sometimes there is value in something unexpected

Today I began a new adventure.  One telephone call sometimes leads to so much. Since my valuation career began in 1986 with Harvey Hooks & Associates, I have only REALLY been self-employed. (In the interest of full disclosure, I did a gig for a local Chattanooga brokerage managing for 12 months, but not as an appraiser).

About eighteen moths ago, I spoke with a much respected colleague and mentor about my next step as an appraiser. I had done some review work, but believed that further experience and more full time review appraising would make me a better appraiser and expert witness.  I asked him how I might go about that.

Fast forward to a conversation with the right of way procurement folks at Tennessee DOT and with their encouragement, I applied for a job, in Chattanooga of all places, as a staff review appraiser.  My major concern was continuing my appraisal and litigation support practice. They said 'no problem' and offered me the position.

One nights' sleep was all I needed to accept. I look forward to this new challenge. Everyone I have met so far at TDOT has been great!  

I am grateful for the opportunity. 

Measure what is measurable, and render measurable what is not

This summer, our family was VERY fortunate to have been able to travel it Italy, and live for about five weeks south of Florence in a little town called San Donato in Poggio.  Needless to say, it was lovely in so many ways.

One of my favorite things after taking the bus to Florence many days, was the "Galileo" Museum.  I think they must call it this for better branding and PR, but truthfully it is a wonderful place full of Galileo and much much more.

As any good touristica would do, I purchased a t-shirt.  This one speaks to my heart as a total numbers geek, and I wear it this morning for the good mojo to find billboard site sales (an endeavour that in the past two attempts has been fruitless).

I like the sentiment, as an appraiser, broker and consultant.  Measure what is is measurable and render measurable that which is not.  I think he means if we cannot measure it, we have only not yet devised a way.  And, keep trying until you figure it out.  

I am taking it as a personal message from Galileo Galilei.

Dove è il valore?

For the past five weeks, our family has lived just south of Florence, Italy in a small town named San Donato in Poggio.  Returning yesterday, with twelve hours of flying and about nineteen of travel time, I am tired, excited, sad, happy, and reminiscent, already.

We stayed in a wonderful apartment, huge by Italian standards, with three bedrooms and one full bath, a balcony patio with tiled floors, a full kitchen WITH dishwasher, and even a clothes washing machine.  The people in town were very lovely and warm and we enjoyed meeting them all.

It was very interesting to me to see that even in a city so busy as Florence in the Tuscany region, with about 370,000 people (which swells to almost 2million during summer season), there are quite a few "affittasti" or available spaces to rent.  Also, many of the signs say "negoziabili" although I noticed this one more in Biella, a city of about 45,000 in the Piedmont region.

There were, fewer than I would have imagined, "immobiliare" or real estate offices.  Prices, however, quoted in Euros seemed reasonable until I did the current math, about $0.75 US dollars to the $1.00 Euro.

I guess if I want to live there, I will need to save a bit of cash.  It was really lovely!!  (and I particularly like this one, which does not even quote a price until you apply - in other words, if you have to ask . . . )