Residential Divorce Appraisals

Independent, Market-Supported Valuation for Property Settlement and Legal Matters

Real estate is often one of the largest assets involved in a divorce or property settlement. When the value of a residence is disputed—or when both parties simply need a reliable number from which to negotiate—a professionally developed appraisal can provide an independent opinion of market value supported by documented market evidence.

Realist Appraisal Services provides residential divorce appraisal services throughout Genesee, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee Counties. The appraisal is developed independently and without advocacy for either party’s desired outcome.

Why a Divorce Appraisal Is Different From an Online Estimate or CMA

Online estimates and broker price opinions may be useful for general information, but they do not provide the same independent appraisal analysis. A divorce appraisal requires the appraiser to identify the relevant market, inspect and analyze the property when the scope of work requires it, select and verify comparable market evidence, analyze differences, and clearly explain the final value conclusion.

For unusual homes, waterfront property, acreage, extensive remodeling, functional issues or limited comparable sales, that analysis becomes even more important.

Current and Retrospective Value

Some divorce assignments require the property’s current market value. Others require a retrospective value as of a prior date, depending on the legal issue and instructions from the client or counsel. Realist Appraisal Services can develop either current or retrospective residential valuation when the assignment is appropriate and the necessary market data is available.

Common Divorce Appraisal Situations

  • One party intends to keep the residence and buy out the other party’s interest
  • The property may be sold and the parties need an independent value opinion
  • The parties have substantially different opinions of the property’s value
  • An attorney needs a professionally documented appraisal for negotiation or litigation
  • A historical effective date is required
  • The property is complex, waterfront, acreage-oriented or otherwise difficult to compare

Independence Matters

An appraiser’s role is not to advocate for the husband, wife, owner, attorney or lender. The appraiser’s role is to develop a credible opinion of value based on the assignment conditions and market evidence. That independence is particularly important when the value conclusion may be reviewed, challenged or relied upon in a legal setting.

Clear Analysis and Defensible Reporting

A strong divorce appraisal should do more than state a number. The report should make the valuation process understandable: which market was analyzed, why the selected sales were relevant, how significant differences were considered, and how the final value conclusion was reconciled.

Realist Appraisal Services emphasizes market-supported analysis and documentation designed to withstand review and scrutiny.

Request a Divorce Appraisal

To request a fee and turnaround quote, provide the property address, the intended use of the appraisal, whether a current or retrospective effective date is required, and the contact information for the authorized client. If an attorney is involved, any assignment instructions or required effective date should be provided before the appraisal begins.

Realist Appraisal Services • Fenton, Michigan • (810) 593-5000