About Gregoire & Gregoire Inc.

Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc. was incorporated in 1986 by Donald K. Gregoire, IFA and Francois K. Gregoire IFA RAA. The Company provides valuation, expert witness, tax appeal and consulting services for a wide variety of local and national clients. Clients include Banks, Mortgage Companies, Mortgage Insurers, Property Insurers, Realtors, Attorneys, Private Individuals and Government Agencies.

Francois K. Gregoire, IFA, RAA is a second generation Realtor and Appraiser. He has been involved in Real Estate Appraisal since 1977, is a member of the National Association of REALTORS Appraisal Section and a Designated (IFA) Member of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers. In addition to providing Expert Witness services for private and government clients, Frank is often quoted as a source for nationally syndicated real estate columnists and appears as a speaker on appraisal and mortgage related topics. Articles by Francois Gregoire have been published in the REALTOR® Magazine and the Journal of Property Economics. Francois K. Gregoire is a FHA Roster Appraiser and has over twenty years of experience in the development of appraisals for FHA Mortgage Insurance. He completed the first Master Appraisal for a proposed multi-story HUD Approved Condominium in Florida in 1990

In February, 2000 Governor Jeb Bush appointed Francois K. Gregoire to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, the regulatory agency for Florida Real Estate Appraisers. The Governor appointed him to a second term in March, 2004. Gregoire served as Chairman of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007 and Vice Chairman in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc. is ready and able to help you with your appraisal and valuation needs for Pinellas County, Florida residential properties.

Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc.

Realtor - Appraiser

Office 727-344-3393

Fax 727-344-3395

EMAIL

Greetings from St. Pete

Merry Christmas to All from the Sunshine City in the Sunshine State

Vote for Frank Gregoire August 26, 2008

Here are a few links to prior posts to save you the time of searching for pertinent information about the Primary Election.

List of Endorsements and Supporters - This includes appraisers, members of real estate appraisal boards and regulatory agencies and Past Presidents and current leadership of the Florida Association of Realtors. This is only a partial list of supporters as their are over 300 contributors to the Frank Gregoire Campaign

Frank's Qualifications and synopsis of Professional Experience - There is also a link to my resume

Letter from Governor Charlie Crist - Governor Crist recognizes Frank's service on the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Ken Harney quotes Frank Gregoire

Ken Harney, author of the nationally syndicated column "The Nation's Housing", quotes Frank Gregoire in his August 22, 2008 article.

Appraisers feel pressure to hit the high
numbers

By Kenneth R. Harney

The Nation's Housing

Have the real estate valuation shenanigans and inflated home appraisals that characterized the boom years disappeared from the marketplace?

Are mortgage loan officers and realty agents — even individual home sellers — continuing to influence or attempting to interfere with appraisals despite new federal rules that ban such behavior?

Ask appraisers and many will tell you: It's still business as usual. Attempts at encouraging inflated appraisals continue to be commonplace, though in some cases the techniques have become subtler.

..........

The obvious intent here, according to Frank Gregoire, immediate past chairman of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board and an appraiser in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area, "is really to find out: Will this guy play ball? Will he be cooperative when we need him?"

Gregoire says appraisers still routinely receive probing e-mails and phone calls from lenders and brokers designed to elicit the same information: Will an appraiser "pre-comp" a property with a sales contract pending at a specific price? Can a specific valuation number needed for a refinancing — which may be far out of line with current local property values — be reliably reached by the appraiser?

Part of the reason in today's market environment, he said, "is that things are tough, sales volumes are down, and some lenders know that they'll eventually find someone who'll cooperate" — often a newcomer to the appraisal field who badly needs an assignment. "It's not easy for some of them to say no, especially when they see business go to folks who everybody knows are playing the game."

Only when federal and state governments severely punish unethical appraisers and the people who pressure them "will all this start to get under control," Gregoire said. But he sees some signs for optimism: State regulators in Florida and elsewhere are cracking down increasingly on appraisers, even stripping away their licenses. And the new federal legislation authorizes financial penalties to be imposed by the secretary of housing when appraisers are found to have caved to pressure and cooked the books to inflate values.

-------------------------

Although this article appears in today's St. Petersburg Times, use THIS LINK to read it in The Washington Post.

Mr. Harney has sought Frank Gregoire's thoughts on number of occasions. Follow the links below to a sample of The Nation's Housing columns.

