It's Only An Opinion

Hank's book is an interesting and educational romp through some of the important real estate appraisal experiences in his long and illustrious career. This book should be required reading, and get continuing education credit for freshman appraisers--both residential and commercial. It is a great proxy for experience in general business and contracting with expert witnesses. Where else could an aspiring expert witness spend a few fun hours and learn about: Important professional associations and designations Intangible assets; statistics and probability Daubert and Khumo tests for expertness in court The nature of Florida wetlands A ton of definitions normally treated in courses Methods of business appraisers 'Across the fence' valuations Collecting one's fee from disgruntled clients New, senior living centers like CCRCs Stories behind prominent Atlanta real estate landmarks Aspects of getting into and retiring from appraisal firms You also will learn colorful new terms of speech such as: 'Even a bass wouldn't get in much trouble if he learned to keep his mouth shut.' 'Growing chickens are machines to transform corn into chicken and fertilizer.' 'It's much more important to be believed than to be right when you are an expert witness.' He offers great advice to prospective litigating clients. My favorite anecdote is the one about Continuing Care Retirement Communities; all appraisers should read this one. Hank is illuminating while teaching in this book and not afraid to help us readers by sharing mistakes anybody could have made and learned from. --James D. Jim Vernor is Chairman Emeritus of Real Estate, Georgia State University, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served on the full-time faculty from 1974 through 1997. He has a BBA, MBA and PhD all from the University of Wisconsin, with majors in real estate and finance. He holds the MAI and is currently serving a third term as a member of the DeKalb County Georgia Board of Tax Assessors Hank is a master storyteller. He takes the esoteric topic of appraisal and weaves it into an entertaining and informative memoir of his life's work. I couldn't put it down! --Sandra Zayac, public finance attorney Partner at Arnall, Golden & Gregory, LLP Hank and I were to testify in the same case on the behalf of the same client. I was up one day, and Hank was testifying the next day. The cross-examining attorney asked me: 'Why are you getting paid only $150/hour, whereas Mr. Wise, who is testifying tomorrow, gets paid more than twice as much?' I turned to the jury and said: 'You will find out tomorrow!' --Joe Kusmik, independent appraiser