Pete Haginas Jr., MAI, began his real estate career in Houston, Texas, in 1986 and in 1991 founded his own firm, Haginas & Company. Operating under the name of Haginas & Chapman, with long time associate John Chapman, SRA, the company developed a strong presence as a full service real estate appraisal firm offering residential and commercial appraisal services. In the mid 1990’s, Pete launched Appraisal Management Services (”AMS”) which has grown into an industry-leading force providing services to federally regulated financial institutions on issues of appraisal compliance, ordering and review.
Pete attended Texas A & M University and graduated from the University of Houston. Pete was an avid student of the appraisal industry through day-to-day appraisal practice as well as professional education courses. He held many positions in the Houston Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and served as President in 1999. He served the Appraisal Institute on numerous boards at the national level, taught Appraisal Institute courses, and published articles for appraisal and banking organizations. Pete’s extensive knowledge of appraisal procedures, regulatory requirements, and credit policy along with his humor, wit, candor, and personal skills endeared him to close working relations and friendships within the banking community.
In the mid 1990’s at the request of a lender, Pete was brought in to advise the bank on appraisal policy and appraisal practices and requirements. From this encounter sprang the genesis of AMS. Pete was retained as an outsourcing firm for the bank’s appraisal department, and in effect, became their “Chief Appraiser.” The success of Pete’s relationship with the bank spread among bankers until at the time of his death he was the Chief Appraiser to over 30 (and growing) federally regulated institutions. Pete worked closely with bank CEOs and Credit Administrators in developing appraisal policy and not once was a client ever cited for a Title IX FIRREA appraisal violation under his watch. Pete’s innovation with AMS has led to it being a leader in the emerging commercial appraisal management industry.
Pete loved spending time at his weekend home in Galveston where he spent his leisure time fishing with friends and family, including his wife Sandy and daughters, Brett and Drew. He is remembered for hosting his annual crawfish boil for friends and clients. As a lifelong Houstonian, Pete was an avid fan of Houston sports, and his office was decorated with memorabilia from past and present.
Pete James Haginas Jr., passed away at the age of 50 years on December 11, 2008 from complications of Myasthenia Gravis. We remember him as a dedicated family man to his immediate and extended families; dear friend and advisor to many professionals in the appraisal and banking communities; paternal mentor to his work associates and employees; and actively involved to community service.
