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Phone: (403) 374-8819 • Fax: (403) 770 8532 • Mailing Address: 166 Rocky Vista Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 5B9


Frequently Asked Questions


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An appraisal is an opinion of value. It can either be written or oral.
We are all members in good standing with the Appraisal Institute of Canada.
AACI, P.App – Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute – Appraisals of all types of properties

CRA – Canadian Residential Appraiser – Appraisal limited to residential, small acreages and multi-family properties not containing more than four units.
We service Calgary and its greater area. We have provided quotes on major assignments in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Southern Ontario. We never got them.
No. There was recently a reciprocal agreement with the Appraisal Institute of Canada and the American Institute use of the AACI and MAI (Member of American Institute). Obtaining a MRICS (Marginal Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) also would give us the advantage to do assignments in America and overseas.
Here at RDS Appraisal Group we always welcome newcomers and those who want a chance to become an appraiser at entry level. For those who want to be an appraiser with our Firm, first demand must warrant it, secondly you must be in good standing with the Appraisal Institute of Canada, have professional liability insurance coverage and be licensed with RECA Real Estate Council of Alberta.
Most appraisal requests we receive are for financing purposes. A small minority are asset management purposes such as post matrimonial or Estate property division, litigation, injurious affection and offering memorandums.
No, only if the market supports it. To come up with a preconceived value that is not supported is unethical.
Basically it is a dishonest tactic of obtaining a down payment that looks good on paper when no down payment has been made. Although some forms of mortgage fraud is legal it is frowned on in the Appraisal, mortgage and real estate industry. Parties that are caught in this scheme will often face disciplinary action with RECA, AIC or any real estate board such as expulsion and heavy fines.

If you are purchasing a property with no monies down and need financing, please DO NOT ask us to complete the appraisal.
We are on most lists of lending institutions either under the name Anadyr Appraisals or my personal name – Richard D. Sieben. Please consult with your lender.
Give your reasons why you are not happy with the value? Provide us with some comparables or get a second opinion from an AIC appraisal firm.
AMC is commonly known as Appraisal Management Company. What they are is the middle man between the appraisal firm and lender. In Canada there are about five AMCs. AMCs mostly work with conventional lenders such as banks, credit unions and near banks like ATB Financial. If you are going to get a sizable loan or a second mortgage on your property, your lender will ask for an appraisal and they will call an AMC and the AMC will choose an appraisal firm. The borrower has no say to which appraisal firm they would like to use in most cases. That is up to the AMC. Unless it is a commercial property, most lenders will make that exception.

Appraisers could either love or hate appraisal management companies. A good point is they pay on time for appraisers. The downside for most AMCs is they will pocket 30-50% of the fee after settlement with the participating appraisal firms. AMCs are also very competitive to appraisal firms who do not use them.