Estate appraisal services
ProValue prepares residential estate appraisals for executors, attorneys, accountants, and families who need a clear, well-supported opinion of market value. Reports are prepared by Ian Ritter, a Certified Residential Appraiser licensed in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Estate work often requires more than a quick estimate. The report needs to be credible, documented, and understandable for people making important legal, tax, or settlement decisions.
Common estate appraisal needs
- Date-of-death valuations
- Estate settlement and probate support
- Retrospective appraisals
- Tax and IRS-related documentation
- Step-up in basis support for inherited property
- Family settlement and buyout decisions
Who uses the report?
Estate appraisal reports are commonly requested by executors, trustees, estate attorneys, CPAs, heirs, and families who need a documented opinion of market value for a specific residential property.
Estate appraisal process
- Confirm the property address, ownership interest, intended users, and required effective date.
- Inspect the property and document relevant physical characteristics and condition.
- Research comparable sales and market conditions appropriate to the effective date.
- Deliver a USPAP-compliant residential appraisal report with clear support for the value opinion.
Information helpful to provide
Helpful items include the property address, date of death or required valuation date, executor or attorney contact information, deed or estate documents if available, and any known major repairs or condition changes after the effective date.
What is an estate appraisal?
An estate appraisal is an independent opinion of market value prepared for estate settlement, probate, tax reporting, step-up in basis, or related family/legal needs.
Can the appraisal use a prior effective date?
Yes. Estate work often requires a retrospective effective date, such as the date of death. The report analyzes the market as of that date, not simply today's market.
Who typically orders this type of appraisal?
Executors, trustees, attorneys, CPAs, heirs, and families commonly order estate appraisals when a documented residential value opinion is needed.
Local coverage
ProValue serves Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Lancaster, and Berks Counties in Pennsylvania, plus New Castle County, Delaware.