Date-of-Death Real Estate Appraisals in Santa Monica: What You Need to Know
Handling the estate of a loved one often involves determining the fair market value of their real property. In a high-demand coastal city like Santa Monica, this is typically done through a Date-of-Death appraisal—a retrospective valuation that reflects what the property was worth on the decedent’s date of passing.
A Date-of-Death appraisal, also called a retrospective appraisal, determines the market value of a property based on historical data as of a specific date in the past. It is required for:
Probate court proceedings
IRS estate tax reporting
Trust accounting and distribution
Equitable division among beneficiaries
This type of appraisal uses sales and market data from the time of death, rather than current market conditions, to ensure legal and financial accuracy.
Santa Monica is known for its luxury real estate, oceanfront condos, historic homes, and highly desirable neighborhoods like North of Montana, Ocean Park, and Sunset Park. Property values vary dramatically based on proximity to the beach, school districts, lot size, and architectural character.
An accurate Date-of-Death appraisal in Santa Monica must account for these hyper-local factors and the city’s dynamic market—requiring the expertise of an appraiser who understands both the area and the requirements of probate and tax law.
You may need this type of appraisal in Santa Monica if you are:
An executor or administrator of an estate
A CPA, probate attorney, or fiduciary handling estate documentation
A beneficiary inheriting or dividing real estate assets
Preparing for a trust settlement or probate sale
At Pacific Home Appraisers, we bring over 18 years of experience and have completed more than 5,000 certified appraisals across Southern California. We specialize in Date-of-Death, probate, and estate valuations, with deep expertise in high-value markets like Santa Monica.
We are California Certified, USPAP-compliant, and trusted by attorneys, CPAs, courts, and financial institutions for producing precise and legally defensible reports.
Flexible Scheduling – We coordinate inspections with family members or legal representatives.
Historical Market Analysis – Our reports rely on accurate sales comps and market data from the decedent’s date of death.
Timely Report Delivery – Receive your appraisal in 5–7 business days. Rush delivery available in 48 hours post-inspection (subject to availability).
Legal and Tax Support – We consult with your attorney, CPA, or fiduciary as needed to ensure compliance and clarity.
Q: Can I use a current market appraisal for probate? A: No. The appraisal must reflect the market value on the date of death to meet IRS and probate requirements.
Q: Are your appraisals accepted by courts and the IRS? A: Yes. Our reports follow USPAP guidelines and are legally compliant for probate, trust, and estate tax filings.
Q: Can you appraise high-end and oceanfront homes? A: Absolutely. We specialize in properties ranging from $250,000 to $20,000,000+, including luxury estates and custom homes in Santa Monica.
For a trusted, certified Date-of-Death appraisal in Santa Monica, rely on Pacific Home Appraisers to deliver fast, accurate, and court-compliant service.
?? Call: 818-880-1466 ?? Visit: https://www.pacifichomeappraisers.com/Probate ?? Email: PacificHomeAppraisers@gmail.com
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