About Russell Harrist

25 Years of Experience. Every Assignment Handled Personally.

Russell Harrist is a Colorado Certified Residential Appraiser with 25 years of experience serving Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Parker, and communities throughout the metropolitan area. He founded Great Estates, Inc. in 2011 with a focused purpose: to provide clear, well-supported real estate valuations for the attorneys, personal representatives, and corporate trustees who handle Colorado’s probate, estate administration, and estate planning matters.

Every assignment at Great Estates, Inc. is handled personally by Russell, from the initial order through inspection, analysis, and report delivery. There are no handoffs. You work directly with a credentialed, experienced appraiser who understands both the technical requirements and the human context of estate work.

Trusted Estate Valuation When It Matters Most.

Estate and probate work asks more of an appraiser than technical skill alone. Every assignment carries real weight: for families navigating an already difficult time, for attorneys who need a report that will hold up to scrutiny, and for trustees with a fiduciary obligation to the people they serve.

That weight is what draws Russell to this specialization. Delivering an appraisal that gives people what they need to make important decisions and move forward is what makes this work genuinely satisfying.

Russell Harrist · Great Estates, Inc.

Credentials and Affiliations

Professional Qualifications

Colorado Certified Residential Appraiser State-certified by the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers

Certified Probate Expert (CPE) Specialized designation in probate and estate real estate

Colorado Licensed Real Estate Broker Active Colorado real estate license

Member, Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers Professional association membership

25 Years of Residential Appraisal Experience Denver metropolitan area, with deep expertise in Douglas County and the South Metro market

Great Estates, Inc. Founded 2011 Established to serve attorneys, personal representatives, and corporate trustees in Colorado probate and estate matters

How Russell Works

What to Expect

Russell responds promptly to calls and emails. Estate matters are often sensitive and involve private family circumstances, and every engagement is handled with the discretion those situations deserve. Whether you’re an attorney managing a complex estate, a personal representative stepping into an unfamiliar role, or a corporate trustee with a reporting deadline, you can expect straightforward communication and a professional experience from first contact through report delivery.

Work With Russell

Select Your Pathway

Great Estates, Inc. serves three distinct audiences through separate service experiences. Choose the one that fits your situation.

Probate and Estate Attorneys

Attorney Services

USPAP-compliant appraisals and BPOs with account-based billing, net-15/30 terms, and a simple online order intake form.

Attorney Portal

Personal Representatives and Executors

Personal Representative Services

Easy online ordering, published rates, and a free property value estimate to help you get started.

Personal Rep Portal

Banks, Trust Companies, and Fiduciaries

Corporate Trustee Services

Defensible valuations for trust administration and fiduciary reporting, with account-based net-30 billing.

Trustee Portal