Date of Death

A home appraisal is an unbiased assessment of a property's market value, typically conducted by a licensed appraiser, to assist in buying, selling, or refinancing decisions. 

An appraisal provides an unbiased, professional opinion of your property’s market value, which is often required for lending, pricing, legal matters, or financial decisions.

The appraisal process begins with an appraiser reviewing property information and the purpose of the appraisal. They then schedule an inspection to evaluate the home’s condition, size, layout, upgrades, and any unique features. The appraiser researches recent comparable sales and analyzes market trends to determine value. Finally, they compile their findings into a detailed written report that explains how the value was reached, providing an objective and professional opinion of the property’s market worth.

Home Point Appraisal services all Southern California, however, specializes throughout Los Angeles County.

Home Point Appraisal appraises all types of residential properties, including single-family homes, multi-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, manufactured, and residential vacant land.

Home Point Appraisal provides valuations for all residential property types—single-family homes, condos, land, 2–4 unit income properties, and larger apartment buildings. We complete appraisals for all purposes, including date-of-death, IRS step-up basis, divorce, probate, tax, lending, and private use. See our full list of services here.

A retrospective (date-of-death) appraisal determines a property’s market value as of a specific past date—most commonly the owner’s date of death—for estate settlement, IRS step-up basis, and other legal or tax purposes. For more information on date of death appraisals click here.

An appraiser examines the overall condition, quality, and functionality of the property—both interior and exterior. This includes assessing the home’s size, layout, upgrades, renovations, and any deferred maintenance. They also consider location factors, lot size, view, and any external influences such as noise or commercial proximity. Finally, the appraiser analyzes recent comparable sales and market trends to determine how the property compares and what its supported market value should be.

It’s helpful to provide the appraiser with any information that may affect value, such as a list of recent upgrades, permits, plans, or major improvements. If applicable, offer HOA details, rental income data, or unique property features the appraiser may not notice during the inspection. You may also share recent comparable sales you believe are relevant. Supplying clear access to all rooms and areas of the property ensures a smooth and accurate appraisal process.

The strongest value drivers are location, overall condition, size and livable square footage, layout, quality of upgrades, and lot characteristics. Market conditions, such as supply, demand, and recent comparable sales also play a major role. Additional influences include views, ADUs or extra units, parking, energy-efficient features, and any functional or external issues that may affect desirability.

An appraiser does not consider personal opinions, emotional attachments, or the cost of the homeowner’s improvements if they do not increase market value. Factors such as the homeowner’s mortgage balance, the price they paid, or how much they owe on the property are also irrelevant. Additionally, personal property like furniture, decorations, or appliances that are not part of the real estate generally do not affect the appraisal.

During an appraisal, you should provide the appraiser with information on any upgrades, improvements, and permits, and make sure all areas of the property are accessible, including attics, basements, and garages. Keeping the property clean and presentable and answering questions politely and accurately will help ensure a smooth process. You should not pressure the appraiser to reach a specific value, provide misleading or incomplete information, obstruct access to any part of the property, or expect a verbal value before the report is completed.

If your appraisal comes in lower than expected, first review the report carefully to understand how the value was determined. Check for errors, omitted features, or overlooked comparable sales. You can discuss your concerns with your lender or appraiser, but avoid pressuring them for a higher value. At Home Point Appraisal, we also provide appraisal appeal and dispute services to help ensure the valuation accurately reflects your property’s market value.

Yes, you can challenge or dispute an appraisal if you believe it does not accurately reflect your property’s value. This typically involves reviewing the report for errors, providing additional information, or submitting overlooked comparable sales. Home Point Appraisal offers appraisal appeal and dispute services to guide you through the process and help ensure your property is fairly and accurately valued.

Home valuation websites can provide a rough estimate, but they are often inaccurate, especially in areas with high location sensitivities. These sites do not know the actual condition of the home or the specific amenities it offers. They rely on automated models and public data, which cannot capture the nuances that affect value. An appraiser is far more accurate because they physically inspect the property, evaluate its condition, and consider intangible factors that influence what a buyer would actually pay. This human perspective allows appraisers to provide a value that truly reflects the market.

Yes, you can request an appraisal for a property you are considering buying or simply evaluating, but the type of appraisal depends on access. A full appraisal requires an on-site inspection to accurately assess the property’s condition, size, and features. If an on-site inspection is not possible, a desktop appraisal can be performed using public records, photos, and market data, though it may be less precise than a full inspection. This allows you to get a professional value estimate even if you do not yet own the property.

Yes, you can be present during the home appraisal, and many homeowners find it helpful. Being there allows you to point out upgrades, improvements, or unique features that the appraiser might not notice otherwise. However, it is important to let the appraiser conduct the inspection independently and avoid pressuring them for a specific value. Your presence should be informative, not persuasive.

A home appraisal is typically considered valid for about six months. After that, market conditions, neighborhood changes, or property improvements may affect the value, so lenders or other parties may request an updated appraisal to ensure it reflects current market conditions.

The value of your property is determined by several factors, including its location, size, condition, and recent sales of comparable properties in the area.

The on-site appraisal inspection can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes while the actual turnaround for the report can take around 2 to 5 business days after the inspection. The length of time for both on-site inspection and report turnaround for a real estate appraisal can vary depending on several factors such as size and complexity of the property, availability of comparable sales, and workload of the appraiser.

