Real Estate Appraisal and Consulting For Government

Lake State Realty is proud to be a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) as well as a Targeted Group Small Business.

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Real estate decisions should always be made based on comprehensive research and analysis. Whether you are an urban planner, city attorney, engineer, senior manager, or other government staff, Lake State Realty can help assist you in making real estate decisions that affect where people live, work, learn, and play.

Appraisal Services

Lake State Realty has been routinely conducting appraisals for a variety of governmental units such as cities, counties, states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan, and Ohio), the Federal Government, and quasi-governmental entities since 1991. We are able to provide appraisal services for a wide variety of property types as well as purposes. We are pleased to serve government units and help those organizations efficiently execute their projects. 

Our firm has the ability to provide litigation support for any of your valuation needs. This includes expert witness testimony in support of all our procedures, methodology, and independent appraisal report information.

Local, State, and Federal Property Appraisals

The appraisal of institutional assets or real property owned by government units is considered more complex than traditional property types. One of the challenges in appraising public real property is the lack of comparable data. Public properties are traded hands with less frequency so there are less sales data available to consider. This, however, will not deter a seasoned appraiser, or the appraisers at Lake State Realty who have experience valuing public land and buildings. If there exists no comparable sales data there are other methodologies that the appraisal profession has developed such as the cost and income approach. To add to the complexity, the current use may not be (and likely isn’t) the highest and best use of the property. Regardless of the circumstances, we will determine the best appraisal method for a given public property and our professional real estate appraisers will be able to handle the task.

Eminent Domain and Condemnation

Lake State Realty provides government clients with accurate reports and full-service support for projects that involve condemnation. This includes appraisals of all property types with acquisitions of varying complexities. We have been involved in several large right-of-way projects in recent years, as outlined at the bottom of the page.

Guidelines, Regulations, and Requirements

Lake State Realty performs appraisals and valuation services that comply with the strictest guidelines, regulations, and requirements. The following is a list of the guidelines, regulations, and requirements that we are familiar with and able to adhere to:

  • The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
  • Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA, aka “Yellow Book”)
  • Rule 26 of Minnesota Civil Procedure
  • Section 301 of the Uniform Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 enabling law 49 part 24
  • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Appraisal Guidelines
  • The Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way Manual
  • Chapter 117 of Minnesota Statutes – Eminent Domain
  • Chapter 429 of Minnesota Statutes –  Local Improvements, Special Assessments
  • League of Minnesota Cities Special Assessment Toolkit
  • And more supplemental standards which many public entities require

Ultimately, an appraiser’s role with government agencies is to guide them to make virtuous real estate decisions that add to the quality of life within a community at a price that is fair to the taxpayers and affected property owners. In the end, proper valuation is the cornerstone to enable the government unit to make sound and prosperous decisions to serve its citizens. 

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Consulting Services

In addition to appraisal services, we provide real estate consulting services that recognize and appreciate the unique requirements and aspects of the public sector.  We can provide a full complement of real estate advisory services to all levels of government. Whether you are seeking guidance and support through determining appropriate valuation for parkland dedication, valuation analysis for budgeting purposes, site selection, or you are looking to understand your specific market through the real estate cycle, Lake State Realty can assist you!

 

Government agencies are regularly tasked with collecting pertinent information to make decisions about real estate. Whether it is to secure funding to build out an infrastructure project or to ensure special projects are initiated efficiently and effectively, governmental units must undertake these complicated decisions to ensure they are being fiscally responsible with the taxpayer dollar. Due to the gravity of these decisions, it is essential that the right expertise and experience are engaged to assist with the decision-making process. 

Our commitment to project continuity and transparency, together with our understanding of government responsibilities and political forces, has resulted in a consulting service that is sure to translate into successful outcomes for public sector clients. 

Our services to government entities include (link to each one): 

Appraisal and Consulting Services for Government

If you work for a governmental entity or if you are legal counsel representing a government entity, give our office a call and we would be happy to provide a quote for our appraisal and/or consulting services. We look forward to hearing from you!

Past Clients:

City Of Dayton
NTSB
State Of Minnesota
MN DHS
City Of Oak Grove
Carver County
MAC
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Anoka County
US Fish And Wildlife
City Of White Bear Lake
Rice Creek Watershed District
NPS
Bureau Of Indian Affairs
MnDOT
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Scott County
Minnesota Department Of Revenue
City Of Blaine
Chisago County
Washington County
US Department Of Homeland Security
US Army Corp Of Engineers
MN Department Of Natural Resources
Met Transit
Hennepin County
City Of Fridley
GSA
City Of Saint Francis
FDIC
City Of Saint Paul
Wright County
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Department Of The Treasury
Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
Minneapolis Park And Recreation Board
Ramsey County
Bemidji Regional Airport
US Marshall Service
City Of Buffalo, MN
Dakota County
City Of Minneapolis
Moundsview
United States Department Of The Interior
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