Appraising a Shifting Market

High Appraisals Signal Change

Lawsuit Seeks to Deflate The Puffery in Appraisals

Pinellas County Primary Ballot

Here is a sample ballot for the Pinellas County Primary Election. Truthfully, this is what it should look like when you turn it in.

Appraisal Institute - THANKS!

Thanks to the Florida West Coast Chapter of the Appraisal Institute for hosting the Candidate Forum yesterday at the conclusion of their meeting in Tampa.








It was great to see so many friends and supporters. Since yesterday was the last day to accept contributions for my Campaign for County Property Appraiser, it was particularly encouraging to accept checks and cash from some of the attendees.

Sign Damage and Removal

Over the past two days there have been several reports by property owners that Frank Gregoire for County Property Appraiser signs have been removed or damaged. These include yard signs and large format signs, installed either by the property owner or with the permission of the property owner.

If you are missing a sign or see one missing or damaged, please call or email the campaign using the contact information in the left sidebar.

Let us know if you need a sign too.

Please refrain from damaging, defacing or removing any candidate's signs unless they have been placed on your property without your permission.

Less than Two Weeks to Go!

The August 26th Primary is less than two weeks away. Tens of thousands of absentee and "vote by mail" ballots have been delivered to Pinellas County Voters. Early voting started yesterday.

To prepare for the increased traffic on the Campaign Website, vote4frank.org, there have been some important updates.

• A paragraph describing Frank Gregoire's commitment to Restoring Public Trust in the Property Appraiser's office has been added to the Main Page
• The list of Endorsements and Supporters has been updated to include more leaders of the Florida Association of Realtors. There are now over 16 Past Presidents of the Florida Association of Realtors on the list along with the entire 2008 Leadership Team.
• The list of Endorsements and Supporters has been updated to include more appraisers, members and former members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board. All current members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board support my Campaign for Pinellas County Property Appraiser along with two former Chairs of the FREAB
• We added a Contribution Form to the "Contribute - Help Frank" page. The pdf form may be completed online and printed locally. This provides an alternative to using a credit card via the secure server.
• A link to the St. Petersburg Times "Know Your Candidates" publication has been added to the "News - Links" page

Tell a friend, family member or neighbor and encourage them to visit the site.

Try out the Contribute button or the Contribution form. We could sure use your help in the next few days.

News and Updates

The August 5, 2008 Fundraising Reception at Interior Motives was well attended and successful. Many thanks to Leslie Curran, Nancy Riley, Michael Bindman, LuAnne Woods, Carol Hasbrouck, Amy Bromley and Amy Bofman for their efforts and the contributions their efforts generated.

That same evening we made an appearance at the St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists dinner meeting. In addition to Judicial and Sheriff Candidates, I made a presentation along with the other candidates for Property Appraiser. It's great to provide folks with a firsthand view of the contrast between a Professional Appraiser, a State-Certified Appraiser, and individuals with no state appraisal license.

The roster of supporters continues to grow. Appraisers and Past Presidents have been added to the list of contributors. Take a look at the updated list!

Endorsements and Supporters

James Amorin, MAI, SRA, President-Elect, Appraisal Institute

Paul Amirto, Appraiser
Ben Anderson, Appraiser
Timothy Andersen, MAI

Hazel Annis, Appraiser

Dennis Badger, Appraiser, Investigator-Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board

Bruce Barrow, Appraiser
Patricia Birch, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Harry Bright, Appraiser

Bruce Buzzell, Appraiser
Bill Coffman, Appraiser

Milton Corson, Jr, MAI, SRA
Earle "Jack" Crahan, MAI
Thomas Crockett, MAI, SRA
Bruce Cumming, Chair, Membership Admissions, Development and Retention

Susan Dailey, Member, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Paul DelleDonne, Appraiser
Brent Diehl, Appraiser
Robert Dunham, MAI, SRA
James Earle, Appraiser
Henry Entreken, MAI, SRA
Ted Faravelli, Appraiser
Robert E. Galliher, MAI, SRA, GAA
Phil Gehres, MAI, SRA
H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI
John Gillott, MAI, SRA
Karen Goforth, MAI
Bob Gorman, MAI
Joni Herndon, SRA, Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Tom Hockensmith, SRA
Andrew Hupp, MAI

Gregory G. Johnson, MAI, SR/WA

Todd Jones, MAI

Clay Ketcham, MAI, SRA, CCIM, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Patricia Kathman, Appraiser
William Barry Kelley, SRA

