Our Appraisal Team
Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company's Appraisal Department provides accurate, timely, and certified property valuations. With decades of experience across rural land, farm operations, and agri-business assets, our team serves landowners, financial institutions, attorneys, and estate planners across the state of Indiana. Backed by a company that handles over 300 auctions annually, our appraisers are deeply immersed in real-world transactions involving farmland, estates, equipment, and more. This hands-on exposure to a wide variety of property types enables us to deliver accurate, data-driven market valuations that reflect current market trends.
Contact Information
Fred Geyer
Cameron Scott
Jason Slonaker
Garrett Geiger
Areas of Specialization
We focus on rural and agricultural assets, including:
- Farms & Farmland
- Irrigated and Dryland
- Recreational & Timberland
- Commercial Agricultural Properties
- Estate Settlements
- Lending & Mortgage Support
- Livestock Facilities
- Grain Storage Facilities
- Equipment Appraisals
- Single Asset Appraisals
- Portfolio Appraisals
Connect With Us or Request an Appraisal
Ready to get started with a professional appraisal? Contact our team today to discuss your property valuation needs.
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Appraisal FAQ's
1. What is a land appraisal?
A land appraisal is a professional assessment of vacant land value, conducted by a certified land appraiser. It determines the fair market value of land based on location, zoning laws, accessibility, topography, and development potential. A thorough land valuation report helps buyers, sellers, and lenders make informed real estate decisions.
2. Why do I need a land appraisal?
A land appraisal is crucial for real estate transactions, refinancing, estate planning, investment strategies, land development, tax basis establishment, and several other variables. It ensures an accurate estimate of the current market value of vacant land, helping you secure fair financing or negotiate competitive prices. They offer an unbiased, data-driven estimate of your land's value.
3. How does the land appraisal process work?
The land valuation process begins with a professional inspection, where an appraiser evaluates land size, access to roads and utilities, zoning regulations, market trends, and comparable land sales. Using data analytics and real estate market comparisons, the appraiser creates a detailed land appraisal report outlining the property's market value.
4. What factors affect the value of land?
Key factors impacting land value include location, soil quality, drainage components, irrigation, zoning laws, nearby infrastructure, development potential, topography, access to utilities, and market demand. Land with road accessibility, proximity to commercial areas, and future development prospects often receives a higher appraisal valuation.
Our Collaborative Advantage
At Schrader, our Appraisal Department benefits from a one-of-a-kind environment - working alongside experienced land brokers, auctioneers, and farmers every day. This proximity gives our appraisers access to real-time market insights, boots-on-the-ground perspectives, and trusted advice from professionals actively involved in Indiana's rural land market.
It's not just about individual experience - it's the collective knowledge we have access to. Whether it's discussing recent sales, evaluating development potential, or identifying unique features of a property, our team approach allows us to provide well-rounded, informed valuations that few others can match.
Certifications
Professional Organizations
Quarterly Updates
Click to view our latest quarterly market update
Purposes and Benefits of an Appraisal
In the ever-changing world of agricultural real estate, where the value of land, commodities, equipment, and infrastructure can vary significantly over time, understanding what your assets are truly worth is essential. For landowners, investors, lenders, and farmers, a professional real estate appraisal provides a clear, unbiased assessment that supports sound decision-making when it comes to rural property.
At Schrader, our agricultural real estate appraisals go beyond simply measuring acreage or building size. We take a comprehensive approach - evaluating soil types and quality, drainage systems, historical crop yields, property improvements, and current market dynamics. By combining local expertise with detailed market data, we're able to produce reliable valuations that reflect the true value of farmland and related assets.
Whether you're purchasing land, applying for financing, planning a succession, or simply wanting a clearer picture of your property's worth, a professional appraisal can make all the difference. Accurate appraisals are key to identifying investment potential, negotiating fair market values, and building long-term strategies for your agricultural business.
One area we specialize in is estate and succession planning - especially when it comes to date of death appraisals. These valuations determine the fair market value of a property as of the owner's passing. This value can play a critical role in dividing assets among heirs and may also be required for IRS reporting and potential estate tax implications. A fair market value at the date of death establishes a "stepped-up" basis for the property, which can significantly impact capital gains taxes if the land is sold in the future.
Having a qualified appraisal at the right time ensures that families can make informed, equitable decisions and avoid unnecessary disputes. It also creates a foundation for transitioning land and assets to the next generation in a thoughtful, organized way.
There are many reasons you might need a real estate appraisal - whether it's for borrowing, settling an estate, or gaining a better understanding of your financial position. At Schrader, we're committed to providing accurate, timely appraisals that help our clients protect and plan for the future of their land. With deep roots in agricultural real estate, our team is here to help you build value and move forward with confidence.