Veteran Resources

"After completing my military service, I returned to civilian life with a refined set of skills, discipline, and perspective. I re-engaged in the real estate industry by pursuing valuation education through the Appraisal Institute, which provided the technical foundation to complement that experience. The transition proved to be a natural fit. The principles of analysis, accountability, and measured judgment that guided each mission during my service are directly aligned with the demands of each valuation assignment.

While I could have entered this profession immediately after college, I recognize the value of the path I took. My military service instilled a level of structure, integrity, and prudence that continues to inform my work today. That experience has strengthened my commitment to the profession and has been instrumental in my pursuit of designation."

Enrique T. Casado, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
Appraisal Institute, Region X Vice Chair

"After realizing there was a way to bring my two worlds together—supporting veterans and military spouses—I found my path into the appraisal profession. Military spouses often have to give up or pause their careers due to frequent relocations, and I wanted to be part of a solution that offered stability and flexibility.

Appraisal provides a unique opportunity for a work-from-home career, which is especially valuable for military families. In the Air Force, attention to detail is emphasized as a critical skill, and that same precision carries over into appraising—whether it’s analyzing amenities or accurately measuring square footage.

Today, I’ve built a team of 10 individuals and am proud to offer career opportunities that align with the needs and strengths of the military community."

Anthony Legotti, MAI 
CEO, Maven Appraisals, Inc.

"The Appraisal Institute is committed to supporting Veterans by offering meaningful pathways into the appraisal profession as a second career. As Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, I have seen firsthand how closely the skills developed through military service; discipline, analytical thinking, accountability, and decision-making, align with what it takes to succeed as an appraiser.

Our Committee has been actively focused on expanding Veteran outreach and increasing awareness of the profession, while also exploring ways to provide mentorship and financial support as part of our 2026 goals. Helping Veterans transition into stable, rewarding civilian careers is not only good for the profession, it is a small but meaningful way to recognize the sacrifices they have made in service to our country."

"I was drawn to service in the US Army at the age of 17 by a commitment to something larger than myself. My time in service helped me develop foundational skills and character that became part of my identity: discipline, accountability, attention to detail, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. For most veterans, exiting the military happens very abruptly with little opportunity for a soft landing in civilian life.

The appraisal profession offered me a meaningful way to leverage those core strengths in a civilian career. What initially attracted me was the opportunity to work independently, continuously learn, and develop specialized expertise in a field that demands rigor and integrity. What ultimately kept me in the profession, now nearly 25 years, was the realization that my work contributes directly to the integrity of one of the nation's most important financial systems. That responsibility has given me the same sense of purpose and service that first drew me to military life. For veterans considering this career, I would emphasize that the appraisal profession offers more than technical expertise and advancement. It offers the chance to apply military values in a profession where those values genuinely matter."

Jeremy Staudenmaier
SVP|Chief Residential Appraiser and Operations Manager
Flagstar Bank