East Bay Date of Death Appraiser › San Francisco Date of Death Appraisal › Stepped-Up Basis Appraisal
IRS guidance generally identifies date-of-death fair market value as the basis of inherited property, subject to exceptions and elections. The appraiser develops the real estate value for the requested effective date; a CPA or attorney determines the tax treatment, filing position, and whether a different valuation rule applies.
A home held for decades may have a large difference between the owner's original cost, its value at death, and its value when eventually sold. A supported historical appraisal creates a property-specific record instead of relying on a current estimate or broad citywide appreciation figure.
Later remodeling, legalization, additions, repairs, or deterioration should not automatically be carried back to the historical date. The analysis should identify the characteristics and condition that were relevant when the inherited property's value is being established.
A well-supported report preserves the effective date, property description, comparable evidence, adjustments, and reconciliation used to reach the value opinion. Retaining that record can be useful years later when the property is sold or when an adviser needs to review how the historical value was developed.
For probate, estate settlement, trust administration, IRS reporting, and stepped-up basis purposes in this area, see the main San Francisco date of death appraisal page or the broader James Valdez appraisal service areas.
Desktop retrospective appraisals for probate, estate settlement, trusts, stepped-up basis, and IRS reporting.