Appraisal Services
Estate and Date-of-Death Appraisals in Charleston
Settling an estate usually requires establishing what real property was worth on a specific date — most often the owner's date of death. Minor Appraisals prepares retrospective and current-value estate appraisals throughout the Charleston area, documented to the level of support that attorneys, executors, CPAs and the IRS expect.
A date-of-death appraisal values the property as of a past effective date using sales and market conditions from that time, not today's market. Because the Charleston market has moved quickly in recent years, the difference between a past effective date and a current one can be substantial — and getting it right matters for step-up in basis, estate tax filings and equitable distribution among heirs.
Who commonly needs this
- Executors and personal representatives settling an estate
- Estate and probate attorneys
- CPAs and tax advisors preparing estate or inheritance filings
- Trustees administering property held in trust
- Heirs who need a documented basis for an inherited property
When an appraisal helps
- A family member has passed and the estate includes Charleston-area real estate
- The IRS or a state filing requires a supported value as of the date of death
- Heirs are deciding whether to sell, rent or keep an inherited property
- A trust requires periodic or event-driven valuations
- The property's stepped-up basis needs documentation for a future sale
Charleston-area experience
Estate work in the Lowcountry often involves long-held family property — a Mount Pleasant home purchased decades ago, an inherited house on James Island, or a family beach property on one of the islands. These assignments frequently require researching a market from years past and accounting for property condition as of the effective date, both of which depend on strong local records and familiarity with how Charleston neighborhoods have changed over time.
Frequently asked questions
Can you appraise a property as of a date in the past?
Yes. A retrospective appraisal uses sales, listings and market conditions from the required effective date. This is standard practice for date-of-death valuations and is fully consistent with professional appraisal standards.
What if the property has already been sold or renovated?
An appraisal can still be developed for the earlier effective date. We reconstruct the property's condition as of that date from records, photographs, MLS history and information from people familiar with the property.
Do you work directly with attorneys and CPAs?
Frequently. We're happy to coordinate directly with the estate's attorney or accountant, and reports are prepared with those professional users in mind.
Related services
Pre-Listing Appraisals
An independent opinion of market value before you list, so pricing decisions rest on data rather than guesswork.
Private Sale & Cash-Purchase Appraisals
Independent value for off-market transactions — sales between family members, neighbors or investors, and cash purchases with no lender involved.
Retrospective Appraisals
Supported opinions of value as of a past date — for estate matters, tax questions, insurance claims and other look-back situations.
Need an Independent Opinion of Value?
Tell us about the property and the intended use of the appraisal. We will review the assignment and contact you with availability, pricing and next steps.