CMP Appraisals
Next up, one of the best appraisers in the game, CMP Appraisals. Based out of Virginia Beach, this husband and wife team are 3rd generation appraisers and have been rocking the industry for 8 years. Read on to learn more about this dynamic duo and their business!
Bio about yourself and your business
Well, we describe ourselves as a local, family & veteran-led small business with a BIG vision.
We spent 10 plus years in community helper professions before entering the appraisal industry. Chris served as a U.S. Army Infantry soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and then as a Homicide Detective and SWAT Sniper. Brittany, as a Crisis Family Support Worker and Elementary School Teacher. We met and married in Alexandria, VA, and 10 years, 3 sons who kill us slowly and one princess/daughter later, we carry on the family legacy as a 3rd generation appraisal team.
The best way to explain the career transition is to say that we were ready for a change. We had been watching the successes Dad and Mom, or Michael and Annie Thomas, had with their own appraisal business and we knew we had the mindset, drive, and hunger to take on the appraisal industry. Our kids know CMP is part of our family.
There are definitely some similarities between our past and present career choices.
For example, Chris still spends the majority of his time in people’s homes, only now he is invited; and he definitely prefers showing up to a home knowing the occupants are alive and well.
Britt is still the chief of planning, scheduling, and records; but conferences are usually about preparing for inspection versus the 4th grade cross-curricular science project.
How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?
CMP has given us a way to combine our unified desire to maintain connections with our community and partner with our clients through what we know can be a challenging process.
Whether you’re contacting us as a realtor, a lender, a home buyer or a seller, we provide you with a personalized plan to assist with putting a little ‘Appraisal Prep’ into your step and making the most out of your appraisal.
After inspection, our team personally takes you behind the scenes in understanding our research and analysis methods in an original CMP short video production we send right to your inbox. Grab the popcorn for this 59 second feature!
We’ve embraced technology as our BFF and this has allowed our processes to be completed efficiently and with the precision we know our clients depend on. Reports are electronically delivered immediately upon completion, and follow-up phone calls scheduled regarding any questions.
Every call that we take, every inspection we perform, it all goes back to strengthening relationships and the community we serve. That’s the heart of CMP Appraisals.
What is your best tip for navigating the current housing market?
Our best tip– when all else fails, TELL THE TRUTH. Appraisers are CYA animals. If we feel like something is being hidden from us, we start asking more questions and for more documentation.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about real estate transactions?
There are many, many hands that go into pulling off a successful real estate transaction beginning to end. We’ve come to learn just how important it is for each ‘area expert’ to provide answers to the questions the client doesn’t even know to ask.
Prelisting appraisals, pros and cons of doing one?
We only see pros here 😉 and we are not just saying that. We like to give the analogy of the market resembling one of those old station-wagons where half the passengers are facing forwards and the other half are facing backwards. The appraiser’s job is to opine the historical market data and the realtor’s job is to project the market value.
Additional perks of a pre-listing:
• provides accurate square footage measurement
• helps establish value when a CMA doesn’t pull up much or an agent and seller haven’t agreed on a listing price
• provides the extra security, confidence or even marketing chip
• offers pro tips on areas of a home that could use a little TLC to make the most on ROI (return on investment)
• mitigates the potential for appraisal repairs, conditions and the ever-present ‘unexpected’ before the closing table
What advice do you have for first-time home sellers?
Our best advice: Get an agent! In this market you need representation. We’ve seen a lot of what starts off with good intentions go south quick.
Are there any tips or tricks you want potential clients to know?
YES! Check out our new website—coming end of May/early June
Where can people find you?
IG: @CMP_Appraisals
FB:CMP Appraisals-VA BeachPrivate Group: Appraisal Optics
Ask REALTOR® Richard 