Brian Ward Appraisal

Date of Death Appraisal Service

Date of Death Appraisals, also known as retrospective appraisals, are a significant portion of our business. We meet regularly with families settling estates needing valuations for tax purposes and estate administration.

The effective date of a date of death appraisal is some date in the past, usually when a person passed away. Our historical appraisals range from one month to over 30 years prior. We prepare IRS-compliant appraisals at competitive rates.

Our Expertise in Historical Appraisals

We have extensive experience interpreting historical market data using stringent appraisal standards not typically employed in mortgage appraisals. Our appraisers conduct thorough research of:

• Historical market conditions and trends at the effective appraisal date
• Comparable properties that sold during the appropriate time period
• Market fluctuations and economic conditions affecting property values
• IRS requirements for estate valuations and stepped-up basis calculations

Appraisal Types and IRS Requirements

Standard appraisal fees apply to date of death appraisals. It is important to note that desktop appraisals do not meet IRS requirements except for vacant land. For residential and improved properties, a full Consumer Appraisal or Standard Appraisal is necessary to satisfy IRS guidelines and obtain credibility with tax authorities.

Beyond Estate Appraisals

Our services extend beyond estate settlement to include appraisals needed for bankruptcy, litigation, and divorce proceedings. The same historical appraisal expertise we apply to date of death valuations serves many other legal and financial purposes.