THE COMPANY

Brentwood Property Appraisal (BPA) was founded in 1994 by Mike Friedman and his wife, Debbie Schneider. Mr. Friedman previously worked as a production appraiser for a residential appraisal firm in the San Fernando Valley. In the developing stage of his company, Mr. Friedman produced the appraisals and built the supporting systems. Ms. Schneider worked on administrative and accounting duties and marketed their company’s services to local mortgage companies. At that time, the real estate market in Southern California was experiencing the effects of the savings and loan crisis with a high rate of foreclosures and increased mortgage interest rates.  Despite the economic downturn, the company slowly grew with a gradual increase in appraisal volume. Mr. Friedman began recruiting appraisers who he had worked with in the past and who he knew were reliable. The company continued to grow by diligently servicing and expanding its mortgage broker client base. Brentwood Property Appraisal’s growth and solid reputation were quickly noticed by local and national banks and financial service firms, as these institutions demand unwavering quality, execution, and integrity. Today, BPA’s clientele is comprised almost entirely of banks and financial institutions. The company’s corporate headquarters are located at 12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA. Brentwood Property Appraisal is run by a six person full-time management and administrative staff who oversees a team of more than 20 production appraisers serving the Southern California appraisal needs of some of the country’s largest financial institutions. Brentwood Property Appraisal is committed to providing the highest level of quality, professionalism, integrity and service, and continues to grow at a time when most areas of the real estate lending services are contracting. BPA continues to pride itself on its niche in the real estate market as the “high-end” appraisal solution.

MIKE FRIEDMAN
President

Mike Friedman founded the company in 1994 with a vision of providing the highest level of quality, professionalism, integrity and service. His goal was to cater to those institutions in the mortgage lending industry who also valued those virtues. Mr. Friedman has worked tirelessly not only to expand and improve Brentwood Property Appraisal, but also to improve the appraisal profession as a whole, and continuously stay abreast of and educate his team on the ever changing industry. Mr. Friedman sits on the Industry Advisory Council of The Appraisal Foundation. The Appraisal Foundation was authorized by the United States Congress to set the standards and qualifications for licensed appraisers throughout the country. As a member of the Industry Advisory Council, Mr. Friedman provides input to the Appraisal Standards Board on the ongoing changes made to the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice (USPAP), which are the standards for all licensed appraisers to abide by when performing appraisals for mortgage loans. As a member of and a regular participant in meetings around the country with other members of the Council, including the Chief Appraisers from some of the largest financial institutions, Mr. Friedman is an expert in the most granular details of the appraisal standards and on the appraisal related issues facing the lending industry. For instance, Mr. Friedman sat on the Council’s task force on appraiser independence that focused primarily on the issue of the pressure that is placed on appraisers from the lending industry. Additionally, Mr. Friedman discusses appraisal issues regularly with the GSEs and both state and federal regulators, such as the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers, the Appraisal Subcommittee, and the collateral policy directors of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Mr. Friedman is regularly asked to speak at committee meetings of financial institutions and real estate offices regarding the appraisal business and the California real estate market. Additionally he is an approved provider of continuing education for both the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers and the California State Bar Associations.