H
otaling Moody & Associates Real Estate Valuation and Advisory began operations on Jan 1, marking a new chapter after Michael Hotaling acquired the firm originally founded by Ron Moody, who brings 53 years of appraisal expertise. The company, formerly known as Moody Williams Appraisal Group, has refreshed its brand with a new logo, marketing collateral and a website at hotalingmoody.com.
The firm remains headquartered in Suite 640 of the Riverplace South office at 1300 Riverplace Blvd, but its scope now stretches across Florida and the southeastern United States. Services cover residential, commercial, industrial, special‑purpose properties and litigation support—including eminent domain, bankruptcy, divorce and estate appraisals. A recent merger with Megas Appraisal Group brought Anthony Megas, who has 33 years of residential appraisal and litigation experience, to lead the residential division.
Hotaling Moody & Associates has worked on high‑profile projects for the City of Jacksonville, the Downtown Investment Authority, the Jacksonville Armada, the Jaguars, the Transportation Authority, JEA and the University of North Florida. The firm has completed hundreds of assignments throughout Florida, Georgia and beyond, earning a reputation for tackling complex projects in healthcare, office, sports, automotive, retail, industrial, marine and government sectors.
Ron Moody earned a business degree with a real‑estate focus from the University of North Florida in 1974, began his career with appraiser Stewart Steeg, and later co‑founded Broom, Cantrell, Moody & Johnson and Broom, Moody, Johnson & Grainger Inc., eventually serving as CEO. In 2015 he launched Moody Appraisal Group LLC, rebranded in 2020 as Moody Williams Appraisal Group, and sold his stake to Hotaling in 2023. Moody now works 35 hours a week, concentrating on litigation support and eminent domain cases, and enjoys testifying before judges.
Michael Hotaling joined Moody Appraisal Group in 2018, became a partner in 2022, and purchased the firm in May 2023. At 58, he holds appraisal licenses in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and has worked from Washington, D.C. to Key West and Texas. Hotaling plans to expand the firm’s presence throughout the southeastern U.S., with potential offices in Gainesville, St. Augustine and Savannah. He believes the firm can compete with national appraisal firms and is eager to grow into new markets.
Hotaling focuses on corporate work and eminent domain, while Megas handles residential appraisal and litigation. Moody’s expertise remains centered on the Jacksonville market. The combined team boasts 130 years of experience.
The firm’s downtown presence is strong, having performed appraisals on many Southbank developments, including the Shipyards. Moody served on the Downtown Investment Authority for seven years, chairing it in 2020‑21, and the firm’s Southbank location was strategically chosen in 2015. Hotaling confirms the firm will continue to operate in downtown Jacksonville, capitalizing on the area’s ongoing development.
