Estate and Date-of-Death Appraisals in Connecticut and Florida
Clear, USPAP-compliant home values for executors, estate attorneys, CPAs, and families settling an estate.
From First Call to Final Report
A simple process built around executors and their attorneys.
Tell Us the Date
Share the address and the date of death. We confirm the effective date your attorney or CPA needs.
We Visit the Home
We inspect and photograph the home, even if it has been emptied or updated since.
We Study Past Sales
We research sales that closed around the date of death, not just today's market.
You Get the Report
A USPAP-compliant report your attorney, CPA, and family can all follow.
What Is a Date-of-Death Appraisal?
A date-of-death appraisal tells you what a home was worth on the day the owner passed away. It's a type of retrospective appraisal. That means the appraiser visits the home today but values it as of an earlier date, using sales that happened around that time.
Executors usually need this value to complete the estate inventory, support any estate tax filing, and set the starting value for heirs. When an heir later sells an inherited home, that date-of-death value usually becomes their cost basis for capital gains. A well-supported number now can prevent questions later. Your CPA or estate attorney can tell you exactly how it applies to you.
When You Might Need One
- Probate. The court or your attorney needs a value for the home.
- Estate tax returns. Larger estates may need a qualified appraisal to back up the value reported.
- Selling an inherited home. Heirs want the starting value before they list or decide to keep it.
- Dividing property between heirs. A neutral value helps one sibling buy out another fairly.
- Trusts and planning. A current appraisal helps when moving a home into a trust or gifting it.
Connecticut and Florida Estates
We work with executors and families in both states, including estates with a home in Connecticut and a second home in Florida. Connecticut estate homes are often older colonials, capes, and multi-family homes. In Florida we see more condos, 55+ communities, and homes in flood zones. We know both markets and can appraise both homes for the same estate.
What to Have Ready
- The date of death and the property address
- Contact info for the executor and estate attorney
- A way into the home for the visit
- Any known updates or repairs, with rough dates
- HOA or condo association details, if any
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you value the home if it has already been sold or cleaned out?
Yes. We can still complete a retrospective appraisal using records, photos, what we know about the home, and sales from the right time period.
How long does it take?
The visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The report is typically ready within a few business days.
Do you appraise jewelry, cars, or investments?
No. We appraise residential real estate only. Other assets in the estate need a different specialist.
How much does an estate appraisal cost?
It depends on the home and the assignment. We give you a clear quote before any work starts.
Meet the Appraisers
A mother and daughter team carrying on three generations of appraisal experience.
Catherine Hall
Certified Residential Appraiser, Owner | NY, CT, FL LicensedCatherine began her appraisal career in 1993, working alongside her mother, Joan Davies. Today she owns Heritage Valuation Group, and her USPAP-compliant reports are relied on by homeowners, attorneys, lenders, and the IRS.
Madeline Hall
Certified Residential Appraiser | CT LicensedMadeline represents the next generation of the family business. She pairs modern market insight with a detail-oriented approach, so every report is thorough, accurate, and easy to understand.
Need a date-of-death value for an estate?
Serving homeowners, attorneys, and lenders across Connecticut and Florida.