A date-of-death appraisal fixes the fair market value of real property as of the exact day an owner passed away. Estates, trustees, and heirs rely on that value to settle probate, report to the IRS, and establish the stepped-up cost basis that determines capital-gains tax when the property is eventually sold.
When a Date-of-Death Appraisal Is Needed
Executors, trust administrators, CPAs, and estate attorneys request these valuations when settling an estate, filing IRS Form 706, dividing assets among heirs, or documenting the stepped-up basis of inherited San Diego County real estate. Property held in a living trust needs the same date-specific value to administer the trust and report to beneficiaries.
How a Retrospective Valuation Works
I reconstruct the local market as it existed on the date of death, analyzing comparable sales that closed around that time rather than today's prices. The finished report documents the subject property, the comparable evidence, the market conditions on that date, and a fully supported conclusion of value — the standard of proof the IRS and probate courts expect.
USPAP, IRS, and Court Acceptance
Every date-of-death report is prepared in compliance with USPAP and written to satisfy the documentation requirements of the IRS, San Diego County probate courts, and estate counsel. With more than 20 years of experience and thousands of completed assignments across the county, my reports are relied on by attorneys, CPAs, and fiduciaries.
Stepped-Up Basis, Briefly
When you inherit real estate, its cost basis is “stepped up” to fair market value on the date of death. A credible appraisal documents that figure, so heirs pay capital-gains tax only on appreciation that occurs afterward — often a substantial tax saving.
Request This Appraisal
Published fees start at $299; your exact fee is confirmed before you commit. See the full fee schedule or request a free quote.