Understanding Date-of-Death Appraisals in Agoura Hills When a loved one passes away, families in Agoura Hills often find themselves navigating not only emotional loss but also important legal and financial responsibilities. One such responsibility involves determining the value of real estate owned by the deceased at the time of their passing. This is where a Date-of-Death appraisal, also known as a retrospective appraisal, becomes essential.
A Date-of-Death appraisal is a professional real estate valuation that reflects the market value of a property as of the date an individual passed away. Unlike a typical real-time appraisal, this specialized report is retrospective—based on historical data, comparable sales, and local market trends at that specific point in time.
In the probate process, this appraisal is often required by:
The IRS (for estate tax purposes)
Attorneys and executors (for legal distribution of assets)
Family members and heirs (for equitable division of inherited property)
Agoura Hills, with its mix of luxury estates, gated communities, and equestrian properties, presents a unique real estate landscape. Home values can vary widely between neighborhoods such as Old Agoura, Morrison Ranch, and Oak Hills Estates. Because of this, accurate and defensible real estate valuations are critical in ensuring fair and legal asset distribution.
An experienced appraiser with local knowledge understands these neighborhood distinctions and how they affect historical property value.
You may need a Date-of-Death real estate appraisal in Agoura Hills if you are:
The executor or administrator of a will or trust
An estate attorney or CPA managing estate tax filings
A family member involved in property inheritance or asset distribution
Handling a trust transfer or property sale involving a deceased owner
Since 2005, Pacific Home Appraisers has completed over 5,000 assignments across Southern California. We are California Certified, court-compliant, and trusted by attorneys, CPAs, fiduciaries, and private families. Our team understands the emotional sensitivity of these situations and works with professionalism, confidentiality, and accuracy.
We specialize in retrospective valuations and probate-related reports, ensuring compliance with IRS and legal requirements. Our appraisers are highly familiar with the Agoura Hills market and provide well-supported, defensible appraisals that hold up under scrutiny.
Schedule the Inspection – We’ll coordinate with your timeline or legal deadlines.
Data Collection – We review comparable sales around the time of death, property features, and historical market conditions.
Final Report Delivery – Our certified appraisal report is delivered within 5–7 business days. Need it faster? We offer rush service within 48 hours (upon inspection and availability).
Ongoing Support – If needed, we can provide expert testimony or clarification for attorneys and tax professionals.
Q: Can I use a current appraisal instead of a Date-of-Death appraisal? A: No. A Date-of-Death appraisal is required to reflect the market value as of the exact date the individual passed. Using today’s value could result in incorrect tax reporting or asset division.
Q: What documentation do I need? A: Typically, you’ll need the death certificate, the property address, and contact details for the estate representative.
Q: Is the appraisal shared with the IRS? A: Yes, in most cases it is included with estate tax filings, and should comply with USPAP and IRS standards.
At Pacific Home Appraisers, we’re here to simplify this part of the probate process for Agoura Hills families. Let us provide the professional insight you need to move forward with confidence.
?? Call: 818-880-1466 ?? Visit: https://www.pacifichomeappraisers.com/Probate ?? Email: PacificHomeAppraisers@gmail.com
Also Offering: Divorce Appraisals • Estate Valuations • Expert Witness Testimony • Land Appraisals • Rent Surveys
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