I'm Shannon Julian, and I'm the owner and only employee of Julian Appraisals & Consulting. That hasn't always been the case, as I experimented for about five years with using assistants and subcontracting appraisers.  This gave me a chance to work with some of the best local professionals.  Even so I found it hard to sub out parts of the appraisal and report.  With my personal involvement, you can be completely sure that when I research market data and assemble reports, the end product meets my own high standards.  I can defend my opinion without reserve because I've personally completed all the steps in the valuation processes. 

Better technology helps me accomplish more, and I limit my service area.  Within my local area, I can stay current with all market changes.  My "library" of local market information is extensive.   Part of the collection consists of Orange County property transfers beginning in 1992.  My goal is to know all local influences on value and market changes. The fact that I am a long term resident of the area and my past experience in local government are also assets in achieving a better understanding of the local market.

Typically, when I arrive at a home, I first go through the interior twice.  The first time I focus on features, finishes, and condition.  I open every door, go in every room, and look in the attic.  I don't grade on or off for neatness, I'm looking at the home as though it's vacant.  The second time through I do a floor plan.  I'll measure from the inside for open areas and offsets like dormer windows.  I use a laser measurer, the Disto D5 from Leica, when needed on the inside. My next step is to measure and inspect the exterior.  I use a steel tape measure in a 100' reel, and dimensions are taken to the nearest 100th of a foot.  My measuring tape of choice is made by Keson.  Another Keson product I added is a 25' retractable metal tape, also in engineer's scale (10th's of a foot). The accuracy from the new laser based devices is very high, and it's easy to use. I lay out the sketch using Apex software .The sketch has to close to calculate square footage, so I can grade my accuracy.  I'll remeasure if I'm off more that three inches horizontally or vertically.  Accuracy is my goal in every step of the process of estimating value. 

I'm a native of Chapel Hill, N.C., and my family has been in business in Chapel Hill since the mid 1930's. My Dad at 91 years old, and he remains healthy.  I've put together some history of both my parents on this site, My Dad is 92! I worked with my father at Milton's Clothing Cupboard for 15 years starting in the early 1970's. During that time I learned about customer service and the importance of product knowledge. I also served as chairman of Carrboro's Board of Adjustment for five years. We decided zoning issues for some of the smaller projects requiring town approval.

My Real Estate career started in 1987 as a salesman, and in 1991 I made the change to appraising real estate. Here I get to use most of my prior business experience, along with what I learned from being a volunteer in my hometown. These diverse experiences give me a fuller understanding of the interaction of planning and zoning issues with market values and development. I also learned much about how local governments work. I'm a member of the Chapel Hill Board of Realtors, and obtained my Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) in 1989. When I appraise, I'm able to bring into each report superior research and a deeper understanding of the local markets.

My business plan has been to produce high quality products.  I believe that detailed and thorough analyses and reports help create the best kind of feedback, a referral.  I strive to answer my clients' questions in advance, and to present the most thorough research and analysis.  I want you to understand the market forces and direction, and my reports address those needs with market trend graphs and market analysis.