RealVals is a residential real estate appraisal practice located in San Rafael, California. Austin Fernald, a California Certified Residential Appraiser (#AR3002942), personally performs every RealVals appraisal in San Francisco and Marin County. RealVals has completed more than 3,000 residential appraisals and holds a 4.9 rating across 29 reviews.
If you need a number that will hold up in front of an attorney, a CPA, the IRS, a court, or a buyer, this page explains how RealVals works and why clients in San Francisco and Marin choose them.
What You Get From a RealVals Appraisal
- One appraiser, start to finish. Austin Fernald inspects the property, selects the comparable sales, writes the report, and answers your questions afterward. There is no trainee, no associate, and no call center between you and the person who signed the report.
- A report built for its intended use. An appraisal for a divorce settlement, a Form 706, a tax appeal, or a listing decision each needs different documentation. RealVals writes each report for the reader who will scrutinize it, not from a lender template.
- Local comparable sales, not county averages. RealVals selects comparables at the neighborhood and building level: a Noe Valley Victorian against Noe Valley Victorians, a Sausalito hillside home against Sausalito hillside homes, a Russian Hill condo against Russian Hill condos.
- Fast, predictable turnaround. RealVals delivers most reports within 4 to 5 business days after inspection and quotes fees and timing within one business day.
- Transparent pricing. Starting fees are published on the pricing page. There are no surprise add-ons after the inspection.
Appraisal Services
RealVals performs residential appraisals in San Francisco and Marin County for:
- Market value and pre-listing decisions
- Divorce and community property division
- Property tax appeals to the San Francisco and Marin County Assessment Appeals Boards
- Date of death and stepped-up basis documentation
- Trust administration and estate tax returns
- Gift tax reporting
- Retrospective valuations for capital gains, litigation, and Proposition 19 transfers
RealVals appraises single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, 2 to 4 unit buildings, residential income property, and residential land. See the full Appraisal Services page.
RealVals Service Areas
RealVals is based in San Rafael and serves every San Francisco neighborhood and every Marin County city and town, from the Sunset and the Richmond to Tiburon, Mill Valley, Novato, and West Marin. See the San Francisco and Marin County pages for neighborhood and property-type detail.
What Clients Say
Austin at Realvals did a great job appraising our property. He responded quickly to a Yelp inquiry and provided a cost estimate right away, a price that was well below that of competitors. He's licensed and professional, and the final report was comprehensive and exactly what we were looking for.
Additionally, he's a really nice and considerate guy. We don't wear shoes in the house (read: Asian), and he removed his shoes before entering. I wasn't even going to ask, but he did it anyway. This may seem like a small thing to others, but this level of consideration and respect for a household says a lot about his character.
We got an appointment quickly and the turnaround time was fast. Really couldn't have imagined this happening in a better way. Thank you, Austin!
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 provided me with an excellent evaluation service. When everyone else I rang was too busy, Austin made time to come around that week to review the house. His report was thorough, professional and detailed. He also took the time to educate me on how price was evaluated, so I could understand the process better and the value of potential renovations. Simply a great guy! Highly recommended.
A big thank you to Austin at Realvals for his excellent service with retrospective date of death property appraisal. He is professional, effective and highly responsive even during the holiday season. I was most impressed with his market valuation expertise, flexibility and the speedy turnaround. The appraisal report is very well documented with comparable, pictures and detailed research. Austin’s appraisal website blogs are very helpful and highly educational. Likewise, the pricing disclosure is transparent and his quotes are most competitive. I look forward to working with Austin on future appraisals and will refer you again and again.
My experience with Austin couldn't have been better. He appraised a property for me at the last minute and shared a ton of insights on the overall market. This was incredibly useful as I entered a heated bidding competition because it helped me understand where an appraiser would come in, and what extra cash might be required up front to cover the discrepancy. This is an individual you want on your team.
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.
About Austin Fernald
Austin Fernald is the owner and sole appraiser at RealVals. Austin Fernald has appraised residential real estate in California full-time for 14 years and holds California Certified Residential Appraiser license #AR3002942, issued by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers.
Austin grew up in a family involved in residential investment and appraisal work and began in real estate early, which shaped a practical, data-first approach to valuation. He works directly with homeowners, executors, trustees, family law and estate attorneys, and CPAs, and his reports are written to be read by all of them.
How to Order an Appraisal
Send the property address and the purpose of the appraisal through the [free quote form], or contact Austin directly. RealVals returns a fee quote and turnaround time within one business day. Attorneys and CPAs may order on a client’s behalf.
📱 Phone/Text: 415-233-6925
📧 Email: [email protected]
Request a Free Appraisal Quote
Send the property address and the purpose of the appraisal. RealVals provides a fee quote and turnaround time within one business day.