Don Smith was born and raised in Oshawa and started his real estate and appraisal career with Mendyk Mantle Realty and Insurance Co. in 1974. He received his Real Estate Broker license in 1976, his professional "Fellow of Real Estate Institute – FRI" designation in 1979, his professional accreditation from the Appraisal Institute of Canada as "Canadian Residential Appraisal – CRA" in 1981, his professional designation from the Real Estate Institute of Canada as "Certified in Marketing Real Estate – CMR" in 1984, his professional accreditation from the Appraisal Institute of Canada as "Accredited Appraiser of the Canadian Institute – AACI" in 1988. He served on the Provincial Admissions Committee and Oshawa-Durham Chapter Committee of the Appraisal Institute of Canada from 1989 to 1994.
Don incorporated Durham Appraisal Services Inc. in 1988 and it has now merged with Puckrin & Company Inc. Don continues to work with them in the capacity of Senior Appraiser/Consultant. His professional experience covers a wide range of real estate valuations; residential, commercial (and investment), industrial, agricultural, vacant land and rural properties. He has qualified as an expert witness in the Supreme Court of Ontario, County and District Court. Specific assignments have been completed for a diverse clientele including private developers, lawyers, accountants, government ministries, municipal bodies and financial institutions.
