Why Choose us
Choosing an appraiser is choosing whose judgment you'll rely on for one of your biggest financial decisions. Here's what you get with us:
Local since 1993. We've appraised in the central Upper Peninsula for more than 30 years, through every kind of market. We know the neighborhoods, the camps and waterfront, and the rural properties that don't fit a standard comparison.
Experienced leadership. Our owner, Catherine Quayle, has appraised in this market since 1995 and has led the firm since 2021. With more than 30 years of local appraisal experience, she brings a long view of how Upper Peninsula property values move and what drives them.
Certified appraisers on every report. Every appraiser on our staff holds a Michigan Certified Residential credential. Your report is never handed off to an uncredentialed assistant.
Reports that hold up. Our reports are developed to USPAP and to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA requirements, with adjustments supported by local market data, so they move through underwriting and stand up to review.
Accurate measurements. We measure to the ANSI Z765-2021 standard, the same standard lenders require, so square footage is consistent and defensible.
Eight-county coverage. Marquette, Alger, Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Iron, Dickinson and Schoolcraft Counties, served by appraisers who live and work here.
Independent and insured. We have no stake in the outcome of any transaction, and we carry Errors & Omissions insurance.
Understanding the local market is our full-time job. Whether you're a lender, attorney, real estate agent or homeowner, we provide independent, well-supported opinions of value so you can make decisions with confidence. Our services include:
Mortgage Appraisals
Our appraisers are on the approved lists of local lenders and most national lenders and appraisal management companies. We complete Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, MSHDA, Relocation (ERC) and REO assignments, and we know each program's property and reporting requirements so your report moves through underwriting without avoidable delays.
Pre-Listing AND REVIEW Appraisals
A pre-listing appraisal gives sellers and their agents an independent, documented opinion of value before the home goes on the market. Whether you're selling on your own or with a Realtor, it helps you set a realistic price, anticipate a buyer's appraisal, and negotiate with confidence.
We also provide field and desk reviews of appraisals completed by other appraisers, for lenders, attorneys and homeowners who want a second, independent look.
Price-Improvement Appraisal
If your home has been on the market longer than expected, the list price may not be supported by current sales. An independent appraisal shows where your home fits in today's market and gives you and your agent a documented basis for any price adjustment.
Commercial Appraisal Services
Commercial properties, including office, retail, restaurant, industrial, apartment buildings of five or more units, and commercially zoned land, require a Certified General appraiser. We don't perform commercial appraisals in-house, but we can arrange the assignment with a qualified Certified General appraiser we trust. Call us and we'll get you connected.
Divorce Appraisals
When a marriage ends, the home is often the largest asset to be divided, and both parties need a value they can rely on. We provide independent appraisals for attorneys, mediators and individuals, including retrospective values as of a date set by the court or the parties. Our appraisers can also provide expert testimony when needed.
Estate/Inheritance and Tax Appraisals
Estates, trusts and inheritances often require a value as of a specific past date, such as the date of death. We provide retrospective appraisals for personal representatives, trustees, attorneys and accountants, for estate settlement, distribution among heirs, and establishing tax basis.
We also prepare appraisals for property tax appeals before the local Board of Review or the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Foreclosure & REO Appraisals
We can provide the detailed information lenders need to decide what to do with foreclosed or Real Estate Owned properties, including accurate assessments of the property both “as is” and “as if repaired.”
Home Measurement Services for Realtors/Owners
Square footage is one of the most important factors in pricing a home, and one of the most common sources of disputes. Our staff measures to the ANSI Z765-2021 standard required by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and provides a floor plan sketch and dimension list you can use for NCMLS listings and marketing.
Call us directly for our fee schedule which can vary depending on the Scope of Work, location and type of property.