Storm Lake Appraiser Dennis Reyman Wins National Appraiser of the Year

Dennis Reyman received national recognition on December 12 when he was named National Appraiser of the Year for his leadership and achievement in agricultural appraisal and estate and farm valuation work. The announcement was posted on the Storm Lake Radio headlines, noting Reyman’s deep ties to Storm Lake and northwest Iowa. The honor places a local professional at the forefront of a field that underpins farm finance, estate planning, and local property markets.

Appraisal work matters to Buena Vista County because it influences the prices used in farm sales, the valuations that inform estate settlements, and the collateral assessments that banks use in lending decisions. Accurate, well documented appraisals reduce dispute risk in estate transfers and can streamline farm succession. Reyman’s recognition signals that expertise of this caliber is available locally, which can help families navigating generational transfers as well as attorneys and lenders who handle farm estates and operating loans.

The award also carries market implications. Appraisers who are recognized nationally often set methodological standards and can increase buyer and lender confidence in transaction valuations. In a region where land is a primary asset for many households and businesses, that confidence affects liquidity and the efficiency of land markets. For local banks and credit unions, improved appraisal quality can reduce underwriting uncertainty and support smoother credit decisions for farm acquisitions and working capital needs.

From a policy perspective, the selection highlights the central role of appraisal professionals in implementing agricultural programs and tax assessments. As county assessors, tax attorneys, and state officials confront questions about valuation methods and fairness in property taxation, access to nationally recognized expertise enhances the local capacity to address these issues. For estate planning, precise valuations are essential to equitable divisions and to managing potential tax liabilities.

For Buena Vista County residents the immediate impact is practical and reputational. Farmers and landowners have an additional resource in their community when arranging sales, loans, or succession plans. The national honor also spotlights Storm Lake’s agricultural service sector, potentially attracting related professional work to the area. As the region continues to manage farm transitions and market pressures, local access to high caliber appraisal work will remain a key element of economic stability.