Date-of-Death Appraisal — San Diego, California

Certified desktop appraisals for estate settlement, IRS filings, and stepped-up cost basis. Serving San Diego and all of San Diego County.

When You Need a Date-of-Death Appraisal in San Diego

A date-of-death appraisal determines the fair market value of real property as of the date a property owner passed away. If you're handling an estate that includes property in San Diego, you may need this appraisal for resolving trust distributions among beneficiaries, establishing the stepped-up cost basis for inherited property, filing IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax Return), or handling estate tax disputes with the IRS.

Our desktop appraisal service provides a USPAP-compliant valuation prepared by a California Certified Residential Appraiser — accepted by the IRS, probate courts, and estate attorneys statewide.

San Diego Real Estate Market Overview

The San Diego real estate market currently shows a median home value of approximately $939,725, with prices trending up 4.2% year-over-year. The average price per square foot in the area is around $593, and homes are spending an average of 40 days on market before going under contract. The housing stock in San Diego consists primarily of condominiums, townhomes, and multi-family residences.

These market dynamics directly affect date-of-death valuations. Whether the date of death was recent or years ago, understanding San Diego's market conditions at that specific point in time is critical to establishing an accurate and defensible value.

Why Desktop Appraisals Work Well in San Diego

With over 550,000 housing units, San Diego is one of the largest residential markets in San Diego County, giving appraisers a deep pool of comparable sales data.

The San Diego market sees consistent transaction activity year-round, ensuring comparable sales data stays current for accurate appraisals.

The vibrant downtown of San Diego creates a dense market with many recent transactions, ideal for desktop appraisal methodology.

Ready to Order?

Get a certified date-of-death appraisal for your San Diego property. Flat-rate pricing, fast turnaround, no property visit required.

Order Your Appraisal

Our Desktop Appraisal Process

1. Submit Your Order

Provide the property address, date of death, and your contact information through our online order form.

2. Research & Analysis

We analyze MLS records, public data, and market trends specific to San Diego to identify the best comparable sales as of the date of death.

3. Report Delivery

Receive your completed appraisal report, typically within 3–5 business days. The report meets USPAP standards and is accepted for IRS and legal purposes.

Learn more about how our process works or review our transparent pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions — San Diego

Our desktop date-of-death appraisals for properties in San Diego start at a flat rate. The exact fee depends on property complexity and the type of report needed. Visit our pricing page for current rates.

Most desktop appraisals for San Diego properties are completed within 3-5 business days from the date we receive your order. Rush delivery is available for time-sensitive estate matters.

No. Our desktop appraisal methodology uses MLS data, public records, aerial imagery, and market analysis to determine the property's fair market value as of the date of death — no physical inspection required. This is accepted by the IRS and courts for estate purposes.

We analyze recent closed sales from the MLS serving San Diego County, public records, and market databases. With approximately 550,000 housing units in San Diego, there is typically strong comparable data available for accurate valuation.

Yes. Desktop appraisals prepared by a certified appraiser following USPAP standards are accepted by the IRS for estate tax filings, stepped-up basis documentation, and Form 706 submissions.

We regularly complete retrospective appraisals for properties in San Diego with dates of death going back many years. Historical MLS data and public records allow us to establish fair market value for past dates with confidence.

Serving All of San Diego County

In addition to San Diego, we provide date-of-death appraisals throughout San Diego County and across California. Whether the property is a single-family home, condominium, or multi-unit residence, our certified appraiser can help.

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