Prior to alloying, purification, or casting, metals are generally melted in a crucible. A crucible is an excellent metaphor for the agricultural real estate market on the Central Coast.

Take an ideal climate, attractive scenery, and a low-key lifestyle, blend them together and you have a desirable place to live. Put it close to the beach and it is even more attractive. Add agriculture to the mix as the dominant land use. Throw in conflicting visions of the way things ought to be, and you have the Central Coast.

This melting pot is a desirable place to live, replete with local governments intent on attracting industry, but often unwilling to plan for residential growth. It is comprised of citizens who want an expanding economy, without expanding the city limits; developers and investors looking for their payday; farmers struggling to keep the family farm; and other farmers hoping to sell land for development . Here we have environmentalists trying to preserve natural habitat; legal and political machinations over water supplies, political concerns over regional balance of power, and you have the environment in which the Central Coast real estate market operates. The demand is high, the supply is………well, what is it?

The stakes are high, and the game can change dramatically overnight. The market is a high temperature mixture of components that are sometimes incompatible, but nevertheless, forced to combine in the geographic locality of the Central Coast, also known as “the crucible”.

What does it take to appraise in such a market? While an element of bravery is useful, the most important assets are experience, a good sense of proportion, and diligence.

Because of the unique mix of market influences on the Central Coast, appraisers from other areas may miss important value influences. In the early nineties it was not unusual for out of town appraisers to underbid local appraisers. When they arrived here to do the job, they found information difficult to come by. Today, it is even more difficult with such unique influences as vernal pools, antiquated subdivision maps, statutory limitations on growth, commercial construction, and so on. The Central Coast is beset with pitfalls for appraisers not familiar with local issues and conditions.

Since much of the ag real estate on the Central Coast has multiple uses, or is in transition from one use to another, a sense of the competing markets and their influences on a property is invaluable. For instance not all “grazing land” is the same. There may be vineyard influences, estate residential influences, or potential for subdivision. Without the ability to evaluate competing influences and cut to the important impacts on value, an appraiser runs the risk of running in endless circles trying to make sense of conflicting data; or worse, over-rating some influences and minimizing the most important influences.

Rincon’s Appraisal Division is dedicated to providing top quality and timely service. We have the experience, the sense of proportion, and the diligence to provide the best service possible.

If your properties include agricultural, development, commercial, residential, or industrial, we are experienced in the appropriate markets.

If your needs are for estate planning, division of family assets, tax planning, litigation, or financing, we are dedicated to providing timely and reliable appraisals to meet your needs. For more information contact Ed Hawkes at Rincon.

Information provided herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed