sunflower, irrigated, pivot, agreage, land, auctioneer, nebraska, ne, agri affiliates, real estate, land management, appraisal, sales, services

Farm & Ranch Appraisal Services

Real Estate Appraisals play a pivotal role in determining the value of farms, ranches, and recreational properties. Agri Affiliates’ Appraisal Services provide a comprehensive approach, considering various factors that contribute to the overall value of the property. Soil quality, location, building improvements and proximity to essential infrastructure are just a few of the value components considered during the appraisal process.

Our appraisers will consider the historical and potential uses for the property, prevailing market trends in agriculture, and the potential income generated from the land to produce a timely, comprehensive report, detailing proven methodology and a final valuation to help guide landowners through a decision-making process.

Real Estate appraisals are utilized in many important business decisions that you may make, including:

Estate Planning
Corporate Valuation
Financing
Sale or Purchase
Estate Settlement
Property Partition
Ownership Decisions

Our appraisers will work closely with your CPA, Attorney, Banker, or other representative to provide a product designed to fulfill your valuation needs.

Our Appraisals have Endured the Test

Many appraisals prepared by Agri Affiliates have been submitted in court cases and several of our appraisers have provided expert testimony. Most of our appraisal are independently reviewed and continue to withstand the test.

appraisal, agri affiliates, nebraska, colorado, wyoming, south dakota, kansas, missouri, real estate, sales, services, auctions, agriculture, invesment, land, ag, realty, management

feedlot, cattle, bonnie downing, ara, bart woodward, land, auctioneer, nebraska, ne, agri affiliates, real estate, land management, appraisal, sales, services

Certified General Appraiser Requirements

Agricultural Real Estate Appraisal requires specialized knowledge of farming practices, regional factors, and market dynamics. At Agri Affiliates, our Appraisers collaborate with the entire team of Real Estate Professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the unique aspects and market factors.

Licensing

Our Certified General Appraisers are licensed according to state and federal guidelines. Most states have several levels of licensing to indicate the ability and authority of the individual appraiser. Certified General license is required to perform agricultural appraisals and is the highest level of licensure, allowing that appraiser to work on any class of real estate property (agricultural, residential, or commercial). Extensive amounts of continuing education and service hours are required for licensure in all States.

Accreditation

All appraisals prepared by Agri Affiliates are completed under the specific guidelines of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Several of our Certified General Appraisers hold an Accredited Rural Appraiser Designation (ARA) with the ASFMRA.

A significant amount of appraisal experience, advanced education and demonstration of an elite understanding of appraisal theory and techniques are required to earn an ARA designation. Earning an ARA designation is the equivalent to a master’s degree in Agricultural Real Estate Appraisal. Extensive amounts of continuing education are then required by the ASFMRA to maintain the ARA designation.

Specialization

While Certified General Appraisers are authorized to complete appraisals on several different types of real estate properties, most Agri Affiliates appraisers concentrate on agricultural/recreational appraisals. Most of our agricultural/recreational appraisers have developed areas of special interest or specialties that include:

Large Farm or Ranches
Grain Facilities
Livestock Confinement Facilities (Feedlot, Swine, Poultry, Dairies)
Commercial

These specialties allow appraisers to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in specific fields of ag real estate, ensuring accurate and relevant valuations within their chosen areas of expertise. Many times, there is a very short list of qualified appraisers from across the United States who possess this specialized knowledge. Agri Affiliates team of Certified General Appraisers have seasoned experience within their chosen area of specialization.

Agricultural Appraisal Process

Appraising a farm, ranch, recreational, or special use property involves a systematic process to determine the value by understanding the value components that contributes to a property’s value. In lieu of selling a property to determine the value, an appraisal is the best way to determine what your property would sell for, if offered for sale.

1. Purpose

Define the Purpose – It is a Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) requirement for every appraiser to establish the reason for the appraisal – whether it’s for a loan approval, estate planning, taxation, potential real estate sale, or any other specified purpose.

2. Gather Data

Collect comprehensive data about the agricultural property, including details about the land, improvements, and any existing structures. The file will need to contain every factor that might influence productivity or value, including:

• Reviewing Legal Descriptions
• Property Deeds
• Survey Maps
• Easements
• Taxed Acres
• Water Rights & Well Registrations
• NRD (Natural Resources District) Certified Acres, Water Allocation and/or other Rules and Regulations
• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Base Acres
• Leases & Permits

3. Site Visits & Inspection

Appraisers typically conduct a thorough on-site inspection to assess the condition of the land and improvements. This includes evaluating soils quality, topography, drainage, and the overall suitability for agricultural activities. During the inspection, not every acre will be viewed, but the appraiser will need to understand the terrain, fencing, water sites, range condition, quality and condition or irrigation equipment, and such items as access to and within the property. Additionally, extent, condition and utility of building improvements must also be inspected.

4. Determine the Highest and Best Use

The appraiser must analyze all possible uses of the property for physically possible, financially feasible, legally permissible and maximally productive to determine the highest and best use at which to value the property. The appraiser’s determination of the highest and best use may or may not be consistent with the current use of the property.

5. Comparable Sales

Identify and analyze recent sales of similar agricultural properties in the area considering such factors as date of sale, size, land use, soil type, irrigation equipment, and building improvements. This helps in determining the market value based on comparable sales data.

Agri Affiliates developed a GIS (Geographic Information Service) mapping program and a Comparable Sales Database to assist in compiling, storing, and managing detailed property information and sales information. The Comparable Sales program is populated with sales obtained from County offices. The mapping program displays property information as well as sales information for our team of Certified General Appraisers. These programs are proprietary to Agri Affiliates and allow to complete appraisals more efficiently.

6. Income Potential

Assess the income potential of the agricultural property by examining historical and potential crop yields, livestock production, or any other income-generating activities associated with the land.

7. Evaluate Improvements

Examine any improvements on the property, with consideration of their contribution to the overall value.

8. Market Trends

Stay informed about current market trends in agriculture, including commodity prices, supply and demand, and government policies that may impact land values.

9. Reporting

Our appraisers compile a comprehensive report. The report will detail findings about the property, the chosen appraisal approaches, comparable sales data, and the final appraised value.

Agri Affiliate’s appraisers utilize a well-established, consistent narrative format for reporting appraisals. The format is a detailed, written appraisal report that is suitable for all intended uses. Every appraisal is backed by a complete work file to provide evidence that the appraiser properly arrived at the opinion of value.