Patch Candidate Profile: Elliott C. Morales, Brookfield BOAA

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Elliott C. Morales, 60, is running for re-election to the Brookfield Board of Assessment Appeals as a Republican.

Education.

I received a diploma for the Course of Real Estate presented by Ponce Board of Realtors Inc at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce, Puerto Rico. I am a State of Connecticut Certified Residential Appraiser and a Licensed Real Estate Broker in good standings. I'm a Broker Partner with eXp Realty of CT. I am also a Field and Desktop Review Appraiser for Lenders throughout the United States. I hold a Certified Review Appraiser designation with N.A.R.A.M.U. (National Association of Review Appraisers and Mortgage Underwriters) and a Certified Real Estate Appraiser, Registered Professional Member designation with N.A.R.E.A. (National Association of Real Estate Appraisers). After extensive training I was appointed Certified Mentor for new or inexperienced agents with eXp Realty of CT.

What is your occupation?

Since 1990, Owner and operations manager of Morales Real Estate Associates, LLC based in Brookfield. Broker Partner with eXp Realty of Connecticut. Real estate sales, residential appraisals, property investments.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Proud father of two sons.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Yes. I am a former Norwalk, CT Board of Assessment Appeals member prior to moving to Brookfield and currently Certificate of Appointment as a Notary Public.

Why are you seeking this office?

I challenged my assessment in 2022 with an independent fee appraisal which was $50,000 less than what the town’s mass appraisal of my property. I couldn’t believe it was not reduced at all after providing the best evidence one could give for a revaluation. In this year’s appeal I presented a second appraisal that was almost $50,000 less than their assessment. When I submitted my second appeal, I asked the two board members why they did not reduce my assessment at all the first time. I could not believe the longstanding female board members' response who said that they dismissed my appeal since my appraiser was not from the area. I am sure that they did not know at that time that I have previously served on Norwalk’s BOAA and am a certified appraiser who does this for a living. So, I then proceeded to share who I was and what I did for a living for over 37 years. I explained to them that appraisers in CT such as myself are state certified and are qualified to appraise all properties in CT not just a specific Town or County. A few weeks later I received a reduction of $29,000. It took two appraisals, and they only reduced the value $29,000 vs the $50,000 shown in 2 independent professional fee appraisals. I felt so dissatisfied with the result and frustrated with the appeal process that I knew that I had to get a position on this board to help my fellow Brookfield residents who deserve a fair and accurate assessment. At that moment I reached out to the office of the first selectwoman to ask how I can serve on this board to help the board give fair and accurate assessments for the residents.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is overvalued property assessments compounded with the shrinking dollar during this unprecedented time of inflation. I am not able to address the inflation and prohibitive cost of living issue however I certainly can improve the existing assessment process for my constituents. My frustration is that not enough residents appeal their taxes. I believe that they do not appeal their assessments as they do not understand the process and feel that they will not get a fair review or reduction in their assessment from past experiences. I would start by making residents aware that they can get a fair appeal process. For those that wish to appeal their assessment I would educate and advise them to present evidence of an overassessment by submitting an independent fee appraisal signed and issued by a state certified residential or general appraiser. Such evidence will meet the best definition of market value as of October 1st of any evaluation year. I would ensure complete honesty and integrity in the review process and assure every Brookfield resident that I am not driven or influenced by political ideology. I will work in a bipartisan manner with all BOAA members. I will take my oath seriously and faithfully execute the duties of the office.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate with extensive professional designations and experience in appraisals and real estate sales both of which are pertinent to a fair and accurate assessment process. In addition, I am the only candidate that has served as an expert appraisal witness in legal matters and has performed Desktop Review Appraisals for Lenders throughout the country.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I plan to correct the overassessment of property values and assessment process to provide unbiased and impartial fair assessments for the taxpayers. I will do this by impeding the access of non-board members to have any information and or input into the decision-making process of the BOAA. The decisions must be made by the BOAA and based on evidence provided by the taxpayers such as independent fee appraisals. This will greatly help
improve the lack of impartiality previously shown in my personal experience with the BOAA.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I started my professional career in real estate sales, appraisals, and property management approximately 37 years ago. My accomplishments are that I started as a sales associate and within 4 years I became a broker, opened my real estate firm, and had up to 12 agents working for me and up to 16 appraisers in 4 states who I have trained, developed, and mentored. I am a team leader and certified mentor for eXp Realty of CT. I completed Norwalk People Empowering People program. I received an award for Outstanding Leadership and certificate of recognition from Keller Williams Platinum Properties. I have a certificate from the Parent Leadership Training Institute(PLTI) as prescribed by the PLTI Norwalk Design Team and the
Connecticut Commission on Children. I hold two National Designations for Appraisers previously mentioned. I received a certificate of completion as a Certified Distressed Property Expert. I am a recognized expert Appraiser witness in both Superior and Bankruptcy courts as well as Board of Assessment Appeals throughout the state of CT. Prior to my move to Brookfield, I served on the Board of Assessment Appeals for the City of Norwalk with over 91,000 residents.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

I have received great advice throughout the years as well as heard people give great advice which I adhered to my everyday life, these are a few that I live by. Treat people the way that you want to be treated and respect is earned not given. “There are always 2 sides to a situation that is why you should put yourself in the other person's position to understand their side of the situation”. Comedian Steve Harvey says, “God is not through with me yet.” which is true for me. The most important one is from “Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lien on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was once a moderate democrat until 8 years ago when I noticed my previous party started to lose traditional American values as it is quite evident today under the current administration which is destroying our beautiful country. Today, I am proud to be a conservative Republican and look forward running with Team Tara Carr & Joe Rondini who are driven to ensure that Brookfield continues to thrive and remain beautiful. I have Christian values and for many years was an Usher and then Usher Captain at the Kingdom Life Christian Church in Milford, CT. I am currently attending Brookfield First Assemblies of God Church where I plan to participate in the Usher ministry once completing a five-week course. I strongly believe that my many years of real estate knowledge and expertise, especially as an appraiser, realtor and former BOAA member, will give residents the utmost confidence that the evidence provided before me regarding their property will be taken under the best consideration to assess the property accurately. I look forward to earning your respect and confidence and to serving you on the Board of Assessment Appeal for the next four years.