Questions
Questions we hear from executors, attorneys and homeowners
Short answers. For anything about your own property, call and ask.
How long does an appraisal take?
It depends on the home, how soon the appraiser can get inside, and the date you need the value for. A value as of a past date takes longer than a value as of today. Tell us your deadline when you call and we will say what is realistic before you commit.
What does an appraisal cost?
For VA-loan appraisals, the VA publishes a program fee for San Diego County: $750 for a single-family home, effective May 1, 2026. That is a VA-loan fee, not our price for an estate, trust or divorce. We quote private fees by phone, after a few questions about the property and what the report is for. VA fee table (PDF).
What do you need from me?
The property address, what the appraisal is for, the valuation date you need, and your deadline. If you have them, add the Assessor's Parcel Number, records of additions or permits, and the name of the attorney or trustee involved. Tell us who can open the home.
Does anyone come to the home?
The appraiser inspects the property inside and out. Call and we will arrange access with whoever holds the keys, including an executor, a trustee or a family member.
Which areas do you cover?
Escondido, including Old Escondido, Rancho San Pasqual and the neighborhoods around Kit Carson Park, and the North County communities around it. Give us the address and we will confirm.
Can you value the home as of a past date?
Yes. A retrospective appraisal values the home as of a date you name, such as the date an owner passed away. Ask your attorney or tax adviser which date applies, and we will work from that date.
Does every estate or probate property need a formal appraisal?
Not always. Your attorney or the executor's advisers can tell you whether a formal appraisal is needed for your matter. If one is, call and we will quote it.
We are divorcing. What should we agree on before ordering?
Agree on the valuation date, who engages the appraiser, who receives the report, and how the fee is shared. Your attorney or mediator can help. An appraisal gives an opinion of value; it does not decide who keeps the house.
Do you give legal or tax advice?
No. We give an opinion of value. Your attorney or tax adviser decides how it is used.
How do I get started?
Call 442-248-3110. Tell us the address, the purpose and the deadline, and we will explain the next step and the fee.