Date-of-Death Real Estate Appraisals in Southern California: What You Need to Know
When a property owner passes away, accurately determining the value of their real estate is a crucial step in the estate settlement process. In a region as diverse and dynamic as Southern California, a certified Date-of-Death appraisal ensures full compliance with probate court, IRS estate tax filings, and trust distribution requirements—based on the value of the property as of the decedent’s exact date of passing.
A Date-of-Death appraisal, also referred to as a retrospective appraisal, determines the fair market value of a property as of a specific date in the past—typically the date of the owner's death. This appraisal relies on verified sales data and local market conditions from that period and is legally required for:
Probate court filings
IRS estate tax reporting
Trust accounting and division
Equitable distribution of inherited real estate
Southern California includes a wide variety of communities—from coastal cities like Newport Beach and Malibu to urban centers like Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as rural and inland areas. Property types range from luxury estates and beachfront homes to condos, suburban residences, and income-producing units.
Because market values vary widely based on location, property type, and market trends at the time of death, a precise Date-of-Death appraisal in Southern California requires a certified appraiser with regional expertise and access to historical data across multiple property categories.
You may need a Date-of-Death real estate appraisal in Southern California if you are:
An executor or administrator handling a decedent’s estate
A trust attorney, CPA, or fiduciary managing legal or tax filings
A beneficiary dividing inherited real estate assets
Preparing for a trust settlement or probate-related property sale
With over 5,000 certified appraisals completed since 2005, Pacific Home Appraisers is a trusted provider of Date-of-Death, estate, and probate appraisals throughout Southern California. Our team brings deep knowledge of local markets from coastal cities to suburban and rural areas.
We are:
California Certified
USPAP-compliant
Experienced in appraising properties from $250,000 to $20,000,000+
Trusted by attorneys, CPAs, courts, and fiduciaries across the region
Inspection Scheduling – Coordinated with estate representatives or legal teams
Retrospective Market Analysis – Based on historical comparable sales and market conditions
Certified Report Delivery – Completed in 5–7 business days, with rush delivery available within 48 hours (after inspection, subject to availability)
Support for Legal and Financial Professionals – We assist attorneys and CPAs with complete, court-ready documentation
Q: Why can’t I use a current appraisal? A: Probate courts and the IRS require an appraisal that reflects the property’s value as of the date of death, not today’s value.
Q: Are your reports accepted for legal and tax purposes? A: Yes. All appraisals are USPAP-compliant and prepared by California Certified Appraisers.
Q: Do you cover all of Southern California? A: Absolutely. We provide certified appraisal services across Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties.
If you need a certified Date-of-Death appraisal in Southern California, trust Pacific Home Appraisers for timely, accurate, and professional service.
Call: 818-880-1466 Email: PacificHomeAppraisers@gmail.com Website: www.pacifichomeappraisers.com/Probate
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