Welcome to Headwaters Appraisal services! We are glad you stopped in for a visit.

Headwaters Appraisal was formed over a decade ago by Brian Reynolds whose goal was to create a company that excelled in attentive customer service and credible real estate valuations.

We must be doing something right because we’ve grown from a modest appraisal business to a valuation company which studies and provides real estate valuation information on multiple types of rural properties serving everyone from individuals to the U.S. Government. We specialize in producing quality appraisal reports that are compliant with the specific requirements of various governmental entities. Of particular interest to us is the process of appraising conservation easements. Our work takes us to all western states and as far east as Nebraska and as far south as Mississippi.

At Headwaters, we have the experience, up-to-date knowledge, and professional credentials to approach any complex appraisal problem with a high level of integrity and expertise.

Pick up the phone and give us a call 208-859-0388. We would love to discuss with you your appraisal questions.

Headwaters Appraisal is based in Boise, Idaho.

Projects

Since 2005, Headwaters Appraisal has been involved with scores of projects totaling more than 30,000 acres which have either been conserved, donated, or acquired for public benefit! Click on the gallery below to see more details about just a few of our projects.

2015 Summers Conservation Easement: 292 AC

2016 Old Coleman Ranch Conservation Easement: 128 acres

2015 Harmony Farm, Nebraska. Conservation Easement: 500 acres

2015 Platte River Ranch, Nebraska Conservation Easement: 347 acres

2016 Swift River Farms Acquisition: 10 acres

2015 Goldburg Conservation Easement: 1,922 acres (2)

2015 Boise Front Land Donation: 40 acres

2015 Ellis Ranch Conservation Easement: 487 acres

2014 Grayback Gulch Forest Service Acquisition: 67 acres

2014 Geertson Creek Conservation Easement: 195 acres

2014 Eagle Valley-Pine Creek Conservation Easement: 692 acres

2014 Silver Creek Public Access Easement: 4 miles

2014 Silver Creek Land Exchange: 31 acres

2014 Big Creek Conservation Easement: 748 acres

2013 Pristine Springs Trout Farm Water Rights Acquisition

2013 Big Sky CAFO Entitlements on 1,210 acres

2012 Trout Creek Ranch Conservation Easement: 135 acres

2012 O'Neal Ranch Conservation Easement: 352 acres

2012 Hoffman Ranch Conservation Easement: 478 acres

2012 Hillside Ranch WRP Easement: 693 AC

2012 Bell Rapids Easement Acquisition: 9.78 acres

2011 West Fork I & II Conservation Easements: 4,533 acres

2011 Rim View Trout Farm Water Rights Acquisition

2011 Hagerman Wings Conservation Easement: 279 acres

2011 Flat Top Ranch Conservation Easement: 3,040 acres

2011 Clear Lakes Trout Farm Water Rights Acquisition

2011 Blue Trout Farm Water Rights Acquisition

2011 Bar B Ranch Conservation Easement: 761 acres

2010 Cole Ranch Conservation Easement: 301 acres

2010 Bogus Basin Land Donation: 160 acres

2008 Upper Baugh Creek Donation: 162 acres

2008 Snake River Land Exchange: 1.49 acres

2007 Parish Farm Conservation Easement: 160 acres

2007 Old Curran Ranch Conservation Easement: 375 acres

2007 Fawn Creek Subdivision Conservation Easement: 40+ AC

2007 Baugh Creek Conservation Easement: 2,960 acres

2006 Sulphur Creek East Conservation Easement: 1,416 acres (1)

Contact Brian, 208-859-0388

Brian Reynolds

Owner

Meet Brian, the heart of Headwaters Appraisal. Brian directs all the appraisal functions of the company from the Headwaters office in Boise, Idaho. Brian has over a decade of appraisal experience in numerous property types. He particularly enjoys the challenges associated with valuing conservation easements and other partial interests such as water rights. Brian is a fourth generation Idahoan. Always the outdoorsman, Brian spent his youth guiding in Idaho’s central mountains. Between guiding raft trips on the famed Middle Fork Salmon River, and elk hunters in the White Cloud Mountains, Brian developed a love for the land which remains today. Taking college courses whenever he could, Brian attended the University of Idaho, University of Montana, and the University of Washington, eventually receiving a degree in Geology. The skills developed while studying geology now help Brian make detailed observations of the land and help bring to life the story of the property he is valuing. This is an exceptional skill when inspecting and valuing complex agricultural properties. Post-graduate work from Boise State University earned Brian a teaching certificate in Earth Science. Brian taught school before beginning his career in appraising, and he continues to emphasize education for himself, his clients, and the public through teaching continuing education courses, and public workshops. Brian has provided market value appraisals for various individual, corporate, and governmental entities. In particular, Brian has extensive specialized training and experience related to conservation easement valuations. In late 2006, the IRS issued interim rules relative to the appraisal of conservation easements regarding appraiser qualifications and specialized training. By being one of the first appraisers in Idaho to receive the required certification to value conservation easements, Brian continues to be on the leading edge of knowledge in this area. He continues to contribute to the greater understanding of his peers and other interested parties by leading classes and giving educational talks related to conservation easements.

Jennifer Lawrence

Support Staff Extraordinaire

Meet Jennifer, the not so hidden gem of Headwaters Appraisal. Jennifer provides all the appraisal support to the company from the Headwaters office in Boise, Idaho. Jennifer has worked over a decade in the appraisal industry. Jennifer and Brian have developed a synergy that has allowed Headwaters to become such a successful, organized, and innovative company. Jennifer is here to help when ever needed and looks forward to meeting the needs of all our clients as we continue to grow.

The Appraisal Process

The Hows & Whys

The process of appraising is sometimes called one of science and of art: the science is the facts an appraiser must gather about a piece of property; the art is the appraiser’s interpretation of those facts in deriving an opinion of value. Every appraisal is like a puzzle and it is our job, our responsibility, as appraisers to ensure that the values we assign to those properties are accurate and reflective of current market values. In the dynamic environment of the rural real estate market, more and more buyers and market participants are seeking detailed market data and information related to properties and value trends. Headwaters Appraisal acts in a consulting role to various clients, including land trusts interested in the way easements can affect property values, municipalities seeking to purchase water rights, and buyers completing due diligence issues, among others. The firm has the ability to analyze data relative to a specific area in order to give clients additional assurances relative to values and trends.

We offer commercial real estate appraisal services and specialize in conservation easement appraisals and partial interest property rights in the western part of the United States. A coverage area map is depicted here.

Our One Percent Back Program

Headwaters Appraisal is proud to announce its One Percent Back program to promote land conservation for the benefit of hunters, fishermen, and all who enjoy open spaces. Headwaters donates 1% of our profits to ensure that we give back to organizations which makes our work relevant. Visit the Land Trust Alliance’s web site and learn more about the importance of conservation. www.landtrustalliance.org

Headwaters Appraisal is proud to be a member of Impact Club! WHAT IS IMPACT CLUB? Impact Club Boise is made up of people like you, who care about their local community, who meet four times a year for one hour, (typically at a brewery, winery, or some fun venue in town). We all bring a check for $100. We gather, get a drink, and then we hear from three non-profit organizations doing work in our community. These three charities get five minutes and a microphone (that’s it) to tell us their story. Then we all vote for the best story of the three. The organization with the most votes wins the pot. That’s when we hand over our $100 checks. This allows us to take our small donations and make a HUGE IMPACT in one night. It’s kind of like crowdfunding for good local causes, but we make it extra cool and fun and since every member donates the same amount, we are all equally responsible for the impact we make.