Date of Death & Estate Appraisals in the San Francisco Bay Area
Certified residential appraisal services for date of death, stepped-up basis, estate, trust, and IRS-related needs throughout Marin, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area.
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Your Appraiser: Austin Fernald
I’m a certified residential appraiser based in San Rafael. I’ve spent the last 14 years doing property valuations full-time with a focus on date of death and estate work.
When someone passes away, the IRS requires a professional appraisal of their real property as of the date of death. It’s one of many things families and executors have to deal with during an already difficult time. My job is to make this part easy. I handle the inspection, the research, and the report. You get a clear, well-documented appraisal that your attorney, CPA, or the IRS can rely on.
A few things that matter:
✓ I do this work personally. You’re not handed off to a trainee or associate
✓ Reports are IRS and USPAP-compliant, built for legal and tax review
✓ Most reports are delivered within 4–5 business days after inspection
✓ CA Certified Residential Appraiser #AR3002942, insured, and local to the Bay Area (Marin, SF, Sonoma)
✓ Over 2,500 residential appraisals completed
What I Can Help With
For estates requiring a property valuation as of the date of death. Needed for IRS reporting, step-up in basis, and estate tax filings.
For executors, trustees, and attorneys managing probate or trust administration. Clear documentation for court and beneficiary review.
When you need an opinion of value as of a prior date, for estate planning, gifting, capital gains, or legal matters.
For property gifted during your lifetime. An IRS-compliant valuation documenting fair market value for gift tax reporting.
A current-date valuation for homeowners, buyers, or anyone who needs to know what a property is worth today.
An independent opinion of value before you list your home. Helps set the right asking price and avoid surprises.
Not sure which type of appraisal you need? Request a free quote and I will point you in the right direction.
Get a Free QuoteTrusted by Families and Professionals
I’ve worked with families, attorneys, and CPAs across the Bay Area. Here’s what they have to say.
Date of Death Appraisal FAQs
When should a date of death appraisal be done?
As early in estate administration as practical, ideally within the first few months after the death. There is no legal deadline for the appraisal itself, but the deadlines it supports come quickly, including the nine month federal estate tax return. Ordering early also means fresher comparable sales and a more defensible report. Read more about when a date of death appraisal should be done.
How much does a date of death appraisal cost?
Most single-family date of death appraisals cost about the same as a standard residential appraisal, typically a few hundred dollars, with higher fees for complex or multi-unit properties. The fee is usually a deductible estate administration expense, and it is small next to the capital gains tax a documented stepped-up basis can save. See the full guide to date of death appraisal costs in California.
Who can do a date of death appraisal?
A real estate appraiser licensed or certified in the state where the property is located, following USPAP standards for retrospective valuations. An agent’s market analysis or an online estimate is not an appraisal and generally will not satisfy the IRS, courts, or attorneys. Learn more about who can perform a date of death appraisal.
Does a date of death appraisal affect my property taxes?
No. California property taxes are set by your county assessor under Proposition 13, not by a private appraisal. What can trigger reassessment is the ownership change caused by the death itself, subject to exclusions such as spousal transfers and Proposition 19 parent to child rules. Details here: date of death appraisals and California property taxes.
