George T. "Tom" Timmons
After serving in the U. S. Marines for three years, Tom began his career in 1956 with Retail Credit Company, now known as Equifax, Inc. In 1959 he was transferred to Rensselaer, Indiana where he was responsible for that location, which had one other investigator. He investigated for insurance companies and did employment investigations. In 1964 Tom moved back to Lafayette and John E. Smith & Co., Inc., where he was involved in property management. While there, he obtained his Indiana Real Estate broker’s license.
In 1969 Tom left John E. Smith & Company to pursue two ventures, both occurring about the same time. With others, Tom purchased a franchise for the Jerry Lewis Theaters and opened twin theaters in Lafayette, seating 350 in each. The concept did not fare well, and at the end of two and a half years, the venture ended.
Also in 1969, with a partner, Tom purchased a restaurant and tavern known as Sonny’s Tavern in Lafayette, which they operated until 1977 when they sold it.
From then until 1979, Tom worked for Capp Homes and sold out of Jacksonville, IL. After one year, he was promoted to manage an office at Davenport, IA. His family stayed in Lafayette, and because of the strain of commuting back and forth on weekends, Tom left Capp Homes and returned to Lafayette.
He joined Highland Park Associates, Inc. as a real estate salesman in 1979, and in 1982, he purchased Highland Park Management, Inc. from Bud Sanders. This company grew from about 32 to about 150 units at its peak. During that time, Tom began purchasing seventeen properties on his own and fixing them up, almost all being single family dwellings. He completely renovated three buildings and applied for and successfully obtained two federal tax credits for himself and five federal tax credits for others. He still owns and manages all but two of these properties today, however he has mostly given up management of properties owned by other people.
In 1989 Tom began learning the appraisal business under the tutelage of Bud Sanders. In 1992 he obtained his Indiana Certified General Appraisers’ License and has been appraising continuously since then. During this time he has been affiliated with Bud Sanders Appraisal Division as an independent appraiser and specializes in Commercial and Special Use appraisals.
On July 26, 1991 Tom graduated from the College for Financial Planning out of Denver, Colorado after completing the CFP Professional Education Program. Tom does not actively pursue a career in financial planning, but obtained the education in order to broaden his financial background.
Tom holds an Indiana Real Estate Broker’s License No. (PB51208540) and an Indiana Certified General License (CG69201266) and is a member of the Greater Lafayette Chapter of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers.