Common Questions About Real Estate Appraisals
Answers to the questions we hear most often from homeowners, families, CPAs, financial advisors, and estate professionals in Contra Costa and Alameda County.
What is a probate appraisal?
A probate appraisal is a certified opinion of a property's fair market value required during the California estate administration process. When real property is part of a decedent's estate going through probate court, a state-certified appraiser must determine its value for the court record, asset distribution, and tax purposes. Hudson Valuation Group provides probate appraisals throughout Contra Costa and Alameda County, formatted for estate attorneys and court review.
What is a date of death appraisal?
A date of death appraisal — also called a retrospective valuation — establishes the fair market value of real property as of the specific date a property owner passed. It is required for IRS Form 706 estate tax filings, stepped-up basis calculations, and estate settlement. The appraiser must reconstruct market conditions from that past date using historical comparable sales data. This type of appraisal is commonly requested by CPAs, financial advisors, and estate attorneys.
What is a divorce appraisal?
A divorce appraisal is an independent, certified opinion of a property's fair market value prepared for use in property settlement during a divorce or legal separation. It provides both parties with a clear, well-documented basis for settlement discussions and mediation. Our divorce appraisals are focused on settlement and mediation — not litigation or court proceedings.
Do you provide court testimony, depositions, or litigation support?
No. Hudson Valuation Group does not offer litigation support, expert witness testimony, depositions, or court appearances. All appraisals are prepared for informational, settlement, lending, and planning purposes. If your matter requires expert witness services or court-related support, you will need to engage an appraiser who offers those services.
Do you work with CPAs and financial advisors?
Yes — regularly. CPAs and tax professionals frequently refer clients to us for date of death appraisals, estate valuations, and stepped-up basis documentation. Financial advisors and wealth managers working with clients through estate distributions also rely on our reports. We understand the documentation standards required for tax purposes and communicate clearly throughout the process.
What areas do you serve?
We provide residential appraisals throughout Contra Costa County — including Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Concord, Lafayette, Alamo, Orinda, Brentwood, Antioch, Discovery Bay, Pittsburg, and Martinez — and throughout Alameda County including Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Fremont, Castro Valley, Berkeley, and Oakland. If you're unsure whether your property falls within our service area, contact us directly.
How long does an appraisal take?
Timeline depends on the type of appraisal and the complexity of the property. In most cases, we complete the inspection within a few days of engagement and deliver the written report within 5 to 10 business days. Rush timelines can often be accommodated — contact us to discuss your specific situation and deadline.
What is USPAP compliance?
USPAP stands for the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — the nationally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession. All appraisals prepared by Hudson Valuation Group are USPAP-compliant, meaning they follow established methodology for developing and reporting opinions of value. This is required for federally related transactions and is the standard expected by lenders, courts, and the IRS.
What is the difference between an appraisal and a broker price opinion (BPO)?
An appraisal is a certified opinion of value prepared by a state-licensed or certified appraiser following USPAP standards. A broker price opinion (BPO) is an informal estimate prepared by a real estate agent or broker — it is not prepared to USPAP standards and is typically not accepted for legal, tax, or lending purposes. For estate, divorce, PMI removal, or tax purposes, a certified appraisal is almost always required.
How do I get started?
Contact us through the form on our Request an Appraisal page or call 925-216-2427. We'll respond within one business day with scope, timeline, and fee information. You can also email us directly at intake@hudsonvaluationgroup.com.
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