Holmby Hills, one of the most exclusive and iconic neighborhoods in Los Angeles, is synonymous with prestige, architectural grandeur, and world-class estates. As part of the Platinum Triangle—along with Bel Air and Beverly Hills—Holmby Hills is home to some of the most valuable residential real estate in the United States. When a property owner in Holmby Hills passes away, their estate almost always includes high-value real property that requires a formal Date of Death Appraisal for tax reporting, probate, or trust distribution.
Whether you're an estate attorney, fiduciary, CPA, or heir managing a luxury property in Holmby Hills, understanding the importance of a Date of Death Appraisal is essential for ensuring legal compliance, accurate valuation, and a smooth estate settlement process.
A Date of Death Appraisal is a certified real estate valuation that determines the fair market value of a property as of the exact date the owner passed away. This is a retrospective appraisal, meaning it reflects historical market conditions and comparable sales at the time of death, not current values.
This appraisal is often required for:
Probate court filings
IRS estate tax reporting (Form 706)
Fiduciary and trust accounting
Establishing a stepped-up basis for capital gains tax
Equitable distribution among heirs or beneficiaries
Given the exceptionally high value of homes in Holmby Hills, most estates that include such properties surpass the federal estate tax exemption threshold. A certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal is required to support the property’s value on estate tax filings. Without this documentation, the estate may face legal complications or IRS disputes.
A stepped-up basis resets the property’s tax basis to its market value as of the date of death, significantly reducing capital gains taxes when the property is sold. A Date of Death Appraisal provides this essential valuation, protecting heirs from overpaying taxes in the future.
In multi-heir estates, a certified appraisal provides an impartial valuation of the property, supporting fair decision-making whether the asset is to be sold, retained, or divided through financial equalization.
Trustees, attorneys, and executors have a legal duty to account for all real estate assets accurately. A Date of Death Appraisal meets court and fiduciary standards, ensuring all parties fulfill their obligations properly.
Properties in Holmby Hills are among the most elite in the world. Common features include:
Gated estates on multi-acre lots
World-renowned architecture by names like Paul Williams, Richard Meier, and Wallace Neff
Panoramic views of city lights, the Wilshire Corridor, and distant ocean horizons
Proximity to UCLA, Bel Air Country Club, and the Los Angeles Country Club
Historic celebrity ownership and legacy estates
Appraising property in Holmby Hills requires expert insight into off-market sales, land value influence, architectural pedigree, and estate-specific features such as guesthouses, tennis courts, theaters, and security systems.
A certified appraisal from Pacific Home Appraisers includes:
A complete interior and exterior inspection (when access is permitted)
Historical sales analysis with comparable estates sold near the date of death
Adjustments for square footage, land size, views, amenities, and construction quality
Parcel maps, assessor records, high-resolution photographs, and zoning documentation
A final certified opinion of value delivered in a USPAP-compliant PDF report
Our reports are accepted by probate courts, the IRS, attorneys, CPAs, and trustees throughout California.
Estate attorneys filing probate documents or trust petitions
CPAs and tax advisors preparing IRS Form 706
Trustees and fiduciaries responsible for estate oversight
Beneficiaries and heirs managing the transfer or sale of inherited property
Real estate professionals listing legacy or inherited properties
Court-appointed administrators handling contested or high-value estates
We begin by discussing the date of death, purpose of the appraisal, access coordination, and report deadlines. For time-sensitive needs, we offer 48-hour rush service.
Our certified appraiser conducts a detailed walkthrough of the property, including any guesthouses, entertainment spaces, outbuildings, and land features. If access is not possible, we offer desktop or exterior-only options using historical MLS, listing archives, and public records.
We analyze luxury estate sales in Holmby Hills and surrounding ultra-high-value areas (Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood) that closed around the valuation date. Adjustments are made for location, design pedigree, land size, view quality, and features.
Our appraisals are delivered within five to seven business days, or 48 hours if expedited. The report is provided in a secure PDF format, ready for use in probate court, with attorneys, or for IRS submission.
Yes. These are retrospective appraisals, and we routinely complete them months or years after the date of death, using reliable historical market data from the relevant period.
Absolutely. All reports are USPAP-compliant and certified, making them legally valid for use in probate, trust accounting, and federal tax filings.
Each property must be appraised individually. We offer bundle pricing and coordinated scheduling for multi-property estates.
With over 5,000 certified appraisals completed across Southern California, Pacific Home Appraisers is a trusted leader in estate, trust, and luxury property valuations. We have extensive experience appraising Holmby Hills estates and understand the complexity of evaluating properties in one of the most elite markets in the nation.
Proven experience with trophy homes and legacy estates
Reports accepted by IRS, courts, attorneys, and fiduciaries
Certified, USPAP-compliant valuations ready for legal or tax purposes
Prompt delivery: five to seven business days, with 48-hour rush service available
Discreet, knowledgeable, and professional service tailored to high-net-worth estates
If you are managing an estate and require a certified Date of Death Appraisal in Holmby Hills, contact Pacific Home Appraisers today.
Call 818-880-1466 Visit www.pacifichomeappraisers.com to learn more or schedule your appraisal.
We are committed to providing precision, integrity, and peace of mind throughout every step of your estate valuation process.