Date of Death & Estate Appraisal Services

Professional Real Estate Valuations for Estates and Probate

When a property owner passes away, determining the appropriate value of real estate can be an important part of settling an estate. Attorneys, executors, personal representatives, accountants, beneficiaries, and other estate professionals may require an appraisal establishing the property's market value as of the date of death rather than its value as of the current date.

A Date of Death Appraisal, also referred to as a retrospective appraisal, provides an independent opinion of a property's market value as of a specific historical date.

DiCicco & Associates provides professional residential date of death, estate, probate, and retrospective appraisal services for clients who require a credible historical valuation of residential real estate.

When Is a Date of Death Appraisal Needed?

A retrospective real estate appraisal may be useful or required for a variety of estate-related purposes, including:

• Estate settlement

• Probate proceedings

• Estate tax reporting

• Distribution of estate assets

• Establishing a property's tax basis

• Determining the value of inherited real estate

• Estate planning and financial reporting

• Divorce or other legal proceedings involving inherited property

• Litigation and other legal matters requiring a historical property valuation

Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate effective date may be the date of death or another specified date. The appropriate valuation date should be determined by the applicable legal, tax, or estate requirements and the professionals advising the estate.

Why Historical Property Valuation Requires Experience

Determining what a property was worth years or even months in the past requires more than looking at today's property values.

A retrospective appraisal requires the appraiser to reconstruct the market conditions that existed as of the effective date of the assignment. This may involve researching historical comparable sales, property records, MLS information, market trends, property characteristics, and other relevant data that existed at or near the valuation date.

The appraiser must also consider the condition and characteristics of the property as of the effective date, rather than simply relying on its current condition.

This type of assignment requires careful research and analysis to ensure that the selected comparable sales and other market evidence are relevant to the historical valuation date.

Independent and Well-Supported Estate Valuations

Estate-related valuations can have significant financial and legal implications. An appraisal prepared for estate or probate purposes should clearly identify the effective date, intended use, relevant property characteristics, market evidence, and analysis supporting the appraiser's opinion of value.

At DiCicco & Associates, we provide independent residential real estate appraisals developed in accordance with applicable professional standards and assignment requirements.

Our approach includes:

• Thorough research of historical market data

• Analysis of relevant comparable sales

• Review of historical property information

• Consideration of market conditions as of the effective date

• Analysis of the property's characteristics and condition

• Clear explanation of the valuation methodology and conclusions

• Professional and confidential handling of client information

Serving Attorneys, Executors, Accountants & Families

DiCicco & Associates understands that settling an estate can involve numerous financial, legal, and emotional considerations. Our role is to provide an independent and credible opinion of the property's market value to assist the appropriate parties with their valuation needs.

We work with attorneys, accountants, executors, personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, and homeowners requiring residential property valuations for estate and other private purposes.

With more than 25 years of residential appraisal experience, we have extensive experience analyzing residential properties and researching market data to develop credible opinions of value.

Date of Death Appraisals in Southeast Florida & Metro Atlanta

DiCicco & Associates provides Date of Death, Estate, Probate, and Retrospective Residential Appraisals throughout Southeast Florida and Metro Atlanta.

Whether you need to establish the value of an inherited home, assist with estate settlement, provide documentation for probate, or obtain a historical market value for another legitimate purpose, we can discuss the assignment requirements and determine the appropriate scope of work.

Need a Date of Death or Estate Appraisal?

Contact DiCicco & Associates to discuss your residential property valuation needs.

Independent Analysis. Credible Valuation. Professional Service.

This page provides general information and is not legal or tax advice. Estate representatives should consult their attorney, accountant, tax professional, or other qualified advisor regarding applicable estate, tax, probate, and valuation requirements.