Don shared their appraisal experience with Financial Partner magazine:

“Brian is the seventh generation to farm in Ripley. We relied on three Farm Credit appraisals to prepare for the future and protect our assets. A few years ago, we used an appraisal in our estate planning to incorporate and establish a gifting plan. We needed to defend the transfer valuation in case it was ever contested.

“We also cited an appraisal when we felt that our dairy facilities were over assessed. Doug’s appraisal demonstrated that the market value was less than the assessment so the reduced tax assessment paid for the appraisal in the first year alone.

“Most recently, we considered selling some acreage with development potential. While all sorts of figures came to mind, we needed confidence in the real value. We did not give Doug much time, but he delivered a timely commercial property appraisal so we were able to negotiate. Mary Beth and I supported our position with confidence.

“Doug’s certified appraisals are a minor cost as compared to potential consequences and IRS estate transfer penalties.”