Michael Grover - (Retired), AACI, P.App

In the practice of appraisal long before the introduction of computers (and cars, electric light and fire?), Michael Grover groped his way into valuation as a result of desperation on the part of a CMHC manager, who, faced with an empty desk and the resultant prospect of a budget cut, reached into space and - there he was.

This was in 1957.

It took until 1964 for CMHC to appreciate their error and encourage him to move on. Fleeing Winnipeg before the onslaught of yet another winter, he and his new family eagerly returned to the West coast. Relying upon a combination of displaying his meager understanding of the principles of valuation along with a measure of invention in his curriculum vitae, he landed a position with the daunting ‘Budge’ Bell-Irving.

Budge had single-handedly defeated the nazis in the Netherlands and was about to conquer the real estate market in BC. The fact that he never fully succeeded in this ambition was the direct result of his attempting to create the Bell Irving Appraisal Services, an acronym that catapulted Mike Grover into the world of ethics and standards with the Appraisal Institute of Canada.

From there it was a short hop into the mystique of expropriation. For 15 years, as a tribunal panel member, he wrestled with conflicting opinions of value ardently espoused by fellow members of the Institute, resulting in a set of formal decisions the merits of which are still being debated by the protagonists.

Along came 2003.

A life revolving around searching for comparables and depreciation of improvements is now replaced by one of scouring Expedia for travel deals and appreciation of grandchildren.

Fortunate indeed are those that enjoy the people around them, and who truly relish how they make a living.

It’s been fun!