April 8, 2025- Appraisal Nation, a Cary, NC-based appraisal management company (AMC) specializing in private lending, has been acquired by Class Valuation, the nation’s largest AMC. Details of the deal have not been made public.
Appraisal Nation has been a dominant force in the private money lending appraisal space, serving the unique needs of hard money lenders. The requirements often differ from those of traditional banks and lenders. Their deep understanding of this niche market has made them a trusted name in the industry.
Market Growth Drives Strategic Expansion
Given the +214% surge in private lending nationwide since 2020, growing from 1 trillion to 3.14 trillion (JP Morgan via ACI), Class Valuation’s move to expand into the private lending sector is a strategic one. The demand is undeniable. And meeting that demand with streamlined appraisal ordering solutions is a win for lenders across the board.
With this merger, Class Valuation can offer even more detailed support to private and hard money lenders while continuing to serve their core clients in traditional banking and brokerages. In our view, this is a win-win for the industry, leaders, and the future of appraisal services.
What Lenders Can Expect
With Class Valuation adopting Appraisal Nation’s operations, private lenders can anticipate several key benefits:
- Vetted, dependable appraiser relationships
- Larger network = faster service
- Less legwork on individual private money lending transactions
TAG’s Perspecive:
Like our partners at Class, we understand the rise in private money lending and the unique needs it brings. In North Carolina, we’re seeing increased activity in places like Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, and Gastonia.
As the Triangle and Charlotte expand, these nearby towns offer low entry costs now and high ROI potential later, making them prime spots for growth.
Why Local Appraisers Still Matter
National AMC’s like Class Valuation and Appraisal Nation rely on local appraisers to deliver accurate, timely, and market-specific reports. We’ve partnered with Class and Appraisal Nation before and look forward to continued collaboration as they grow their footprint in private lending.
With National AMC’s scaling up, local knowledge remains key to making informed, high-return investment decisions. Here’s what TAG brings to the table:
- Local market knowledge expertise across 40+ NC/SC counties
- Hands -on, personalized service
- Quick turnaround times: 3-5 days, rush orders available
- DSCR loan appraisals: tailored to today's private lending needs
- Short/long-term rental appraisals: backed by real rental comps
- As-is/ARV appraisals: know your ROI upfront (includes a free rental analysis)
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