Margaret Coleman: 20 years in the business

Margaret Coleman didn't always plan to be an appraiser, but she’s never looked back as she reaches 20 years of service in the appraisal profession.

Before getting into the appraisal business, Coleman worked as a paralegal.

"I did five years of abstracting, and I had 10 years of working for attorneys before I ever got into appraisals," Coleman said. "I had a lot of real estate background including having worked for the assessor in Jefferson County. I worked a lot with real estate. I thought it would be an extension of the real estate experience I had previously acquired.“

After having her first child, Coleman decided to leave the legal side of things and dip her foot into the appraisal world after her sister approached her about working for her given her real estate background. It was a smooth transition.

Her sister originally owned the business, formerly under the name Benge Appraisals. Coleman joined in Oct. 8, 2001.

Coleman would later take over the business from her sister Jan. 1, 2008. She and another staff appraiser bought the company.

On June 30, 2016, Benge Appraisals was dissolved. Coleman became the sole proprietor of her own business changing the name to Crossroads Appraisal Services.

She finds it strange that she's been in the business for over 20 years.

"It's pretty crazy," she said. "I think the thing that I like most about it, other than it's a very demanding job, is the multitude of homes and interesting people I’ve met throughout the years. As any business owner will admit, you never really quit working.“

Owning her own business has been a blessing, especially when her children were younger and her parents were aging. Being allowed the availability to schedule around their needs and activities was important for her.

For Coleman, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job, is knowing that she can provide a credible appraisal service for her clients.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com