Debbie LaJeunesse, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board

Charles Ledet, Appraiser

Bill Mallette, Appraiser
Leslie McKeon, MAI, SRA
Steve Marshall, MAI, SRA, Past Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
James Millspaugh, MAI

Ami Milne-Allen, Appraiser, Member, Vermont Board of Real Estate Appraisers
Stephanie Monaghan, Appraiser

Jeanne Obedzinski, MAI
Evalyn "Fran" Oreto, Past President National Association of Master Appraisers

Mack Provart, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board
R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, President, Appraisal Institute

Janet Rabin, Appraiser
Gina Rascati, SRA
Jack Rawlings, GAA

Dan Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
Mike Rogers, MAI, Member, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Donald Rousseau, Appraiser
Donald Sarley, SRA, Chair, Florida Appraisal Council

David Sawyer, Appraiser

Michael Seward, Appraiser
Sam Slater, RAA

Russell Sloan, MAI, Past Chair, Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board
Eric Schwartz, MAI, SRA

John Schweitzer, Appraiser
Jay Small, Esq., Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Joe Thouvenell, MAI, CRE
C. Richard Tobias, MAI
Joe Traynor, Past President, Indiana Association of Realtors, Member, Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman, Indiana Real Estate Appraisers Licensure and Certification Board
Joyce Tubb, GAA
Joan Trice, SRA
Chris Van Slooten, SRA
Steve Van Slyke, Appraiser
Jesse Vance, MAI, SRA, Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
Carl Velie, SRA, Vice Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute

Robert Vespa, IFA, ASA
Andrew Wheaton, Appraiser
Judith Whitehead, Appraiser
Danny Wiley, SRA, Past Chairman Appraisal Standards Board
Cynthia Wright, MAI

Don Asher, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Chuck Bonfiglio, President, Florida Association of Realtors
Claude "Chip" Boring, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Todd Dantzler, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Michael Dooley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Roger Enzor, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Member, Florida Real Estate Commission
Summer Greene, Secretary, Florida Association of Realtors

Russell Grooms, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Bob Hudgens, Treasurer, Florida Association of Realtors
Dale Jundt, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Jim Kasper, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Frank Kowalski, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Mike Owen, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Marie Powell, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Nancy Riley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, State Committeewomen, Pinellas County

Tom Salomone, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cynthia Shelton, CRE, President Elect, Florida Association of Realtors
Maurice (Moe) Veissi, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Harry Vordermeier, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past Chairman, Florida Real Estate Commission
William Watson, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cathy Whatley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past President, National Association of Realtors

Richard Butler, Vice-Mayor, City of Pinellas Park
Leslie Curran, St. Petersburg City Council

Neva Conway, Esq., Counsel, Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board
Henry Faircloth, Chair, North Carolina Real Estate Appraisal Board
Dr. Robert Melby
Dr. Jack Ross

Benefit for Wounded Armed Forces

Although this is not a Campaign event, these are friends of the Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign, and we encourage your support.

The Cowboy Comedian is married to Patsy Gleason of Chicago Title. He presents the "Some Gave All" Tour August 20, 2008 at the Tampa Improv in Centro Ybor. Proceeds benefit the wounded warriors in the Tampa Bay Area through the Friends of the Tampa Bay Marines.

Tickets are only $10.00 in advance, $12.00 for the day of the show.

This is one entertaining way we can support troops who are all over the world protecting our freedom. This year alone, The Cowboy has entertained troops in Guam, Korea, Iraq and other places not included in any vacation package.

After being with the troops and visiting hospitals. He now brings his enthusiasm home to show everyone. Come to The Tampa Improv August 20th , and you will be helping in a very important way. Proceeds from the tickets sold will be donated to the Wounded Soldiers Program. Funds earned from this program go towards our local heroes in the military. So…grab a friend with your helping hand and have some great laughs while supporting the service men and women of the United States of America.

Details and tickets are available online right HERE. Please support this event.

Thanks,

Frank

Candidate Appearance

The North Pinellas Republican Club is is providing time for a Candidate Forum during their meeting on July 17th, 2008. Property Appraiser Candidates Frank Gregoire and Pam Dubov will make presentations and take questions from attendees.

The meeting is held at the Rheba Sutton White Chapel, 1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor, Florida. It starts at 7:00 P.M. Call 727-725-4241 for more details.

Here is some information about the Rheba Sutton White Chapel - LINK

To find the location, a map is available at this LINK

Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there.

Thank You Governor Crist!

Excerpted from a June 17, 2008 letter from Governor Charlie Crist to Frank Gregoire........



