Walker & Dunlop, Geophy Expand Multifamily Appraisal Business

BETHESDA, MD – Walker & Dunlop Inc. and Geophy have expanded their joint-venture multifamily appraisal business, Apprise with the addition of two new hires.

Joining the company as senior director and affordable practice lead, Doug Koch will lead the company’s affordable housing valuation activities throughout the US, while based in Needham, MA.

Affordable housing specialist, Kelly Beigle joins the company as senior director, focusing on the Eastern region while based in Bethesda, MD.

The two professionals will support Apprise’s business of delivering USPAP/FIRREA multifamily appraisals.

Throughout his career, Koch has completed many multifamily property valuations, market studies and investment due diligence assignments throughout 200 markets in the US. Previously, Koch served as manager and principal at Advisory Affiliates LLC; arranging tax credit and private equity financing for affordable and workforce housing development ventures, assisting with organizational formation and coordinating underwriting activities.

With more than ten years of industry experience spanning all property types and asset classes throughout the US, Beigle has primarily focused on affordable housing and conventional multifamily properties. Previously serving as a director in Cushman & Wakefield’s valuation & advisory group, Beigle lead the company’s affordable housing specialty practice within the Washington DC and Baltimore regions. Within her prior role, she provided valuation and consulting services to clients involved in financing, managing and developing LIHTC, project-based section 8 and HUD/FHA properties.

“Doug and Kelly’s wide-ranging backgrounds in affordable and workforce housing valuation and consulting assignments throughout the nation and Eastern region will create a solid foundation for Apprise’s dedicated affordable housing practice,” said Meghan Czechowski, Apprise managing director and valuation lead. “Combining Doug’s affordable expertise and leadership, built over a 35-year career, with unparalleled access to data and our proprietary web-based report writing application will expand our core business beyond conventional multifamily, which furthers our mission of bringing the modern appraisal concept to all multifamily assets.”

Currently offering services in more than 40 states, Apprise employs its data analytics and valuation software for appraisers to utilize valuation methods in appraisals. The company currently employs more than 20 professionals throughout the country, with a team that has completed more than $70 billion in total commercial real estate property appraisals; encompassing more than 470,000 units per year.

“I look forward to adding to Apprise’s multifamily nationwide valuation capabilities and to expand the firm’s expertise in affordable housing across all its platforms,” stated Koch.

“I am thrilled to bolster my expertise in affordable housing and commitment to client service with the cutting-edge valuation technology offered by Apprise,” said Beigle. “The new platform will be immediately accretive to my existing client base, allowing me to provide faster, more consistent, and data-driven results.”