Estate and Probate Appraisals

Residential Valuation for Estates, Probate and Trusts

When real estate is part of an estate, trust or probate matter, the value of the property may affect important financial, legal and family decisions. A professionally developed appraisal provides an independent opinion of value supported by market evidence and documented analysis.

Realist Appraisal Services provides residential estate appraisal services throughout Genesee, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee Counties. Assignments may involve a current value or a retrospective value as of a prior effective date, including the property owner’s date of death when that is the required valuation date.

Common Estate-Related Uses

  • Estate settlement and administration
  • Probate matters
  • Trust administration
  • Retrospective/date-of-death valuation
  • Asset division among heirs or beneficiaries
  • Sale or disposition planning
  • Basis-related documentation when a qualified appraisal is requested by the client or tax professional
  • Disputes requiring an independent residential value opinion

Independent, Market-Supported Valuation

The appraisal is developed independently. The objective is not to reach a predetermined number, but to develop and explain a credible value conclusion supported by the available market evidence.

Historical valuation is not simply a matter of finding an old sale and adjusting it forward or backward. The appraiser must analyze the property as it existed on the effective date, determine what market data was relevant, evaluate the competitive market at that time, and reconcile the available evidence into a supportable opinion of value.

Working With Attorneys, CPAs, Fiduciaries and Families

Estate assignments often involve more than the property owner alone. Realist Appraisal Services can work with the authorized client, attorney, accountant, fiduciary or other designated party to clarify the intended use, effective date, property characteristics and reporting requirements before the assignment begins.

Properties We Commonly Encounter

  • Conventional single-family residences
  • Condominiums
  • Lakefront and waterfront homes
  • Custom and high-value residences
  • Homes on acreage
  • Rural residential property
  • Vacant residential land
  • Properties with accessory buildings or unusual improvements
  • Properties requiring retrospective analysis after later remodeling or changes

Request an Estate or Probate Appraisal

To request a fee and turnaround quote, provide the property address, the purpose of the appraisal and the required effective date. If the assignment is retrospective, include the historical date that must be addressed. We will review the property and assignment requirements before confirming the scope of work.

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