, courts, financial institutions, developers and brokers have relied upon appraisals prepared by an ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers) and IFAS (Certified member of National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers).

Beware of appraisers who make promises they cannot and will not keep.  The appraiser who promises the lowest fee and fastest turnaround will more than likely not be your best choice.  Beware of those that claim to have a combined experience of over 10 or 20 years.  That only means there adding everyone's time up together, so you could have 10 new appraisers with only 2 years experience each, but they will relay that as over 20 years experience.  Once you request packets from the companies always check their continuing education.  It has been seen that some are just made up.  So contact the place to see if in fact they did take those classes and do have those credentials they claim to possess.  You can always rest assured that the fastest turnaround will mean more corrections will be necessary.  Choose Cortes & Associates, Inc., an appraisal firm that offers a complete package - reasonable fees, prompt service, and an accurate, well-documented value opinion.

When hiring an appraiser, what questions should I ask?

• What type of professional designations do you have and from whom?
• Are you licensed or certified in the state in which you live?
• How long have you (not the company) been in practice?
• What level of experience do you have with this property type?
• References, References, References always check their  references.