Phone NumberIllinois: 708.221.9874

Colorado: 720.295.8840

Emailappraisal@unitedvaluationappraisal.com

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About Us

United Valuation is the premier appraisal firm in the Chicagoland Area. United offers their clients a wide variety of appraisal services both locally and nationally.  Our knowledge, expertise, and high-quality appraisal services is unmatched in the industry. At United Valuation, we believe that our team should reflect the diversity of the vibrant and thriving communities that we serve. That’s why we are intentional about growing a workforce that understands, respects and values your client just as much as you do.

About the Principals

United Valuation was founded by Rick Hiton and TJ McCarthy, merging two of the oldest and largest appraisal firms in Illinois.

Rick Hiton

Rick Hiton, MS, ASA, IFAS, LEED GA, has been in the valuation industry for over 41 years and is an expert in urban economics and property valuation. 

Mr. Hiton holds the ASA and IFAS designations from the American Society of Appraisers and the MNAA designation with the National Association of Appraisers.  He holds a Master of Science Degree in Finance, Major-Real Estate & Urban Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2016, Mr. Hiton completed the Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has designated Mr. Hiton as a certified LEED Green Associate. He provides expertise in sustainability and environmental impact and is committed to the green building movement. He is also certified in Commercial/Residential Solar Valuation through the Appraisal Institute.

Mr. Hiton is the primary certified licensed appraiser in Illinois and Colorado for performing Solar, LEED, Energy Star, and valuation of Container Homes in those states.

Mr. Hiton is currently on the Advisory Board of Pearl Certification on their Valuation Team.

 

 

TJ McCarthy

TJ McCarthy, SRA, ASA, IFA, has been in the valuation industry for over 40 years and is a trusted industry analyst and consultant.

Mr. McCarthy has held various leadership positions in the appraisal industry, including President of the Chicago Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, President of the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (ICAP), and currently serves on the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals Board and the ASARPC Committee of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). 

Mr. McCarthy holds the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute and the ASA and IFA designations from the American Society of Appraisers.

He has been an appraisal analyst for Channel 7 ABC Eyewitness News and Channel 5 NBC News. He is also a nationally approved appraisal instructor with the Appraisal Institute and the American Society of Appraisers.

In 2002, he was appointed by the State of Illinois to the Illinois Real Estate Appraisal Licensing Board with the Department of Professional Regulations.  He served on the State Appraisal Board for 12 years and was the Board Chair from 2006 – 2008.   Mr. McCarthy also served on the Appraisal Foundations State Regulatory Advisory Board - SRAG in Washington D.C.

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About the Partners

Patrick Felvey

Matt Mattes, Chief Dynamics Officer

Matt Mattes is joining United Valuation’s appraisal operations team as Chief Dynamics Officer. After 15 years working with residential appraisal franchises and AMCs, Matt brings a client mindset to help grow United’s customer service and client relationships.  One of Matt’s key skills is to help appraisers improve efficiency by reducing idle time during their appraisal process. He’s successfully managed multiple markets with turn times under 5 business days consistently. He’s charged with selecting orders that best fit the United teams geographically, while considering any complexities or uniqueness. Matt also maintains a close relationship with Nations Valuation Services and visits with them in person weekly.  On-site visits provide the client opportunities to give kudos or identify any issues that need to make it to the appraisal teams.

Prior to joining Accurity, Matt worked in the Sports Turf industry with experience in golf courses as well as Major and Minor League Baseball franchises. One of his early mentors was legendary groundskeeper George Toma, who taught Matt about “And Then Some,” a philosophy on work ethic that he has carried all through his personal and professional life.

Matt literally grew up in the Appraisal industry with three of his closest family members being appraisers.  He spent long hours with the copy machine, at the one-hour photo, using double-sided tape for photos (x3) and scratching on arrows on maps in the back room of the family appraisal office.

Matt Mattes can be reached at United Valuation, where he will be working from Kansas City. You can contact him directly at 913-208-2207 and MMattes@UnitedValuationAppraisals.com