Appraisal & Valuation Services

For decades, Lewis Realty Advisors has provided consultation for landowners, government agencies, and real estate developers and has provided appraisal services related to right of way acquisitions, construction defects, ad valorem and estate tax valuation, environmental contamination, and economic feasibility and market studies.

Commercial Real Estate Consultation & Valuation

LRA consultants have appraised improved and unimproved properties throughout Texas and the United States for a variety of uses, including subdivisions, apartments, hotels/motels, single family residences, condominium units, mini-storage facilities, industrial buildings, easements, agriculture and ranch land, mobile home parks, office buildings, retail, shopping centers, conservancies, pipeline easements, mineral rights, REITs, and large real estate portfolios. We have also consulted on a number of special-use properties such as marinas, conservation easements, fish farms, dehydrating plants, water-ski parks, an Elk Ranch, a fishing lodge, Riparian Rights for a large copper mine, sand and gravel operations, churches, sports stadiums and arenas, and government buildings. From 2006 – 2009 LRA worked on behalf of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) to provide appraisal review and counseling services for METRO’s expansion of light rail.

During the initial consultation with you, LRA will help you to determine what level of service will be provided to meet your needs, ranging from simple due diligence research to a full written appraisal report offering an opinion of value for the property.

Eminent Domain

Lewis Realty Advisors has considerable experience appraising properties on behalf of landowners whose property is being condemned by government entities under the threat of eminent domain. While the government typically has the right to take your property (as outlined by law), it should pay just compensation: the fair market value of the part taken plus damages to the remainder. Compensatory damages are defined by the courts. It is the appraiser’s responsibility to consider all appropriate elements that impact market value including, but not limited to exposure, access, parking, safety, and other factors. All elements of value and remainder damages considered in the real estate market may not be admissible in the courtroom. It is critical to have experienced counsel that understands both the government power of eminent domain and property valuation. We would also be happy to refer you to trusted attorneys who specialize in eminent domain law.

Once retained, LRA will work with your attorney to provide expert and confidential analysis of the fair market value and damages as a result of the taking. In addition to preparing an appraisal report, LRA will provide expert witness testimony in the Special Commissioners Hearing and through depositions, mediation, and jury trial.

Estate Tax Planning

LRA has valued estates in excess of 100 million dollars throughout Texas and the United States. Confidentiality is paramount. LRA has experience appraising all property types and has considerable experience discounting for undivided interests and market absorption. LRA has worked in conjunction with the most well respected estate attorneys and CPA firms in the United States. LRA prides itself on producing a defendable and supportable valuation that will stand up to IRS scrutiny. LRA goes the extra mile to provide the necessary support for its values, confirming data that only LRA can obtain. Since 1961, LRA has never been challenged by the IRS.

Inverse  Condemnation

Lewis Realty Advisors has valued numerous properties that suffered from inverse condemnation damages as a result of condemnation to a neighboring property.  Our court testimony has resulted in the landowners receiving millions of dollars in damages.

Agricultural and ranch land

Lewis Realty Advisors has appraised working farms and ranches in excess of 40,000 acres throughout Texas and Louisiana.  In addition, LRA has appraised mineral rights on these properties

Environmental contamination

LRA appraisers have been utilized as expert witnesses to appraise the impacts of environmental contamination on real property throughout Texas. 

Conservancies

Lewis Realty Advisors has valued conservancies including large acreage ranches with endangered species habitats

Timber Valuations

Lewis Realty Advisors has valued large acreage timber tracts in excess of 70,000 acres in Texas and Louisiana

Mineral Rights

Lewis Realty Advisors has valued mineral rights for property owners including sand and gravel, oil and natural gas

Pipeline Easements

Lewis Realty Advisors has valued numerous properties for landowners who have had a portion of their property taken by pipeline companies

Water Rights

The value of water and water right ownership has become an increasingly important right to land owners particularly for ranching and oil shale production.  Lewis Realty Advisors has a long history of evaluating the value of  water rights for clients in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and other states.