"Serving as a member of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board and as Chairman, you have showcased dynamic leadership qualities and have enhanced the real estate industry here in the Sunshine State.


Your faithful service has helped to develop exceptional appraisal regulation in the Sunshine State. Thank you for selflessly giving of your time, knowledge, ans skills to ensure quality business practices in real estate."


Copy of the letter is HERE.

In Case You Were Wondering.....

Because of some news and mail, some folks might wonder a bit about the extent of my appraisal experience. Be assured, I have experience in the appraisal of property other than residential. Although my specialty since 1989 has been 1 - 4 family residential property, I have experience in residential, commercial (office, hotel-motel, retail) and industrial valuation.


A copy of my Appraisal Resume is available in the sidebar or by clicking HERE!


Most important, however, is the fact I have over 30 years of experience appraising right here in Pinellas County and have completed thousands of appraisals of property from Tierra Verde to Tarpon Springs.


Since 1976, I have been self-employed in the real estate profession and have been a full-time real estate appraiser since 1982. I have never been employed by Pinellas County or the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.

It's time to elect a Professional Appraiser, for a Change!

Campaign Website Update

The Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign website is in the process of being updated. There have been some important additions over the past few days.



Take a look at http://www.vote4frank.org/ to see some of the additions. One of the first you will notice is "the Gregoire Guarantee".


Another addition is titled "What They're Saying about Frank". This includes links to letters from Governor Charlie Crist, Governor Jeb Bush and a Resolution adopted by the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board.

Soon to be added to this section is the list of Endorsements and Supporters. Although there have been additions to the "Endorsements" page, the list has yet to be been added. Here is a preview of those names:

Endorsements and Supporters

James Amorin, MAI, SRA, President-Elect, Appraisal Institute

Paul Amirto, Appraiser
Ben Anderson, Appraiser
Timothy Andersen, MAI

Dennis Badger, Appraiser, Investigator-Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board
Patricia Birch, Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Harry Bright, Appraiser

Bruce Buzzell, Appraiser
Bill Coffman, Appraiser
Earle "Jack" Crahan, MAI
Thomas Crockett, MAI, SRA
Bruce Cumming, Chair, Membership Admissions, Development and Retention
Paul DelleDonne, Appraiser
Brent Diehl, Appraiser
Robert Dunham, MAI, SRA
James Earle, Appraiser
Henry Entreken, MAI, SRA
Ted Faravelli, Appraiser
Robert E. Galliher, MAI, SRA, GAA
Phil Gehres, MAI, SRA
H. Linwood Gilbert, MAI
John Gillott, MAI, SRA
Karen Goforth, MAI
Bob Gorman, MAI
Joni Herndon, SRA, Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

Tom Hockensmith, SRA
Andrew Hupp, MAI
Patricia Kathman, Appraiser
William Barry Kelley, SRA

Debbie LaJeunesse, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board

Charles Ledet, Appraiser
Leslie McKeon, MAI, SRA
Steve Marshall, MAI, SRA, Past Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
James Millspaugh, MAI
Stephanie Monaghan, Appraiser
Evalyn "Fran" Oreto, Past President National Association of Master Appraisers

Mack Provart, Appraiser, Past Chair Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board
R. Wayne Pugh, MAI, President, Appraisal Institute

Janet Rabin, Appraiser
Gina Rascati, SRA
Jack Rawlings, GAA

Dan Richardson, PhD, MAI, AICP
Mike Rogers, MAI
Donald Rousseau, Appraiser
Donald Sarley, SRA, Chair, Florida Appraisal Council

David Sawyer, Appraiser
Sam Slater, RAA
Eric Schwartz, MAI, SRA
Jay Small, Esq., Past Chair, Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
Joe Thouvenell, MAI, CRE
C. Richard Tobias, MAI
Joe Traynor, Past President, Indiana Association of Realtors, Member, Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees, Chairman, Indiana Real Estate Appraisers Licensure and Certification Board
Joyce Tubb, GAA
Joan Trice, SRA
Chris Van Slooten, SRA
Steve Van Slyke, Appraiser
Jesse Vance, MAI, SRA, Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute
Carl Velie, SRA, Vice Chair, Region X, Appraisal Institute

Robert Vespa, IFA, ASA
Andrew Wheaton, Appraiser
Judith Whitehead, Appraiser
Danny Wiley, SRA, Past Chairman Appraisal Standards Board
Cynthia Wright, MAI

