Stephen Whitsitt founded Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. and serves as CEO, holding both the MAI and SRA designations from the Appraisal Institute — credentials that require demonstrated experience, peer review, and ongoing education — so clients receive reports signed by an appraiser whose qualifications withstand lender and court scrutiny.
Whitsitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hanover College and has practiced as a licensed appraiser for more than 40 years across Champaign County and Central Illinois.
Whitsitt built his professional record through active appraisal work, expert witness testimony in multiple Illinois jurisdictions, and specialized experience in eminent domain assignments, including right-of-way and easement valuations, as well as special-use property appraisals — so that attorneys and agencies receive a defensible value conclusion for property types that fall outside standard comparable analysis.
Whitsitt served as past president of the Heart of Illinois Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and played a central role in facilitating the merger of that chapter with the Chicago Chapter, producing one of the largest appraisal chapters in the country.
Whitsitt also served as a board member of the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals (ICAP), the statewide organization representing licensed appraisers before the Illinois General Assembly.
Whitsitt taught appraisal courses at Parkland College in Champaign and served as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Whitsitt currently participates in Champaign West Rotary and Central Illinois Rental Property Professionals, maintaining active ties to the local community and market.
Mark S. Whitsitt, SRA, serves as Chief Marketing Officer and Residential Supervisor for all residential appraisal operations at Whitsitt & Associates, Inc., holding the SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute.
Whitsitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University and has practiced as a licensed appraiser since 2006, accumulating nearly two decades of active residential appraisal experience across Champaign County and Central Illinois — so residential clients work with a supervisor who knows the local comparable inventory, not a regional average.
Whitsitt served on the Champaign County Board of Review from 2012 through 2016 and served as Interim Supervisor of Assessments for Champaign County in 2016, giving the firm direct institutional knowledge of the assessment and tax appeal process that benefits clients challenging property values.
Whitsitt served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Heart of Illinois Appraisal Institute Chapter, assisted in the merger with the Chicago Chapter, and served on the Board of Directors for both the Chicago Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the Homebuilders’ Association of East Central Illinois. Central Illinois Business Magazine nominated Whitsitt for its 40 Under 40 selection in 2016, and Whitsitt graduated from the United Way Emerging Community Leaders program in 2011.
Angie Brix is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser licensed by the State of Illinois and joined Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. in 2017 — bringing both appraisal credentials and active brokerage experience so residential clients receive a value conclusion grounded in how Champaign-area buyers and sellers actually behave in the market.
Brix earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Brix has held a Real Estate Broker license in Champaign since 2007 and graduated from the United Way Emerging Community Leaders Program in 2010, serving on the Champaign City Council.
Brix completes residential appraisal reports for single-family homes, condominiums, zero-lot-line properties, vacant residential and recreational land, and 2–4-unit small residential investment properties, and has participated in appraisal review services for the firm.
Aimee Baumgartner is a Certified Residential Appraiser licensed by the State of Illinois and began her career with Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. in 2018. Baumgartner earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Baumgartner completes residential appraisal reports for single-family homes, condominiums, zero lot line properties, vacant residential and recreational land, and 2–4 unit small residential investment properties — so lenders and homeowners receive a credentialed, USPAP-compliant value conclusion for the full range of residential property types in Champaign County.
Baumgartner has also participated in appraisal review services for the firm, contributing to internal quality control across residential assignments.
Meg Bialeschki joined Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. in 2022 and holds an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser license issued by the State of Illinois. Bialeschki was raised in Newman, Illinois, graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Business Administration, and worked in retail management before earning a Licensed Real Estate Broker credential in 2016.
Bialeschki completes appraisal education and fieldwork through Whitsitt & Associates, Inc., with experience in single-family homes, condominiums, zero-lot-line properties, vacant recreational and agricultural land, residential land, and 2–4-unit small residential investment properties.
Bialeschki is progressing toward Certified Residential Appraiser status under the direct supervision of the firm’s credentialed residential appraisers.
Christy Whitt, MAI, began her career as a commercial appraiser in 2013 and holds the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. Whitt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and worked as an educational program developer before transitioning to commercial appraisal practice — bringing structured analytical methodology to complex property assignments.
