Our Appraisals Services

Brett W. Berger- Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA),

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

& Licensed Real Estate Broker

Brett Berger is Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in both Illinois and Indiana with almost 30 years of appraisal experience.  In additon to this, he is an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) from the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers, and a member of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 

Appraisers who have received the ARA designation are trained and tested to ensure that they are equipped with the tools necessary to tackle a wide spectrum of real estate valuation assignments. 

Approximately one half of all land found within the United States is utilized in some form of agricultural production and even more is included in uses such as rural residential and recreational properties.  At the same time, the number of appraisers that have been educated and trained in this specific type of real estate is a relatively small percentage of the appraiser workforce. 

Accredited Rural Appraisers (ARA) are trained by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.  ARAs are all state Certified General Real Estate Appraisers. 

In addition being state certified, those with the ARA certification must meet the following qualifications:

• Successfully complete coursework focusing in the appraisal of rural real estate
• Have a minimum of 5 years of appraisal experience
• Provided a detailed appraisal log, and submit random reports for technical review.
• Submit a demonstration rural appraisal report for review.
• Successfully pass an accrediting examination consisting of written, oral and case study sections. 

The ARA is required to complete continuing education each year, and adhere to strict standards of professional conduct.