LAKELAND, FL, February 23, 2026 – Saunders Real Estate has appointed industry veteran Jim Pruitt to lead its new Saunders Valuations division, further expanding the firm’s service offerings across the Southeast. With the launch of Saunders Valuations, the firm is deepening its commitment to giving landowners, lenders, and investors clear, reliable insights in a market that continues to grow more complex and data-driven.
Jim Pruitt, Appraisal Managing Director at Saunders Valuations
Pruitt brings more than 33 years of experience in real estate valuation, appraisal review, and department leadership. He has worked across commercial, agricultural, and special-use properties. A third-generation real estate professional and native Floridian born in Winter Haven, he is a State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in multiple states.
“Accurate valuation sits at the center of every meaningful real estate decision, from land acquisitions to large-scale development and complex financing,” said Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate. “As our clients’ needs for a range of real estate services continue to evolve, the need for in-house valuation expertise has become essential. Launching Saunders Valuations under Jim’s leadership allows us to provide a fully integrated advisory platform and strengthens our position as a market leader in land and commercial real estate across the Southeast.
Supported by Saunders Real Estate’s proprietary Lay of the Land® Market Reports and Atlas, the firm combines decades of transaction data with regional market insights to deliver appraisals that are precise, reliable, and grounded in real-world trends. These tools give Saunders the ability to provide high-level valuations across all types of land and commercial real estate transactions.
Pruitt most recently served as Chief Appraiser at AgAmerica Lending in Lakeland, where he oversaw appraisal reviews nationwide. Prior to that, he spent 25 years with A.R.E.A. Real Estate Appraisers, Inc., managing the commercial appraisal department under the company’s president. He also leads Palantir, Inc., an appraisal, consulting, and technology firm that uses drone imagery and advanced analytics to deliver faster, more reliable valuations. That technology and expertise now strengthen Saunders Real Estate’s in-house capabilities.
Pruitt is an Accredited Member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and holds the organization’s Real Property Review Appraiser (RPRA) designation. He is also listed on Farmer Mac’s Preferred Appraisers List in Florida and Georgia. In addition, he is FAA Part 107-certified to operate drones, underscoring his commitment to using innovative tools and data-driven methods in modern appraisal practice.
“Saunders has built one of the strongest land and commercial real estate platforms in the Southeast,” said Pruitt. “Bringing valuation fully in-house allows us to move faster, deliver deeper insights, and give clients greater confidence in every decision they make. I’m excited to help expand that capability and build something truly best-in-class.”
Pruitt has built and led appraisal teams throughout his career, streamlining workflows and integrating advanced mapping and valuation technologies. He is known for delivering reliable, timely reports that withstand rigorous client scrutiny and comply with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) guidelines. He is also qualified as an Expert Witness in multiple Florida judicial circuits, including Pasco, Lake, and Duval counties.
The launch of Saunders Valuations marks another step in the firm’s strategic growth. By bringing appraisal services in-house, Saunders Real Estate expands its ability to advise lenders, investors, landowners, and developers with greater speed, coordination, and precision.
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.