Date of death
Every estate holding real property needs one figure.
The value on the date of death. It sets the cost basis the heirs will carry for as long as they hold the property.
Start a quoteEstablishing What An Estate Was Worth The Day It Passed On
A retrospective appraisal written to the date of death, supporting the cost basis the estate carries forward. Prepared throughout San Diego County since 1986 by a Certified General Appraiser holding both California licenses, active.
Continuous practice in California real estate beginning in June of that year.
Federal and California licensing, covering any property at any value.
Four decades of local sales knowledge behind every conclusion of value.
Certified General Appraiser and California Real Estate Broker, both current.
A Figure That Has To Hold Up Years Later
When a property owner passes away, the value of the real estate on that date becomes the cost basis the estate and its heirs carry forward. It determines what is owed when the property is eventually sold — sometimes decades later.
For professionalsWho this serves
Most enquiries arrive from an heir who was handed a name by their accountant.
- Executors and trustees
- Certified public accountants
- Heirs and beneficiaries
- Estate planning attorneys
- Enrolled agents and tax preparers
Estate preparation companies handling probate at volume are welcome too.
The appraiser
Lance J. Theriault
Lance began appraising real estate in June of 1986 and has held a Certified General Appraiser license since 1994 — a federal and State of California license covering all real estate appraisals regardless of price or complexity. Forty years of work in this market sits behind every report he signs.
- Certified General Appraiser, California — active
- California Real Estate Broker — active
- B.S. Finance, San Diego State University, 1991
- Appraising continuously since June 1986
What The Report Contains
Comparable sales as of the date of death, the adjustments applied, and the reasoning behind the conclusion of value.
Signed, dated, supported
A written report your tax professional can rely on without having to call us to explain it.
Request a quoteThe Process
We do not quote a fee before we know what the property is. Every quote follows research on the actual address.
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IThe address
Your name, your contact details, and the address of each property to be valued.
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IIA written fee
We research the property first, then quote a flat fee and a turnaround time.
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IIIInspection and analysis
We view the property and analyse comparable sales as of the date of death.
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IVThe signed report
Delivered to you and, if you ask, to your tax professional directly.
What Families And Their Advisors Say
Delete this whole section rather than publishing placeholder quotes.
Questions We Are Asked First
Ask us directlyWhy can we not use an online estimate?
An automated estimate reflects today's market and shows no reasoning. A cost basis has to be tied to a specific past date and supported by comparable sales, by an appraiser who signs it.
Who is supposed to order it?
The heir, executor or trustee — not the accountant. Advisors give the family a name; the family engages the appraiser directly, and the estate pays the fee.
What if the date of death was years ago?
That is ordinary work. A retrospective appraisal uses sales data available as of that date, which is why the effective date and the inspection date are stated separately.
Request a quote
Tell Us The Property
There is no charge for the quote and no obligation. If you are working with a CPA or attorney, note their name and we will copy them on the report.
- The quote is free and carries no obligation
- A flat fee in writing, with the delivery date
- Researched on the actual address, never quoted blind
- Copied to your accountant or attorney on request