Today we’d like to introduce you to John Tsiaousis.
John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got my first job at 16 years old as a bag boy at Dominick’s Finer Foods and worked there through high school. After high school a friend of mine help me get a job at a health insurance company. Which was great as the pay was much better with more conventional hours than a grocery store. I had worked there a couple of years and left as there was always rumors of the company being sold to bigger carriers who already had their own staff. I had another friend of mine who worked at Swedish Covenant Hospital and help me get a similar job. The pay was a little better and I was 5 minutes from home so I took the plunge. After about a year I got bored with the work as it wasn’t challenging anymore. Climbing the corporate ladder didn’t seem appealing and there was always going to be someone telling me how much I can advance and that thought never really sat well with me. My brother in-law, who is in commercial real estate in Chicago, in a casual conversation said “you should become a real estate appraiser”. I was always curious about real estate especially seeing the Carlton Sheets infomercials back then so I went for it. I signed up for real estate appraisal classes and I just could not get enough. After I got my license I started to work with an appraiser in Chicago that my brother in-law knew and started my apprenticeship. I could see from the very beginning the opportunities were limitless and my success was dependent on my abilities and not some else deciding how much success I was going to have. Every day was and is exciting as I’m always meeting new people, seeing new things and experiencing new challenges. After a few years I started my own company and got involved in other areas of real estate. The majority of appraisals in Chicago I did were for mortgage lending. After the housing crash in 2008, appraisers were scrambling for work. The little mortgage lending work that was available was not paying what it used to and the level of work increased greatly running many home appraisers out of the industry. I was better off than most as I was also involved in other areas of real estate which really allowed me to be more selective. Around 2012 I made the decision to switch from doing appraisals for mortgage lending to private appraisals or what I call non-lender appraisals. Non lender appraisals are geared to the homeowner and cover divorce appraisals, bankruptcy appraisals, appraisals for buyouts, estate appraisals, date of death appraisals, retrospective appraisals, appraisals for PMI removal, appraisals for immigration, appraisals for elder care planning, property tax appeal appraisals, pre-listing & FSBO appraisals and purchase appraisals. I appraise single-family homes, condos, townhomes, 2-flats, 3-flats and 4-flat. I love the non-lender side of appraisals as I get to work directly with the homeowner. It’s very satisfying and important work as homeowners are going through a transition in life, making major decisions and I help fill the gaps.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m always looking to improve and I think is largely why I haven’t had major struggles along the way.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chicagoland Appraisals – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in non-lender appraisals. Non lender appraisals are geared to the homeowner and cover divorce appraisals, bankruptcy appraisals, appraisals for buyouts, estate appraisals, date of death appraisals, retrospective appraisals, appraisals for PMI removal, appraisals for immigration, appraisals for elder care planning, property tax appeal appraisals, pre-listing & FSBO appraisals and purchase appraisals. I appraise single-family homes, condos, townhomes, 2-flats, 3-flats and 4-flat. I love the non-lender side of appraisals as I get to work directly with the homeowner. It’s very satisfying and important work as homeowners are going through a transition in life, making major decisions and I help fill the gaps.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
As you may have guessed by now I like variety. The best thing like about our city is we get all seasons. My least favorite seasons are winter and construction 🙂
Contact Info:
- Address: 3332 W Foster Ave, #240
Chicago, IL 60625 - Website: www.chicagolandappraisals.com
- Phone: 773-800-0269
- Email: chicagolandappraisals@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagolandAppraisals/app/562930457051625/
- Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicagoland-appraisals-chicago
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