Board Member Profile: Brian Tinjum, MAI

In each newsletter, we will feature a North Star Board Member.  This quarter we’re talking with the 2017 North Star Chapter President, Brian Tinjum, MAI, of Tinjum Appraisal Company, Inc. in Detroit Lakes, MN.

North Star (NS): How did you get into the appraisal industry?
Brian Tinjum (BT): I was looking for employment after I graduated from college and decided to go to work for my father at his appraisal office.  Thirteen months later I went to work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation as an appraiser in the Right of Way section.

NS: How has the Tinjum Appraisal Company evolved over the years?
BT: Tinjum Appraisal Company, Inc. was founded in 1973 by Rodger K. Tinjum after 11 years with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Our office is located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.  Several individuals have been trained as appraisers over the years.  At one point the company consisted of two Certified Residential Appraisers and two Certified General Appraisers, who were all family.  Currently, the company consists of two Certified General Appraisers, an appraiser trainee and support staff.  We currently have an Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designated appraiser and an MAI designated appraiser.

NS: In what areas of service does your company specialize?
BT: We have extensive experience in commercial, industrial, agricultural, residential, rural residential and special use properties such as resorts, restaurants, convenience stores and related operations.

Our background and experience includes lakeshore properties, improved and unimproved, as well as large frontage tracts as a whole and for development purposes.

Our primary work area is northern, northwestern and west central Minnesota, as well as eastern North Dakota, although we have completed appraisals in Michigan, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Nebraska and western North Dakota.

Our clients include individuals, multiple banks and financial organizations as well as federal, state, county, city, township, conservation groups, Indian reservations, watersheds and private organizations.

The purpose of the appraisals include mortgage, selling, buying, division, partial acquisition, settlement of estates, marriage dissolution, gifting, partial interest, taxation and appearance in court.  An area of specialty is right of way appraisals.  We have also completed a considerable number of appraisals for potential court testimony for varied reasons.

NS: What do you think are the most important factors to being successful in the appraisal industry?
BT: Integrity and having a good quality education.

NS: What is the best advice you have ever received?
BT: As it relates to being an appraiser, get the MAI Designation.  My designation has expanded the assignment opportunities available to me.

NS: What tips do you have for new appraisers?
BT: Get the best quality education available.  Do not compromise your integrity and ethics.  You will succeed if you do not quit!

NS: And what about for experienced appraisers?
BT: Stay current by taking quality education.

NS: What is your most memorable moment on the job?
BT: Receiving the MAI Designation!

NS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about AI or the appraisal industry?
BT: Be involved with your local AI Chapter.  Attend meetings; take education offered by the Chapter and volunteer with the Chapter.  The Chapter needs your involvement to be great.