New-York tribune., 1908-12-23
REALTY EXPERT WORK
METHODS OF BROKERS.
Charles Griffith Noses Says Ap-
,rnisers Must "ProUe Values.

The work of those persons who quallty as eN-
perts in actions relating to the value OF real es-
tate is by no easy one, according 10
Charles Griffith Moses well known real estate
broker and appraiser who spoke last night on
Expert Testimony before the West Side 1onhg
Mems Christian Association The speaker mas
been identified with the real estate market oh
Manhattan Island and The Bronx for many years.
and in that time he has given expert tesuihohS
In many big realty cases.
He said that the late Thomas c. Smith, who was
one of the leading realty brokers and appraisers
of the city many years. visited his once soon
after the fact became known that he intended 10
be identified with the body of real estate men
who qualify as experts. The object Of Mr.. Smith 3
visit was to give him some valuable pointers
on how to make easier the work which he hao
taken up and in which he had Determined 10 %
successful
Mr. Smith called attention the fact that Whlle
the pay for such services was larger than coud
be earned in many other business or professlonai
fields nevertheless the work often placed heaNleI
burdens on the mind and body He also cailed
attention to the large number of persons who had
become nervous wrecks through following thit
calling and also to scores of other persons VINO,
through lacking ability or from other causes hao
had short and sorrowfuI careers as experts
In preparing your cases. said MI. smith, 40
SO with the utmost care; be and work out
your theories that they will hold together ana
then reduce them to writing. Also, be sure to put
all your figures as to valuations. etc, in writing
and after making a thorough study OF your pa
pers forget all about the until the day when
you to appear before the commissioners III
condemnation proceedings. Just before you are
called to qualify an expert refresh your nina
to what you intend to say by examining your
apers again While on the stand keep your pa
pers before you. that you may constantly re-
fer to them, and when you have testihed DISMISS
the matter from your mind. In this way you Will
not overburden yourself with constant worrying
about your cases. and you will approach each new
case with clear mind"
a VALUABLE REALTY ASSET.
The speaker said that he had found this course
10 his valuable assets an eX-
pert. He referred briefly to the work of commits
sioners in condemnation and to their awards. He
said that much of the criticism about such wcrk
unjust Continuing, he said
The highest work in the real estate field, in my
estimation, is that performed by appraisers who
qualify experts. and their work firmly be
lieve, raises the real estate field to the rank of
a profession It is a difficult matter to lay down
any set rules to how should prepare him
self 10 qualify expert. These who desire 70
become experts should bear in mind that such ex-
perts must be able to prove values, and 10 do
so rpeans that a person must have a thorough
knowledge of such transactions. such as sales
which have taken place in certain district, and
also everything relating to the important changes
which have brought about great transformation in
the physical character Of a district
The owner of every piece of property condemned
has right to have his interest fully protected in
court. and in many cases where large tracts of land
in which scores of persons are interested are af-
fected by the condemna tion proceedings. it is no
wonder many such proceedings cover a long period
of time If an expert recall, as II were, auto
rnaticay, changes. leases and the inside history OF
various transactions affecting certain district 1t
carries more weight with the commissioners than
a man who is faltering in his answers relating 10
the valuation of properties, and whose pet phrase
is. ! don't know
The man who makes a speciality Of district
is likely TO make the best expert providing all
things are equal In striving TO be a successful ex-
pert il is necessary keep clear of gttering gen
eraIities The testimony given should be limited
the in question, as generalities will un-
oubtedly react against the expert in futurefcases
as testimony OF such experts is kept by the
Corpora ton CounseTs office, and its substance IS
well known many of the assistants IN that Of
fee who appear in condemnation proceedings.
There is nothing dangerous in affecting real
estate progress of-hand appraising-' 1t is a
peculiar coincidence of the real estate field that
intending buyers frequently seek the advice as to
the value Of property of persons whose knowledge
of realty affairs was obtained from some relative
who owned property.
Young real estate men have a weakness for
making appraisas from records. and such opinions
are worthless l have even heard of we'll known
real men who made poor appraisals because
their Of determining values was fashioned
somewhat after the method Of beginner in real