Originated in 1992, Prowest Appraisal is backed with over 35 years of Real Estate and Financial Industry experience. With a track record of appraising property for large Southern California Banks in their major loan departments, the team has worked on small individual properties to large commercial projects, including retail, industrial, commercial and income properties.
Rick Engstrom, ASA, SR/WA
OREA CA Lic. #: AG002839 
Eric “Rick” was born in
After his stint in the Air Force, Rick went back to college. During college, Rick worked in public and media relations with Riverside International Raceway. In his senior year of college, Rick started in a management training position with Hemet Federal Savings. After graduating from
Working for a combined twelve years with Home Savings of America and Great Western Bank, Rick gained a vast expertise in real estate valuations. Rick’s last position with Great Western was as Regional Manager within the Major Loan Division. Due to the economic uncertainties in the early 1990’s, the bank decided to close the Major Loan Division bank-wide. In 1992, Rick moved into the Independent Fee Appraisal field and has been a founding partner in Prowest Appraisal since that time. He has continued his education with post graduate classes in Real Estate and Appraisal, obtaining the Designations of Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers and the Senior Right-of-Way Agent (SR/WA) with the International Right of Way Association. Rick is also working on his Member Appraisal Institute (MAI) Designation with the Appraisal Institute, is a candidate with the Royal Institute of Charter Surveyors (MRICS), and is also a Licensed General Contractor in the State of
Rick has broadened his appraisal practice to work with the legal sector as an Expert Witness. He is a member of the Forensic Consultants Association, the Forensic Expert Witness Association, and an Associate Member of the San Diego Bar Association. He has testified in
Rick has been married for thirty one years to Barbara. They have three children, two that are married, and their youngest a student at Point Loma Nazarene
OREA CA Lic. #: AG003591
Born and raised in Conneaut, Ohio, her family moved to Southern California in 1965. After three years in the Los Angeles area, they settled in the Inland Empire. Barb graduated from a Riverside High School and attended the University of California, Riverside for several years. While working two jobs to pay for her first car, and going to school, she found a great interest in the financial industry. Starting out in the Appraisal Department of Security Pacific National Bank, Barb worked on plotting out legal descriptions for the appraisers, researching data, and assisting the Chief Appraiser. Over the next several years, she worked part time and full time with several other banks in their loan installment department, note department, and operations. Barb took banking courses through the Institute of Financial Education, while working with Hemet Federal Savings & Loan. Promoted to the Assistant Branch Manager in the Hemet Main Office, she eventually moved up to Training and Procedures Office for the S&L.
In 1979, Barb obtained a supervisory position with San Diego Federal S&L, which eventually became Great American Savings Bank, and was bought in 1990 by Wells Fargo. During this time, Barb also worked with her husband in performing real estate appraisal services. R&B Group focused on single family and apartments with some commercial assignments as Independent Fee Appraisers. When licensing of appraisers came into effect after the savings and loan debacle of the 1980’s, Prowest Appraisal was set up as a partnership and Minority and Woman Owned Business, of which Barb is a founding partner.
As the CFO of Prowest Appraisal since 1992, Barb has gained appraisal experience with all types of real estate. She has kept up to date with the ongoing changes to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, as well as continuing education that is required in the Appraisal profession. As a Certified General Appraiser, Barb has worked with other designated appraisers on residential and commercial properties all over Southern California, for lending, expert witness assignments, estate and tax planning, and right of way, to name a few.
Barb has been married for thirty one years to Rick, with many blessings and loving memories. They have three wonderful children, two that are married to precious spouses, and their youngest a student at Point Loma Nazarene University. Her interests are reading the Bible, walking with girlfriends or her puppies, reading, playing tennis with her family, sailing, watching the Padres, Chargers and the sunset, and spoiling her grand-dog Nora.
Associated Appraisers:
Mark Berger, MAI
OREA CA Lic. #: AG009224
Mark has been a real estate appraiser since 1972 and has 16 years of trial experience in the Superior Court. Mark has experience in Partial Interest appraisals for estates, easment valuations, construction defect losses, valuation of detrimental conditions - stigma, lease analysis, appraisal review, and thorough analysis - trial support.
Randy Chase
OREA CA Lic. #: AG004418
Randy has been appraising real estate for over 30 years. Randy graduated from Letourneau College with a B.A. in Business Administration and went on to get his M.A. in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary West. He has performed appraisals on a wide variety of properties including: commercial, industrial, vacant land, special use, multi-family, and single-family properties. Randy is currently an associate member of the Appraisal Institute and an MAI candidate. He also holds a California Real Estate sales license and is an approved expert witness for the San Diego and El Cajon court systems.
Bradford Middleton
OREA CA Lic. #: AR032448
A graduate of Florida Southern College with a B.A. in Business Administration. He has been appraising for over 6 years. In addition to a wide range of residential properties, Brady has been involved with many unique appraisals, including commercial/industrial properties and vacant land. Brady is FHA qualified and is continuing his pursuit to become a Certified General appraiser and build upon his local knowledge in the San Diego real estate market.
Nora
Office Mascot
Nora was born on March 11, 2009 in Hemet, CA. She loves to visit the office but also enjoys sleeping in. Her favorite activities include sniffing, chewing squeak toys and playing with her food. She is a bundle of energy in a tiny package.
Some of the organizations in which our appraisers are involved:
See the Links Page for other affiliations and associations.
Call Prowest Appraisal Today!
(888) 212-1888
