Dunbar Appraisial Services, Lafayette, LA Real Estate Agents

Gerald Dunbar

(Louisiana Certified Real Estate Appraiser #R0804)

Article by Kathy Yates, REALTOR® Association of Acadiana

A native of Opelousas, Gerald Dunbar moved to Lafayette to attend the University of Louisiana in 1969 and has considered Lafayette his home ever since. He earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Prior to his entry into real estate he worked in insurance sales, restaurant and retail management, petroleum lease brokerage and computer sales and consulting. His real estate education began at the Acadiana School of Real Estate and continues with course and seminars offered through the Appraisal Institute, the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisal Board and the Federal Housing Authority.

Gerald has been actively engaged in real estate appraisal since 1989. In 1997 he became Residentially Certified with the State of Louisiana and began a sole appraisal practice, Dunbar Appraisal Services. Gerald is married and has three children and five grandchildren. His son Mark has joined him in his profession.

Dunbar Appraisal Services is a leading provider of real estate valuations for the mortgage-lending marketplace. With many years of experience in the business, we have a proven track record of reducing time, efforts and costs in managing the appraisal process. The primary appraisal products offered are: Full Residential Appraisal; Limited Residential Appraisal with interior inspection; Small Residential Income Property - 1 to 4 units; Complete ERC Appraisal; and Residential Land & Small Acreage Appraisal. For someone interested in real estate appraisals as a career Dunbar suggests, “Invest in yourself with a good education and find a mentor in the profession.”

Dunbar is active in his profession through his membership as an Associate Member in the Appraisal Instutite, Employee Relocation Council (ERC), REALTOR® Association of Acadiana, Louisiana Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®. His community service includes the Rotary Club of Lafayette and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church High School youth ministry to name a few.

Dunbar served on the REALTOR® Association of Acadiana (RAA) Board of Directors and was the MLS Committee Chair during 2004. He has served also served on the RAA Grievance Committee. “Being a member of RAA has expanded my understanding of the real estate industry by allowing me to view concepts from different industry disciplines. I especially enjoy the Membership Luncheons. It is a good time to meet and get to know other real estate professionals in a casual and informative setting.”

If you are buying or selling a home Dunbar’s advice is to “Become knowledgeable about the real estate process. There are inherent financial risks on both sides of the transaction. Contacting a REALTOR®, an appraiser, and home inspector can help avoid most problems. For an appraiser please check out my website. Through this website, http://www.community-appraisers.com you can perform a number of tasks. Ordering an appraisal is just a click away. Or, spend some time and find out a bit more about the appraisal business. The more you know, the better decision you can make. I strongly recommend that a buyer visit with a loan officer early in the process in order to have a better understanding of their purchasing power. This will help speed the process to a successful conclusion.”