Don Asher, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Chuck Bonfiglio, President, Florida Association of Realtors
Claude "Chip" Boring, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Todd Dantzler, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Michael Dooley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Roger Enzor, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Member, Florida Real Estate Commission
Summer Greene, Secretary, Florida Association of Realtors

Russell Grooms, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Bob Hudgens, Treasurer, Florida Association of Realtors
Dale Jundt, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Jim Kasper, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Mike Owen, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Nancy Riley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, State Committeewomen, Pinellas County
Cynthia Shelton, CRE, President Elect, Florida Association of Realtors
Maurice (Moe) Veissi, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors

Harry Vordermeier, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past Chairman, Florida Real Estate Commission
William Watson, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors
Cathy Whatley, Past President, Florida Association of Realtors, Past President, National Association of Realtors

Richard Butler, Vice-Mayor, City of Pinellas Park
Leslie Curran, St. Petersburg City Council

Neva Conway, Esq., Counsel, Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board
Henry Faircloth, Chair, North Carolina Real Estate Appraisal Board
Dr. Robert Melby
Dr. Jack Ross

Frank Gregoire Supporters

Meet two of the most ardent supporters of the Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser Campaign!

Donald and Claire Gregoire

THANKS!!

Donald Gregoire, my Father, is the FIRST Generation Real Estate Broker, Certified Appraiser, Real Estate and Appraisal Instructor of the Gregoire family. I was fortunate to have been trained and mentored by one of the best and to have the honor of continuing the family business. Thanks Dad.

Crist is engaged

CRIST IS ENGAGED

ST. PETERSBURG - Florida’s most powerful bachelor is getting hitched.
Gov. Charlie Crist, single for nearly three decades, on Thursday became engaged to his girlfriend of nine months, Carole Rome.

(Full Story)

Congratulations, Governor Crist!!

I have some news for you all too, but will just give you a picture for the time being

About That Logo in the Lower Left

Some of you may have noticed the logo posted in the lower left hand corner of this site. It's been there since this site has been titled "Frank Gregoire for Pinellas County Property Appraiser".

The event prompting the posting of the logo and the link to the Florida DUI and Administrative Suspension Laws is well known to my friends, members of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, any student in one of my appraisal classes, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In fact, this event was discussed the day I made the announcement of my candidacy for Pinellas County Property Appraiser.


This was during my presentation at the Appraisal Buzz Mortgage Fraud Seminar at the St. Petersburg Hilton on January 18, 2008. There were at least three reporters present; Susan Taylor Martin of the St. Petersburg Times, Shannon Behnken of the Tampa Tribune and Terry Sheridan of the Daily Business Review.

Here's the story:

Specifically, this was an arrest for Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving Under the Influence on August 11, 2002. On February 6, 2003, I plead No Contest and was adjudicated guilty. My penalty consisted of a fine and court costs of $578.00, 50 hours of Community Service, completion of Alcohol Evaluation and DUI School, one year probation and 6 month revocation of my driver’s license.

On February 6, 2003, the same day as my plea, the fine was paid, the community service obligation was fulfilled, I was released from probation and issued a business only driver’s license. The alcohol evaluation and DUI School were completed before the pleading and conviction, in September 22, 2002.

Six months after the plea, I was issued my permanent driver’s license with no restrictions.

Since the arrest, I have significantly altered my behavior and no longer consume alcohol and drive. In addition, in public presentations, course and seminars I conduct, the story of my arrest and experience is usually worked into the program, along with the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential for injuring or killing of innocent people.

This arrest occurred while I was a member of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB). It was disclosed to the Florida Governor and his appointments office when I applied for re-appointment to the FREAB. The Governor re-appointed me to the FREAB in February, 2004.

Since it's not possible for me to relate the story to everyone personally, nor give them my pitch about the dangers of driving while under the influence, I post the logo and the link on this site.


Please stay safe this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend. Let's celebrate our freedom and liberty and arrive alive.

Hug a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine!

Frank

UPDATE!!

After reading the post above, one of the speakers at the Mortgage Fraud Seminar described above emailed me on another matter. I called to provide him some contact information for a speaker for an event he has in the works. We talked about the St. Petersburg Times article and the comments I made during the seminar. What I did not know was how seriously drunk driving impacted his family. His Father in Law was killed by a drunk driver several years ago.

This IS serious, folks. You, someone in your family or someone close can be killed or seriously injured. Please be careful and be responsible. At the very least, take a look at the penalties for this type of offense. It's easy to comply with the law.

Thank you, Chris, for telling me your story.