October 2004 Client of the Month

Tammy Schell
Reliant Residential Appraisals, Inc
Waterloo, IA

For many people, a home is not just a place to "hang your hat". It is a place of family and friends, comfort, relaxation, and fun. And it maintains a certain value to its owners and its surrounding community. Tammy Schell has dedicated her career to assisting Cedar Valley home-owners in determining the worth of their residential property.

Tammy is a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser with experience in single-family residences, condominiums, acreages, relocation appraisals, and multi-family units. Prior to establishing her own business, Tammy worked for another appraisal firm in the area for nearly twelve years. After deciding that she wanted to start her own business venture, it took her only two weeks to get the business up and running. Her current clients mainly consist of mortgage lenders, although she often receives requests for appraisals from attorneys and private individuals. Furthermore, her services are usually requested when people look to buy, sell or refinance their home; however, additional appraisal requests are for estate planning, liquidation, divorce, pre-sale decisions, PMI removal and property tax challenges.

Tammy asked for the Regional Business Center's assistance as soon as she made the commitment start her own business. She decided to locate Reliant Residential Appraisals at the RBC as part of the Business Accelerator Program, which helps to foster business growth in new entrepreneurial ventures. Originally, Tammy had planned to start the business out of her home in order to avoid the costs of renting office space; however, with the affordable rent at the RBC and access to technology and counseling services, she knew a home-based business "wouldn't be the most productive environment" for her.

Tammy has discovered, like most entrepreneurs quickly do, that there are many challenges to overcome when creating a viable business. She believes her greatest challenge to overcome is "finding the time to get everything done", adding that she has become "a steadfast list maker". Although Tammy recognizes that challenges may always be present, she also recognizes that benefits and rewards will always accompany those challenges. Since founding Reliant Residential Appraisals, she has most enjoyed "receiving support from so many people and being the decision maker." Tammy believes Reliant Residential Appraisals will be a successful business venture because she is "dedicated to professionalism, has over a decade of appraisal experience, and is committed to keeping [herself] up-to-date on changes within the industry".

When asked what advice she could offer to potential entrepreneurs, Tammy responded, "It is important to become totally committed to your idea or plan, believe in yourself, go the extra mile for your customers or clients to provide the best service possible, and surround yourself with positive, knowledgeable people".

To learn more about Tammy Schell or Reliant Residential Appraisals, visit www.atreliant.com or call 319-234-4111 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tammy Schell
Reliant Residential Appraisals, Inc.
212 E. 4th Street, Suite 125
Waterloo, IA 50703

Phone: 319-234-4111
Fax: 319-234-1906

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