As we close out 2025, we have taken time to reflect on where this year began, how far we have come, and what we are building toward next. This 2025 recap is not just about milestones. It is about the relationships, responsibility, and trust that continue to shape LaPlante Appraisals. Serving attorneys, realtors, and homeowners across Arizona has always meant more to us than delivering reports. It is about helping people Decide with Confidence, especially during moments that carry financial, legal, and emotional weight.
Where We Were: A Strong Foundation with a Clear Purpose
At the start of the year, LaPlante Appraisals was grounded in a clear mission to provide credible, well-supported appraisal services that professionals and homeowners can rely on. As the Scottsdale and Phoenix Real Estate Market continued to shift, uncertainty became more common, and so did the need for thoughtful, defensible valuations. We found ourselves supporting clients during pivotal moments such as estate settlements, legal matters, pre-listing decisions, and negotiations where clarity truly mattered. These situations reinforced why accuracy, communication, and integrity remain at the core of everything we do.
How Far We’ve Come: Growth Rooted in Service
One of the most meaningful developments in 2025 was beginning Veterans Administration appraisal work. Being able to serve veterans and their families was both a professional milestone and a personal point of pride. We also expanded our geographic reach into Apache and Navajo Counties in Northeast Arizona. This ensured homeowners and professionals in those communities had access to reliable appraisal services, often in areas where options are limited. Growth this year was not about moving fast. It was about expanding thoughtfully, with purpose, and without compromising the quality our clients expect.
Stronger Partnerships with Attorneys and Realtors
Our relationships with attorneys and realtors deepened significantly in 2025. These partnerships allow us to step in as a trusted third party when decisions require more than opinions. They require defensible data and experience.
Our work focused heavily on supporting:
- Pre Listing Appraisals that help realtors price homes strategically
- Date of Death Appraisals for estate planning and settlement needs
- Step Up Basis valuations tied to inheritance and tax considerations
- Tax Reporting Appraisals used for legal and compliance purposes
- Valuations for negotiations and partner dissolutions
In many cases, we are brought in during moments that require both precision and care. That responsibility is not something we take lightly.
Education as a Way to Serve Better
Education became a major focus in 2025. We spent time speaking in realtor brokerage offices, answering common questions, and walking through the appraisal process from start to finish. These conversations helped professionals better understand not only how appraisals work, but why they matter. We also discussed a new appraisal form scheduled to roll out in spring 2026 for the lending industry. This helps partners prepare for upcoming changes.
The more informed our partners are, the better supported their clients become.
Growing Our Team with Intention
Behind every appraisal is a team committed to detail, consistency, and service. This year, we grew by adding support staff, strengthening our internal processes and allowing us to better serve our clients without sacrificing quality. By the end of the year, it became clear that the next step for LaPlante Appraisals is to bring on another appraiser in 2026. This is not simply about volume. It is about sustainability and alignment. We are focused on finding the right person who fits our culture, vision, and mission.
Building Relationships, Not Just Reports
As we look ahead, one thing is clear. Relationships remain at the heart of what we do. In 2026, our goals include:
- Getting in front of more realtor and attorney partners
- Continuing to educate professionals and the public
- Strengthening long-term professional relationships
- Helping clients better understand what appraisals do and why they matter
We want to be a resource people trust, not just when they need an appraisal, but when they need guidance.
What’s Ahead in 2026
The coming year brings exciting changes. We plan to launch new services that extend beyond the traditional appraisal. These services are designed to support professionals and homeowners with even greater clarity and confidence. At the end of January, we are launching a secure online resource hub for realtors and attorneys. This hub will allow partners to log in and access educational materials, handouts, and FAQs they can share directly with clients or use for in-office support.
With the right hire in place, we also hope to expand into an additional market. This will allow us to bring the LaPlante Appraisals approach to more communities across Arizona.
Looking Forward with Gratitude
As this 2025 recap comes to a close, we want to express sincere appreciation to the attorneys, realtors, homeowners, and community members who trusted LaPlante Appraisals this year. Every valuation represents a decision that matters. As we move into 2026, our commitment remains the same. We will continue to provide clarity, credibility, and service so you can always Decide with Confidence.
