Privacy Policy

At PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy, protecting confidential client information is a core part of every real estate appraisal assignment we perform. This Real Estate Appraisal Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, retained, and protected during residential and commercial appraisal engagements, including divorce appraisal, estate appraisal, property tax appeal appraisal, litigation support, and expert witness assignments.

Whether you are an attorney, accountant, lender, broker, trustee, executor, or property owner, you deserve clarity regarding how sensitive appraisal-related information is handled. PahRoo maintains confidentiality standards consistent with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and applicable state licensing requirements.

PahRoo primarily serves Cook County, Illinois, including Lincolnwood and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, while also supporting appraisal clients in Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Naples.

1. Who We Are

PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy, LLC is a licensed real estate appraisal firm headquartered in Lincolnwood, Illinois. We provide residential and commercial appraisal services for attorneys, accountants, bankers, brokers, trustees, fiduciaries, and private property owners.

Our appraisal services include:

1. 1. Divorce appraisal
   2. Estate and probate appraisal
   3. Property tax appeal appraisal
   4. Litigation support appraisal
   5. Expert witness services
   6. Pre-listing appraisal
   7. Retrospective appraisal assignments

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us, request an appraisal, or engage our services, we may collect:

• • • Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
    • Property address and description
    • The purpose of the appraisal (e.g., estate settlement, divorce proceeding, tax appeal, sale)
    • Any additional context you share to help us complete the assignment

If you are a professional referral partner (attorney, lender, accountant, or real estate broker), we may also collect your firm name, professional licence number where relevant, and contact preferences.

2.2 Information Collected Through Our Website

Our website is hosted on WordPress. When you visit or interact with it, we or third-party services may collect:

• • • Your IP address and general location data
    • Browser type and version
    • Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs
    • Device type and operating system

This information is collected primarily through cookies and analytics tools. See Section 4 for details.

2.3 Information Collected via Our Podcasts

PahRoo produces two podcasts: Appraisers on Purpose and Amusing PahRooZings. If you subscribe, leave a review, or contact us through a podcast platform, that platform’s own privacy policy governs the data collected. We may receive aggregated listener data (download counts, geographic distribution) but do not typically receive individual listener personal information unless you contact us directly.

2.4 Information Collected via Email Communications

If you subscribe to our email list, we collect your email address and, where you provide it, your name and professional role. We use a third-party email platform to send marketing and informational communications. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email we send.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• • • Provide, complete, and deliver appraisal services you have engaged us for
    • Communicate with you about your appraisal assignment, including scheduling and delivery
    • Respond to enquiries submitted through our website or by phone
    • Send marketing communications to subscribers who have opted in
    • Maintain records required under applicable appraisal licensing laws and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
    • Comply with legal obligations, including responding to court orders or subpoenas in litigation matters
    • Improve our website through analytics
    • Detect and prevent spam or fraudulent activity

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device.

4.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• • • Essential cookies: Required for the website to function. These include session management and security cookies. They cannot be disabled without affecting site functionality.
    • Analytics cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. This includes pages visited, time on site, and traffic sources. Google Analytics data is anonymised and aggregated. You can opt out via the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
    • Marketing/preference cookies: If you have opted into email communications, third-party marketing platforms may set cookies to track email open rates and link clicks.

4.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website. Our site does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.

5. Who We Share Your Information With

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share it in the following limited circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party vendors who process data on our behalf, including:

• • • Email marketing and cold outreach platforms (e.g., Smartlead)
    • Website hosting and WordPress infrastructure providers
    • Analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics)
    • Spam detection services

All service providers are required to handle your data in accordance with applicable law and our instructions.

5.2 Professional Referral Partners

Where you are referred to us by a matrimonial attorney, estate attorney, lender, or other professional, we may share appraisal progress updates or completed reports directly with that referring professional, as appropriate to the engagement. If you are an end client (homeowner, estate beneficiary, or litigant), we will only share your appraisal report with parties you have authorised or who are legally entitled to receive it.

5.3 Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose your information where required to do so by law, court order, or regulatory authority, including in connection with appraisal licensing compliance, litigation support engagements, or responses to valid legal process.

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you if this occurs and your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. How Long We Retain Your Data

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law.

• • • Appraisal assignment records: Retained for a minimum of five years following completion of an assignment, in compliance with USPAP record-keeping requirements and applicable state licensing regulations. In some jurisdictions or engagement types, we may retain records longer.
    • Client and referral partner contact information: Retained for the duration of the business relationship and for a reasonable period thereafter, unless you request deletion.
    • Email subscriber data: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
    • Website analytics data: Retained in accordance with our analytics provider’s default retention settings (typically 26 months for Google Analytics).
    • Enquiry and contact form submissions: Retained for up to three years, unless the enquiry resulted in a formal engagement, in which case appraisal record retention periods apply.

Where legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations require us to retain data, we will do so regardless of a deletion request, and will notify you accordingly.

7. Your Rights Over Your Data

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• • • Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
    • Correction: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
    • Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations.
    • Objection: You may object to our use of your information for marketing purposes at any time.
    • Portability: Where technically feasible, you may request your data in a portable format.

Illinois residents should note that Illinois state law may provide additional rights. California residents may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected and the right to opt out of sale (we do not sell personal information).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at michaelh@pahroo.com. We will respond within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

8. How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These include password-protected systems, limited access to sensitive data on a need-to-know basis, and encrypted transmission of data where appropriate.

No system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of information transmitted via the internet. If you have concerns about the security of your data, contact us directly.

Given the sensitive nature of some appraisal engagements (including divorce and estate proceedings), we treat client information with particular care and discretion.

9. Embedded Content and Third-Party Links

Pages on our website may include embedded content from third-party platforms (such as podcast players, video embeds, or social media widgets). Embedded content behaves as if you had visited that third-party site directly. Those websites may collect data about you, use cookies, and monitor your interaction with the embedded content. Their own privacy policies govern that data collection.

Our website may also contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and recommend you review their policies independently.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it. 

11. SMS Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy

11.1.  Program Description and Message Types
When you opt-in to receive SMS messages from PahRoo Appraisal through our website forms or other communication channels, you are agreeing to receive text messages. These messages may include account notifications, scheduling updates, appraisal order alerts, appointment reminders, and occasional marketing or promotional updates.

11.2. Message Frequency
Message frequency varies depending on your interactions with us, active appraisal orders, and your communication preferences.

11.3. Pricing
Message and data rates may apply. Check with your mobile carrier for details on your plan’s text messaging rates. PahRoo Appraisal does not charge you to receive or send text messages.

11.4. How to Opt-Out (Stop)
You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Simply text STOP to any message you receive from us. After you send the SMS message “STOP” to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time or contact our office.

11.5. How to Get Help (Help)
If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program or need assistance, you can reply with the keyword HELP for more information, or you can visit our website at https://www.pahroo.com/ or contact our support team directly.

11.6. Mobile Information Privacy Assurance
We respect your privacy. No mobile information or phone numbers will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated by posting an updated notice on our website. Continued use of our website or services after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact:

Michael Hobbs, MAI, SRA
President, PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy, LLC

• • Email: michaelh@pahroo.com
  • Phone: 773-388-0003
  • Website: PahRoo Appraisal & Consultancy