Date of Death appraisal Services in Citrus Heights

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We Understand Every Situation Can Be Unique

We know that not every property is perfectly maintained. Sometimes, loved ones may have struggled with upkeep or hoarding, or the home may have years of deferred maintenance. At Sactown Appraisals, we approach every home with compassion and without judgment.

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Citrus Heights Date of Death Home Appraisal

When a loved one passes, settling their estate can feel overwhelming. One important step in that process is determining the accurate value of any real estate they owned. This valuation is necessary for estate settlement, inheritance planning, and tax reporting. Sactown Appraisals provides professional Date of Death (DOD) appraisals in Citrus Heights and surrounding communities. Our reports are IRS-compliant, defensible, and delivered with compassion and understanding — because we know this process often comes at an emotional time.

Why You Need a Date of Death Appraisal

A Date of Death appraisal determines the Citrus Heights Fair Market Value (FMV) of a property as of the date the property owner passed away. It’s a retrospective appraisal, meaning we establish what the property was worth on a past date, not what it’s worth today.

Estate tax filings

In California, while there is no state-level estate tax, accurate appraisals are still essential for documentation, probate filings, and future capital gains considerations.

Inheritance planning

When real estate is passed down to heirs, an accurate valuation is essential for inheritance and tax planning. One of the primary goals of this process is to establish a “stepped-up basis” for the inherited property

Fair estate distribution

When multiple beneficiaries inherit an estate, it’s essential that the property and assets are divided fairly and accurately. Attorneys, executors, and accountants rely on these appraisals.

Call Today! 916.743.5219

Serving Citrus Heights and Nearby Areas!

Expert real estate appraisal services in Citrus Heights, CA, with knowledge of local neighborhoods like Sunrise Ranch, Sylvan Meadows, Greenback Woods, and Mariposa Grove. I offer accurate, reliable valuations backed by experience and familiarity with key areas such as Rusch Park, Sunrise Marketplace, and Arcade Creek Park Preserve.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Understanding the Stepped-Up Basis for Inherited Homes in Citrus Heights

The IRS has published an excellent page answering common questions.
Frequently Asked IRS Questions on Estate Taxes

When you inherit a home in the IRS allows something called a stepped-up basis—a rule that resets the property’s tax basis to its fair market value (FMV) as of the date of the original owner’s death. While this rule can significantly reduce taxes on past appreciation, you may still owe capital gains tax if the home’s value increases after you inherit it and you later decide to sell.

Example:
Your parents bought their home for $75,000 years ago. When they pass away, the home’s fair market value at the date of death is appraised at $450,000. That $450,000 becomes your stepped-up basis—the value is your starting point for calculating capital gains when you decide to sell the home later.

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Pay No Capital Gains Tax

If you sell the home away for $450,000 or less, you owe no capital gains tax, because the sale price matches the stepped-up value.

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When You Owe Taxes

However, if you keep the home for a few years and later sell it for $550,000, you’ll owe capital gains tax on the $100,000 increase in value since inheritance.

Over 20 Years of Appraisal Experience

Properties Appraised and Counting

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Market Value Expert

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5 Over 85 Reviews

Dave Allard 2 days ago

Bart was great. Called on a Monday and was able to get a date of death appraisal done on Thursday for my parents home in Sacramento who recently passed. He was able to get all the paperwork for appraisal by Thursday evening. Very fast and efficient. He is a very nice man and I would recommend to anyone who needs a professional appraisal done in a timely manner. Thanks Bart!

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Julia McGinnis 2 days ago

I found him off Apple Maps and he was very quick at responding and coming out for an appraisal. Professional and nice.

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Tarah Pahlavan 2 weeks ago

BART was amazing at understanding the intricacies of appraising in an association and coming up with a supportable appraised value!
He was open to discussing with the listing agent and understanding how she had come up with the price. I strongly recommend Bart to anyone looking for a fair, competent valuation!!!
Tarah Pahlavsn

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Andrea Trujillo 3 weeks ago

Bart completed a retrospective appraisal for my mom’s house after she passed, and the entire process was incredibly smooth. I filled out the form, he followed up the same day with a few questions, and within days the appraisal was finished. He was efficient, professional, and easy to work with. I highly recommend him!

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Diane Sindt 1 month ago

I am a Real Estate Broker and I needed an appraisal done in a quick turnaround. The appraisal was done professionally and on time. Thank you for doing a great job for the home in Sacramento.

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Valerie Dahl 1 month ago

Very pleased with Bart’s services. I was able to schedule quickly and get an appointment within a few days that was at a time that worked for me. The price was very competitive. Appraisal came in by the next morning-amazing! He was able to work with our gifting and tax purpose situation and we were happy with the results. It felt accurate given what we’ve been seeing in our neighborhood. No frills or extra drama, and he was very easy-going and easy to talk to. He didn’t make me feel uncomfortable with the messy parts of my house, either- big plus! The process was quick and simple….great change of pace from so many more complicated chores lately. So nice to get this off my plate. Would recommend.

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Why Citrus Heights Residents Trust Sactown Appraisals

We specialized DOD estate settlement appraisals tailored for the Citrus Heights area.

Accurate, IRS-compliant valuations

Defensible reports for attorneys and tax authorities

Timely, reliable service for executors and heirs

Knowledge of Citrus Heights market trends

Compliance with IRS real estate valuation regulations

Clear, understandable reports for executors, attorneys, and heirs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the appraisal IRS-compliant?

Yes. Our reports meet all IRS Real Property Valuation Guidelines

What documents do I need to get started?

Tpically the property address, the date of death, access information, and any known improvements. We handle the rest, including all market research and property verification.

Will the IRS accept a Zillow estimate instead of an appraisal?

No. The IRS requires a credible, defensible appraisal performed by a licensed real estate appraiser—not an automated online estimate.

Do you provide both Date of Death and Alternate Valuation Date appraisals?

Yes. For IRS Form 706, we can complete both the Date of Death valuation and the six-month Alternate Valuation Date if requested.

What if the property was in poor or unusual condition at the time of death?

We research the home’s condition on the date of passing using photos, MLS history, interviews, and inspection findings to ensure the valuation reflects its true market condition at that time.