When you picture New York, you might imagine fast-paced Manhattan: yellow cabs, skyscrapers, and streets buzzing with energy. But drive a few miles north on I-87 — New York’s throughway to Montreal — and you open the door to breathtaking vistas, historic small-town charm, and a rhythm that’s all its own
That’s how Centurisk Valuation Consultant Jay Shalakho explained it, when asked about the appraisal territory he’s grown to know and love. “There’s this moment when you leave the congestion of New York City behind, and suddenly you’re driving past everything from weathered red barns and covered bridges to active farm systems. You’ll find Main Streets lined with antique shops, little restaurants, and art galleries. It’s a world filled with Americana and it’s a nice change of pace.”
Seasons and solutions
Jay’s work takes him from his home in Brooklyn to all four corners of the state, from Western New York and the Finger Lakes through the North Country and on down to the Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, and Long Island. After 24 years on the job, this is highly familiar territory, yet he still describes the land like he was driving through a painting. “Especially in the Fall, there’s this fiery explosion of color,” he said, “orange, red, and gold across the mountains. Every mile or two, I want to pull over and take pictures. But I have a job to do, so occasionally I’ll take a quick shot and I’m on my way.”
Each season brings its own experiences — and its own set of logistical hurdles for appraisal. In the thick of summer, Jay might trek across a sun-scorched blacktop or swat away bugs in rural brush, while winter means bundling up and navigating icy parking lots and unplowed access roads. “It’s not easy when you can’t use your measuring wheel on the ground because of snow drifts,” he admitted. “You learn to measure the length of the walls instead and gather additional data from blueprints. Sometimes you can ask the district’s ground crews to plow you a path from building to building. And you must come prepared with good waterproof boots!”
Jay recounted one incident in March, flying out of Syracuse, when a snowstorm hit. To get to the appraisal sites, he rented a four-by-four truck and drove through the heavy snow, picking up his coworkers at their hotels along the way.
But these challenges are part of what makes the journey memorable, and Jay handles this problem solving with grace. Typically, he appraises standard school district buildings and town offices during his travels, but every now and then he encounters an outlier. “I had to appraise a duck once… “ Jay said, with the casual tone of a person who knows very well that’s an attention-grabber. “It’s a visitor center,” he explained, grinning, “a building shaped like a duck. It’s an icon in the area and owned by the town of Southampton, Long Island. But yeah, when suddenly you’re tasked with getting the square footage of a fifteen-foot duck, you know you’re going to have an interesting day.”
Character, craft, and community
As Jay journeys across upstate New York through his appraisals, he enjoys the unique character he finds in every locale. In Woodstock, he’s passed tie-dye storefronts and local musicians setting up impromptu performances. In Saratoga Springs, he’s walked through elegant neighborhoods near historic racetracks. In the Finger Lakes, he’s taken in views of vineyards sloping down to quiet waters. And in Niagara, he watches in amazement at how, no matter where he drives, he can still see the mist from the Falls miles away.
Each stop offers a new glimpse into the character of the state. “It’s this eclectic mix. These are people of history and character, some who decided the City was too hectic for their lifestyle and made their way north,” he said. “So, you’ll drive through one town with Revolutionary War roots, and 20 minutes later you’re in a place full of indie art galleries and farm-to-table cafés. It’s a different mindset, and a different pace, with the towns like pieces in a patchwork quilt. Together, it makes upstate New York one fascinating place to experience.”
And Jay Shalakho is stitching it all together, one property appraisal at a time.