In Los Angeles as of 2025, the cost of a home appraisal generally ranges from $425 to $700 for a standard single-family home. The price can vary based on factors such as the size of the property, its location, and the type of appraisal required (e.g., for a mortgage, refinancing, or a more specialized appraisal). Larger or more complex properties, such as luxury homes or multi-unit buildings, may cost more, sometimes exceeding $1,000. Additionally, factors like the appraiser's experience and demand in the area can also influence the cost.

While homes do not always appraise at the purchase price, it is common for the appraisal value to match the purchase price. This is because the purchase price is often based on the current market value of the home, which is the price that a buyer is willing to pay for the property and a seller is willing to accept.

When an appraiser evaluates a property, they consider factors such as the condition and features of the home, as well as comparable sales in the area. If the home was priced correctly by the seller and the buyer is willing to pay that price, it's likely that the appraised value will match the purchase price.

Additionally, lenders will typically only lend up to the appraised value of the property, which provides an incentive for buyers to ensure that the purchase price is in line with the appraised value. If the purchase price is significantly higher than the appraised value, it may be difficult for the buyer to secure financing.

However, there are instances where a home may not appraise at the purchase price, such as if the home is in poor condition, there are few comparable sales in the area, or if the real estate market is experiencing a downturn. In these cases, the buyer and seller may need to renegotiate the purchase price or the buyer may need to come up with additional funds to cover the difference between the purchase price and the appraised value.

The typical party who pays for a home appraisal is the individual or entity who is obtaining the appraisal. In the case of a home purchase, this is typically the buyer. However, the payment for the appraisal may be shared between the buyer and the seller in some cases, or it may be paid entirely by the seller or the buyer, depending on the terms of the sale agreement.

In a mortgage refinance scenario, the borrower is usually responsible for paying for the appraisal. In some cases, the lender may require that the appraisal be conducted by one of their approved appraisers, and the cost of the appraisal may be included in the closing costs.

Regardless of who pays for the appraisal, it is important to understand that the appraisal is an impartial assessment of the property's value, and the appraiser's goal is to provide an unbiased estimate of the property's value based on the most recent market data and other relevant factors. The payment for the appraisal does not influence the appraiser's findings or the estimate of the property's value.

In a mortgage-related homeappraisal, appraisers typically do not disclose the estimated value of aproperty directly to the borrower even if the borrower was the one who paid for the appraisal. This is due to a few reasons:

1) Independence and impartiality
Appraisers are expected to maintain independence and impartiality in their appraisals, and disclosing the estimated value directly to the borrowers could be seen as compromising their objectivity.

2) Confidentiality
Appraisers are also bound by confidentiality agreements and are expected to maintain the confidentiality of their findings. Disclosing the estimated value directly to the borrowers could compromise the confidentiality of the appraisal.

3) Regulations
In most cases, regulations prohibit appraisers from disclosing the estimated value directly to the borrowers. In the United States, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) sets standards for the appraisal profession and requires appraisers to maintain impartiality, objectivity, and confidentiality that prohibit appraisers from disclosing the value of the property to anyone other than the "client" or other authorized parties.

In a mortage-related appraisal, the lender is most often defined as the "client" and intended user of the report, therefore, the appraiser must only disclose details of the report to the Lender unless otherwise authorized. In most cases, the borrower is provided information about the appraisal or a copy of the appraisal report from the lender but never directly from the appraiser.

An appraisal determines the market value of a property, taking into account location, size, condition, upgrades, and comparable sales. A home inspection, on the other hand, focuses on evaluating the physical condition of the home, such as the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and safety issues. While an appraiser may note visible condition issues that affect value, they do not provide the same detailed assessment of repairs or maintenance that a home inspector does.

Appraisals are most commonly ordered by lenders to determine the fair market value of a property before approving a mortgage. However, homeowners, buyers, attorneys, accountants, or investors may also request an appraisal for purposes such as refinancing, estate planning, divorce, tax reporting, or investment analysis. Essentially, anyone who needs an objective, professional valuation of a property can order an appraisal.

An appraiser selects comparable sales, or “comps,” by looking at recently sold properties that are similar to the subject property in location, size, age, condition, and features. They prioritize sales that are close in proximity and time to reflect current market conditions. Adjustments may be made for differences in amenities, lot size, or other factors to ensure the comparables accurately support the subject property’s market value.

Appraisers typically use three main methods to determine a property’s value. The sales comparison approach compares the property to recently sold similar homes in the area. The cost approach estimates what it would cost to replace the property, minus depreciation. The income approach is usedfor rental or investment properties and calculates value based on expected income and market rates. Appraisers select the method or combination of methods that best reflects the property type and purpose of the appraisal.

Yes, in most states, appraisers must be licensed or certified to perform appraisals for federally related transactions. Licensing ensures the appraiser meets education, experience, and ethical standards and adheres to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Requirements vary by state and by the type of appraisal being performed.

No, appraisers are generally prohibited from sharing the results of an appraisal with anyone other than the client who ordered the appraisal, unless legally required. This confidentiality protects the integrity of the appraisal, ensures compliance with professional and ethical standards, and prevents misuse of the information by third parties.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can increase a property’s appraised value because it adds livable space and potential rental income. The appraiser will consider the size, quality, and functionality of the ADU, as well as how it compares to other similar properties in the area. Proper permits and legal compliance are important, as unpermitted units may have little or no positive impact on value.