Principal/History

Realty Valuation Services/RVS was initially started by Mark Fernald and Chris Pierce in 2010. Things in the real estate market had been challenging since the financial collapse in 2008 and the two decided to pool their resources and create a full service, well diversified, property appraisal company. Mark, an SRA, brought the corporate experience to the table. His experience with GF Hansen and later Fidelity/LPS was a good balance for the firm. Mark has over 30 years of experience in the property appraisal business. Chris, an MAI and SRA, had his own practice for 18 years and brought practical experience from running his firm. His prior experience in development gives him almost 30 years of experience in real estate.

In 2012, after growing for several years, the company opened up a new office, RVS South, in San Clemente. Mark is currently managing this office, while Chris is managing the office in Irvine, officially known as RVS Irvine. The company plans on opening offices in the Inland Empire and in LA County in the near future. Each office is independently owned and operated. Currently, the company has over 40 clients that it serves in the Southern California region.

Mark Fernald, SRA is the principal and owner of RVS South.

Résumé

Mark Fernald started his property appraisal career in 1982 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Finance/Real Estate from Cal State University Fullerton and acquiring his Real Estate Broker’s license in 1981. He gained his appraisal knowledge as a staff and review appraiser for First Mortgage Corp until 1987 at which time he joined TRW Real Estate Loan Services as a Chief Appraiser for the Western United States. In 1989 he earned the coveted Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) designation from the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, currently known as The Appraisal Institute.

In 1992, he joined G.F. Hansen Loan Quality Services as Chief Review Appraiser and helped to build the business into a nationwide leader in appraisal valuation and quality control. As a part of G.F. Hansen/LPS Applied Analytics, he held positions ranging from Chief Review Appraiser, SVP/Director, and positions in Product Development. Responsibilities included overseeing all areas of collateral risk analysis and valuation, quality control, operations, training and management. Additional responsibilities included Capital Market business development, all facets of the nationwide quality control work received from government sources, including HUD, FNMA, FHLMC, as well as participating in the expansion of this market for the company. He was instrumental in developing most of the review and valuation products used today including Desktop Valuation, PRO Value, Tie Out and Field Expert products. Mr. Fernald developed new products and markets for the company and coordinated new and existing products within the company.

In 2010, Mr. Fernald fulfilled his dream of starting his own Real Estate Appraisal business. Using his 30 years of expertise after being exposed to “everything in the appraisal world”, having held almost every position from staff appraiser to Nationwide Chief Appraiser and traversing the dysfunctional corporate world, he is now happily providing his valuation knowledge to assist his clients.

He specializes in high end, complex assignments in the Southern California area which best utilized his experience and knowledge. Mr. Fernald holds state residential certifications in California, Nevada and Colorado.