The people behind the reports

Dan Byrne

Senior Partner & Chief Appraiser

NV #A.0206567-CR

Dan Byrne joined the Las Vegas Appraisal Co. team in 2009. He began his appraisal career as President and CEO of Summit Field Inspections and Appraisal Services, where he performed property inspections and preservation for lenders on REO properties throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

He became a Nevada Certified Residential Appraiser after completing over 500 hours of core curriculum and 2,500 hours of supervised work experience. Dan is known for his emphasis on statistics, data analytics, adjustment support, and technology — bringing a rigorous, evidence-based approach to every report.

Dan served as the 2016 President of the Coalition of Appraisers in Nevada (CAN), where he was an active voice for the appraisal profession during a period of significant regulatory change. During his tenure, he advocated before the Nevada Commission of Appraisers of Real Estate (CARE) on issues including customary and reasonable fee standards, raising concerns that fee studies in other states relied too heavily on Appraisal Management Company data rather than direct lender data. He also represented CAN during the adoption hearings for Nevada Administrative Code updates under LCB File No. R073-15, and pushed for stronger educational and experiential standards for appraisal trainees. He continued to engage on legislative matters and fee schedule transparency through at least 2019.

Dan specializes in single-family homes, condominiums, custom homes on acreage, equestrian estates, high-end multi-million dollar custom properties, and vacant land throughout Clark County.

Dan is a Nevada court-certified expert witness who has provided litigation support and expert appraisal services in more than 50 matters across Clark County, including divorce, estate, and contested property valuations. Most cases resolve through mediation or settlement — a reflection of reports built to withstand scrutiny — and Dan has appeared as a testifying expert witness in Nevada district court when a case required it. He has also been engaged as an expert appraiser in out-of-state proceedings.

James K. Smith

Founding Partner

Jim Smith is a lifelong Las Vegas resident who has witnessed the valley's growth firsthand since the 1960s. He has been appraising residential properties in Clark County since 1991, bringing over three decades of deep local market knowledge to every assignment.

Jim has retired from active appraisal practice, part of a broader wave of experienced appraisers stepping back as the profession modernizes. He remains available to the firm as a consultant on complex assignments, drawing on decades of market history, expert witness experience, and a board seat with the Coalition of Appraisers in Nevada.

Sarah Marasigan

Operations Manager

Sarah has been with Las Vegas Appraisal Co. for over nine years, serving as the operational backbone of the company. She manages administrative operations, data entry, bookkeeping, report preparation, client correspondence, and property research.

Sarah ensures that every client interaction is handled professionally and that reports are delivered on time. When you call Las Vegas Appraisal Co., Sarah is often the first voice you hear.