TSL Express Daily News

NEW CANAAN, CT, January 28, 2022 – Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams is pleased to announce that one of its portfolio companies, Class Valuation (the “Company”), has acquired Metro-West and subsidiary, Valuation Link. Metro-West is the largest independent residential appraisal firm in the nation, with staff appraisers located in over 80 major metro markets in the US. Metro-West’s partner company, Valuation Link, also touts nationwide coverage through management of a traditional 1099 appraiser panel.

Based in Detroit, Metro-West has provided reliable, fully compliant residential real estate appraisal solutions and alternative valuation products for clients since 1987. Metro-West is the nation’s largest independent appraisal firm with staff appraisers located in over 80 major metro markets, each staffed with full-time W-2 appraisers who help maintain quality and consistency across the company’s entire network.

Valuation Link is a full-service national provider of appraisal management, valuation management, and settlement solutions. Operating daily in all 50 states, Valuation Link (VL) was founded and managed by certified appraisers with over 100+ combined years of experience serving many of the top lenders in the country.

“One area of focus for us has been the growth of a staff appraiser network and building out a nationwide trainee program,” said John Fraas, CEO of Class Valuation. “This program can improve the current capacity challenges facing the industry while also strengthening the appraiser workforce for the future. This new partnership with Metro-West and their vast network of staff appraisers will fit perfectly with this initiative.”

Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Gridiron Capital, stated, “The addition of Metro-West and Valuation Link opens many opportunities for Class to further enhance its high-quality service, market-leading turnaround time, and overall value proposition to clients.”

Will Hausberg, Senior Managing Director at Gridiron Capital, added, “Acquiring Metro-West and Valuation Link will help Class Valuation continue to revolutionize valuation solutions through innovation within the home appraisal industry.”

This is the fifth acquisition Class Valuation has made in the last 12 months and the seventh of the last several years. Through these strategic acquisitions, Class has added strength in specific regions of focus around the country, built out a robust, national Staff Appraiser model, and gained superior market data analysis capabilities. Together, Class Valuation’s family of brands are working hard to reimagine the appraisal industry to deliver more accurate, transparent, timely appraisals to the mortgage community while simultaneously growing and protecting the future of the independent appraisal profession.

About Gridiron Capital, LLC:

Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry-leaders in branded consumer, B2B and B2C services, and niche industrial segments in the United States and Canada. We help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Additional information is available on the firm’s website: www.gridironcapital.com.

About Metro-West Appraisal Co., LLC:

Headquartered in Detroit, Metro-West has provided reliable, fully compliant residential real estate appraisal solutions and alternative valuation products for clients since 1987. Metro-West is the nation’s largest independent appraisal firm with staff appraisers located in over 80 major metro markets, each staffed with full-time W-2 appraisers who help maintain quality and consistency across the company’s entire network.

About Valuation Link, LLC:

A full-service national provider of appraisal management, valuation management and settlement solutions. Operating daily in all 50 states, Valuation Link (VL) was founded and managed by certified appraisers with over 100+ combined years of experience serving many of the top lenders in the country.

About Class Valuation:

Class Valuation is a top nationwide Appraisal Management Company (AMC), delivering outstanding quality and service to every client. The company is committed to combining the best people, products, processes, and technology available to help lenders make more homeownership dreams come true. Class has consistently been ranked highly in client service by several of the nation’s top ten mortgage lenders and has been recognized as a top place to work, along with receiving many other industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.classvaluation.com.

For Additional Information:

Press Contact:

For Gridiron Capital, LLC:

Thomas A. Burger Jr., Co-Founder and Managing Partner
tburger@gridironcapital.com

For Class Valuation:

John Fraas, Chief Executive Officer
jfraas@classvaluation.com