Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in San Francisco & Marin County
RealVals is a Marin County based appraisal company that provides certified residential appraisals in San Francisco and Marin County for date of death, estate, trust, gift tax, divorce, tax appeal, pre-listing, and market value purposes.
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14+
Years of appraisal experience
3000+
Residential properties appraised
4.9
Rating from 29 Reviews
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 a San Francisco estate, see San Francisco estate tax appraiser.
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.
Your Appraiser: Austin Fernald
Austin Fernald is a California Certified Residential Appraiser based in San Rafael. Austin Fernald has appraised residential property in California full-time for 14 years. Austin Fernald has completed over 3,000 appraisal reports for estate attorneys, divorcing spouses, trustees, homeowners, and CPAs in San Francisco and Marin County.
A few things that matter:
✓ Austin Fernald personally performs every inspection, analysis, and report
✓ RealVals reports comply with USPAP and IRS appraisal guidelines
✓ RealVals delivers most reports within 4–5 business days after inspection
✓ Austin Fernald holds CA Certified Residential Appraiser license #AR3002942 and is insured
Trusted by Homeowners, Attorneys, and CPAs
RealVals holds a 4.9 rating across 29 reviews from homeowners, estate attorneys, trustees, and CPAs
When my father passed away, I found myself needing a date of death appraisal, a process that was completely new to me. Austin made what felt overwhelming much more manageable. He was responsive and thorough in all of his communications, answered my questions with patience, and was flexible on timing. As someone who lives in a different county, with the house in Marin, it was reassuring to have someone local who was easy to reach and very responsive.
Look no further, Austin is great! I needed his help with a date of death appraisal in Mill Valley. He responded quickly to my email request. We spoke by phone and the appraisal was set up that week. He arrived on time and performed a thorough inspection. He gave me the date the appraisal would be ready, only three business days. The appraisal arrived that morning. It was a thorough report with comps, pictures, and great explanations. I researched other appraisers, glad I went with Austin at Realvals.
Austin’s work is exceptional. Not only was Austin’s appraisal detailed and thorough, but Austin generously helped us with follow up questions well beyond the scope of his original work. We could not help be impressed with how well Austin knew our market, and yet his price was one of the most competitive bids we received. The signed appraisal came back quickly in fully digital form, including a fantastic level of supporting documentation. We highly recommend Austin from RealVals if you want a professional dedicated enough to go the extra mile when necessary. Our case required a little extra after the appraisal itself, and Austin didn’t blink an eye in seeing us through to getting us there.
Austin completed appraisals for our portfolio of over a dozen properties spanning the North Bay and East Bay. The properties include single family homes, condo's and multi-units. Very professional, great communication, and very prompt. Highly recommended.
Prompt communications, flexible scheduling even going on site on a saturday. Thorough report provided in a matter of days. Highly recommended!