About Us – Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc.

Company Background

Originally incorporated as Herman Gruber & Company in the early 1930s, the company was divided into two segments – real estate and casualty insurance. The real estate activity included land development, commercial development, home building and some appraisal services. In the 1950s, the direction of the real estate department changed as the land development and home building divisions were disbanded. All attention and efforts of the company were directed to the development, sales, and leasing of both commercial and investment properties, with some limited appraisal work. Numerous large neighborhood shopping centers and smaller strip centers were subsequently developed by the company principles. In 1977, Herman Gruber & Company was acquired by a partnership whose majority percentage was owned by A. E. Balkin. Mr. Balkin changed the name of the company to A. E. Balkin & Associates, Inc. and sold the insurance division to a third party. At that time the company’s main focus changed to providing real estate appraisal services while continuing to provide commercial and industrial brokerage and leasing services.

In 1990, Eric A. Trotz began his association with A. E. Balkin & Associates, Inc. as a Memphis real estate agent. On September 1, 1998, Eric acquired A. E. Balkin & Associates, Inc. at which time Eric became the President/Owner of the company. In May 2006, the name of the firm was changed to Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. Basic services of the company include appraisals for municipalities, government agencies, banks, attorneys, mortgage companies, private companies, and individuals, with additional services such as real estate brokerage and leasing, property tax appeals and general real estate consultations. We serve all of West Tennessee and take pride in all of the clients we have been able to help through the years, including those buying and selling homes in the Memphis area, leasing properties, and finding properties for their business.

At its core, the philosophy of Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. is to provide quality work in a timely manner. We are known for our ability to manage various tasks based upon the specific needs of the client pertaining to each assignment. Our reputation is that of a professional company delivering excellent service to our clients. The Shelby County Government Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance has certified that Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. has met the criteria necessary to be certified as a Locally Owned Small Business (LOSB).

Mission Statement

The mission of Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. is to provide superior quality real estate appraisal, brokerage, and consulting services while meeting any and all applicable local, state, federal, and institutional guidelines and regulations concerning real estate appraisal and consulting matters. Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. is dedicated to providing excellent customer service with utmost attention to customer satisfaction while maintaining high levels of integrity and professionalism.

Policy of Non-Discrimination

Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. is committed to the principle of non-discrimination for all of its business practices. This company does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin in the course of all its business. Furthermore, it is the policy of the company to maintain a working environment free of all forms of discrimination.

Striving to maintain business relationships with persons from all backgrounds, Trotz Real Estate Services, Inc. welcomes diversity in all of its business practices.

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Eric A. Trotz, MAI, AI-GRS, GAA

Eric A. Trotz is a Memphis real estate agent, broker, and appraiser. In 1984, Eric obtained a State of Tennessee real estate license and joined the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS, and in 1986 Eric earned a real estate broker’s license. Between 1984 and 1990, Eric was a full-time real estate agent specializing in residential sales.

Eric was recently named the 2023 REALTOR of the Year, the highest honor presented annually by the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS. This award is bestowed upon a REALTOR member in recognition of his or her civic, business, and industry/organizational contributions and achievements during the most recent five years, with special focus on the most immediate past 12 months.

Eric is a longtime member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), Tennessee REALTORS (TR) and the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS (MAAR), where he served as the 2020 Secretary-Treasurer and 2019-2020 Board of Director member, and was also a part of the BOD Executive Committee. Eric is also a past Tennessee REALTOR Board member. Eric’s involvement with MAAR also includes serving on numerous Committees including being a past Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, and past Chairman of the Grievance Committee. Eric is a graduate of Leadership MAAR, and is also a NAR Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) endorsed REALTOR. Eric is currently serving the Tennessee REALTORS on their Professional Standards Committee.

Since 1990, Eric has been engaged in the appraisal, sale and leasing of residential, commercial, multifamily, and industrial properties. Eric is a State of Tennessee Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and a State of Tennessee Real Estate Principal Broker.

Eric is a REALTOR Emeritus which is a special membership status honoring those REALTORS who have held membership in the National Association for a cumulative period of forty (40) years, and have completed at least one year of service at the National Association level.

The MAI Designation has long been recognized by courts of law, government agencies, financial institutions, and investors as a mark of excellence in the field of real estate valuation, property appraisals, and analysis. The MAI membership designation is held by professionals who can provide a wide range of services relating to all types of real property, such as providing opinions of value, evaluations, review, consulting, and advice regarding investment decisions. The Appraisal Institute grants this designation, and only approximately 5% of appraisers worldwide have earned this designation. Eric has been a MAI member of the Appraisal Institute since 2003.

Eric also holds the AI-GRS Designation, which is held by professionals who provide appraisal reviews of a wide range of property types. With the AI-GRS, the Appraisal Institute recognizes members that hold this designation possess the experience and knowledge to address issues unique to real property appraisal reviews.

Eric is also a GAA designated appraiser. The General Accredited Appraiser designation (GAA) is awarded by the National Association of REALTORS. Earning this designation shows that an appraiser has completed appraisal education above and beyond that required for qualification as a state licensed general appraiser. Earning the GAA designation indicates excellence in the appraisal field.

Eric is a member of the National Association of REALTORS Real Property Valuation Committee. The purpose of this committee is to evaluate, monitor, and analyze trends as they relate to real property valuation, to provide recommendations on valuation-related issues and develop policies on same, to monitor and respond to new government guidance and regulations, congressional requests and actions, and to actions by other organizations and entities that might have jurisdiction over or impact on valuation-related issues. Out of NAR’s 1.5 million members, Eric is 1 of only 48 members to be serving on this committee.

Eric is an active member of the Tennessee Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Past leadership positions for the Memphis Chapter include President (2006 and 2012), Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Education Director, Membership Admission and Development Chair, and Board of Director Member. Eric is the current Chairperson of the Memphis Branch Chapter. Eric has also served Region IX of the Appraisal Institute as a member of the nominating committee. Eric regularly attends Appraisal Institute Chapter meetings as a means of networking with other professionals and to learn about current events affecting the real estate industry. Eric is a past participant of the Appraisal Institute’s Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) and served as an advisor to the national leadership of the Appraisal Institute by lobbying members of the U. S. Congress on behalf of the Appraisal Institute.

Eric has served as an appraisal expert witness in Memphis and surrounding areas and has been qualified by the following courts: Shelby County Circuit Court, Shelby County Probate Court, Shelby County Criminal Court, Town of Collierville Municipal Court, Davidson County Tennessee Chancery Court, United States Federal Court and United States Bankruptcy Court.

Having brokered numerous residential, commercial, industrial and land properties, Eric is a Life Member of the MAAR Multi-Million Dollar Club.

Handling real estate matters for over 40 years, Eric has represented a wide variety of clients including banks, municipalities and governmental agencies, multi-family property owners, railroad company, universities, manufacturing and industrial owners, attorneys, CPA’s and numerous other individuals and organizations. Eric has performed numerous special purpose property appraisals and special case studies.

Eric may be reached at 901-683-7373 ext. 101 (o), 901-277-7373 (c), or etrotz@trotzrealestate.com.

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Taylor Berger

Taylor Berger has been an affiliate broker of Trotz Real Estate Services since 2016. He focuses his practice on commercial sales and leasing for landlords and tenants. A graduate of Rhodes College and the University of Memphis School of Law, Berger brings a diverse background to his real estate practice. Advising clients in matters of site selection, tax credits and abatement, construction management and business operations, Berger draws on his own experience as an entrepreneur, developer and attorney.

Taylor may be reached at 901-552-6252 (c) or tcbmem@gmail.com.