Imperial Realty Appraisal under new ownership
Longtime employee Christopher Raber purchased the Lehigh Valley commercial appraisal firm from James Bahnick and will continue operating under the Imperial Realty Appraisal name.
A Lehigh Valley real estate appraisal firm is heading into its next chapter with the acquisition by a long-time employee.
Christopher Raber purchased Imperial Realty Appraisal LLC from owner James Bahnick, who has served the Lehigh Valley area for more than 40 years as a commercial real estate appraiser.
Raber is Bahnick’s cousin and has more than 14 years of experience in the commercial appraisal industry with Imperial Realty Appraisal.
“It’s aways something we’ve talked about, and this was a good time to do it,” Raber said.
He noted they recently moved the office from Whitehall to Pond Road in South Whitehall Township.
Bahnick will be staying on for a period of time to help with the transition.
Raber said he will continue operating the business under the Imperial Realty Appraisal name.
The name goes back to the firm’s origins from when it was part of Imperial Realty, but it has operated as an independent office under Bahnick for about 20 years.
The firm handles commercial real estate appraisals ranging from apartments to industrial properties, and even gas stations.
It can also assist with financing and refinancing.
Raber said he thinks the transition represents continuity for a well-established local appraisal firm at a time when many experienced appraisers are retiring from the industry.
Looking ahead, he said he plans to further develop the company through a new website and potential future expansion of operations while continuing to serve the Lehigh Valley region.