Whitt completes commercial appraisal assignments for Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. across retail, office, warehouse, industrial, subdivision, vacant commercial land, special use, and multi-family property types throughout Champaign County and Central Illinois — so commercial clients and lenders receive a credentialed value conclusion across the full range of income-producing property categories the firm accepts.
Wade Denby holds a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license through the State of Illinois and has served as a commercial appraiser with Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. since 2014.
Denby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Illinois Springfield and spent more than 25 years in banking, including a role as a commercial loan officer in Champaign-Urbana, so commercial clients receive appraisal reports structured with direct knowledge of how lenders evaluate collateral, identify methodology gaps, and trigger revision requests.
Denby completes commercial appraisal assignments across multi-family, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, and vacant commercial land property types throughout Central Illinois.
Bryan Robinson joined Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. in 2022 and holds an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser license issued by the State of Illinois. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and brings real estate experience from prior work at a community bank in Central Illinois.
Robinson completes appraisal education and fieldwork through Whitsitt & Associates, Inc., with experience and training across retail, office, warehouse, industrial, commercial land, special use, and multifamily property types.
Robinson is progressing toward Certified General Appraiser status under the direct supervision of Stephen Whitsitt.
Clients who hire appraisal firms that outsource file review or rotate staff mid-assignment receive inconsistent reports that generate revision requests and delay closings.
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. operates with a full in-house staff of credentialed appraisers, licensed supervisors, and administrative professionals who handle every assignment from intake through delivery without outsourcing scope decisions or review.
Clients work with the same team members from the first call through final report delivery at the firm’s Champaign County office at 2916 Crossing Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61822. Call (217) 356-7605 or request an appraisal to get started.
How long has Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. been in business?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. has operated as a licensed real estate appraisal firm in Champaign County, Illinois, since 1983. Stephen Whitsitt founded the firm and has led appraisal operations in Central Illinois for more than 40 years across residential, commercial, and complex property assignments.
What credentials do the appraisers at Whitsitt & Associates hold?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. employs appraisers holding the MAI and SRA designations from the Appraisal Institute, the Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license, and the Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser license issued by the State of Illinois. Stephen Whitsitt and Christy Whitt hold the MAI designation. Mark Whitsitt and Angie Brix hold the SRA and Certified Residential credentials, respectively.
What does the MAI designation mean for a real estate appraiser?
The MAI designation is awarded by the Appraisal Institute to appraisers who demonstrate competency in commercial property valuation through experience requirements, peer review, and ongoing education. An appraiser holding the MAI designation has met the Appraisal Institute’s standards for income-producing and complex property assignments.
What does the SRA designation mean for a residential appraiser?
The SRA designation is awarded by the Appraisal Institute to residential appraisers who demonstrate proficiency in valuing single-family and small residential investment properties. An appraiser holding the SRA designation has satisfied the Appraisal Institute’s experience, education, and peer review requirements for residential practice.
How many appraisers does Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. employ?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. employs eight appraisal and support professionals across residential and commercial practice areas. The team includes two MAI-designated appraisers, two SRA-designated appraisers, one Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, two Certified Residential Appraisers, and two Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraisers licensed by the State of Illinois.
What property types does the Whitsitt & Associates team appraise?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. appraises residential property types, including single-family homes, condominiums, zero lot line properties, vacant land, and 2–4 unit small residential investment properties. The firm also appraises commercial property types, including retail, office, warehouse, industrial, multi-family, special use, subdivision, and vacant commercial land throughout Central Illinois.
Does Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. handle legally sensitive appraisal assignments?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. completes appraisals for divorce, probate, estate settlement, eminent domain, and tax appeal assignments across Champaign County and Central Illinois. Stephen Whitsitt has served as an expert witness in multiple Illinois jurisdictions, and every report the firm delivers meets the USPAP standards required for submission to Illinois courts.
Where is Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. located, and what areas does the firm serve?
Whitsitt & Associates, Inc. is located at 2916 Crossing Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61822 and serves Champaign County and the broader Central Illinois region, including Urbana, Savoy, Piatt County, and Douglas County. Clients outside the primary service area should call (217) 356-7605 to confirm geographic coverage before submitting an assignment request.
