About Donald J. Erbes
Donald J. Erbes is a New York State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser with 25 years of experience in residential real estate valuation. His professional background in real estate extends back to the early 1990s.
Donald began his career as a rental agent for a property management company before moving into residential real estate sales. His experience included representing a builder participating in a subsidized new-home construction program in the City of Buffalo involving single-family homes developed on infill lots throughout the city. This provided early exposure to new construction, neighborhood redevelopment and the interaction between real estate and community development.
Donald maintains a New York State real estate broker's license for continuing education and professional development, but is not actively engaged in real estate sales.
After several years in real estate, Donald transitioned into residential appraisal. He completed a two-year internship with a local appraisal firm under the supervision of a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser. He later joined a larger regional appraisal company that was subsequently acquired by a national appraisal firm.
Donald established his own independent appraisal practice in 2004 and incorporated Erbes Appraisals, Inc. in 2006. During the years that followed, he worked closely with a Certified General Appraiser who was also a municipal building code enforcement officer. He later supervised an appraiser trainee for approximately two years.
An Evolving Appraisal Practice
Over the years, Donald's appraisal practice has evolved considerably. While mortgage lending represented a significant portion of his earlier work, his primary focus today is private and special-purpose residential appraisal.
His work includes estate, probate and trust matters; date-of-death and retrospective valuations; divorce, buyouts and family transfers; Medicaid and asset-planning matters; charitable contributions; private-party transactions; relocation; appraisal review; and tax-related valuation. He also completes conventional, FHA and USDA lending assignments.
His assignments have included rural and acreage properties, waterfront properties, multi-family residences, solar-equipped homes and properties located within historic districts. His experience also includes properties affected by land-use and environmental considerations, including wetlands and floodplains.
Donald has also completed valuation assignments associated with government-funded housing and community-development programs and other assignments requiring research beyond a typical residential mortgage appraisal.
Today, Erbes Appraisals serves property owners, families, attorneys, lenders and other professionals throughout Western New York, with an increasing emphasis on independent private appraisal and complex residential valuation assignments.
Continuing Education & Professional Development
Donald views continuing education as an essential part of professional appraisal practice. Throughout his 25 years in residential valuation, he has consistently pursued education beyond minimum licensing requirements. His studies have emphasized knowledge applicable to complex and specialized appraisal assignments.
His advanced education through the Appraisal Institute has included professional development programs in Litigation and Valuation of Sustainable Buildings. He has pursued advanced coursework toward the SRA and AI-RRS designations.
Donald believes that experience provides an important foundation, but that it should be continually strengthened through further study, critical analysis and an understanding of evolving appraisal standards, methodology and technology.
Professional Qualifications
Donald is a New York State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser and an Approved New York State Supervisory Appraiser.
His professional credentials and affiliations include AGA™ – American Guild of Appraisers; Candidate for Designation, Appraisal Institute; Candidate, American Society of Appraisers; MNAA – National Association of Appraisers; FHA Roster Appraiser; Member – Worldwide ERC®; and NYS Unified Court System Part 36 – Approved.
A Commitment to Independent Valuation
After more than two decades in appraisal practice, Donald continues to approach each assignment with the same fundamental objective: to provide an independent, well-supported opinion of value appropriate for the client's intended use.
Whether the appraisal is needed for an estate, legal or financial matter, private decision, relocation or mortgage-related purpose, the work emphasizes appropriate research, market-supported analysis and clear communication of the appraisal conclusions.