Estate & probate
Cost basis and date-of-value appraisals for heirs, executors, and attorneys settling an estate in Maryland or DC.
Maryland-certified Appraiser
Estate & probate · Maryland & DC
Spending $500
on an appraisal might
save you $10,000
When you inherit a home, the house is still valued at what it was originally purchased for. To establish what it’s actually worth now, you can either get an appraisal—or let the State decide. An inaccurate or outdated assessment of the property value might leave you owing thousands more in taxes when the property sells.
Get it done. Every day you wait could end up costing you.
Feeling overwhelmed with a mountain of paperwork? Let me help.
Most people who call me are families in the middle of probate or estate proceedings— often not local, staring at a mountain of paperwork, just wanting someone trustworthy to handle the appraisal.
I’m John—a Maryland-certified appraiser. When you call, you get me. I’ll listen, explain what you need in plain language, and get you a clear, defensible report. I’m not here to sell you anything extra— I’m here to problem-solve.
Here’s the trouble
Skipping an appraisal could cost you $$
Say the home was bought decades ago for a fraction of today’s value. Without a proper appraisal, the cost basis may not reflect what the property was actually worth when it passed to the heirs. Sell later, and you may pay taxes on a bigger gain than you should have.
I’ve seen families spend a few hundred on an appraisal and avoid thousands in unnecessary taxes. One family nearly paid about $10,000 they didn’t need to—because they waited and almost skipped the appraisal altogether.
Is it too late?
Often, no. A retrospective appraisal values the property as of a past date— which is exactly what many estate and probate situations need. That’s a large part of what I do, and I specialize in getting it right.
Why people call me
- Maryland-certified Appraiser State certified since 1992. 35+ years in Maryland and DC—estate, retrospective, and residential.
- You talk to John No online order form. No call center. Quick, friendly, professional—start to finish.
- Estate & retrospective specialty Date-of-value appraisals for probate and estate proceedings. Built for attorneys and families.
- VA & FHA appraiser Also available when veterans, lenders, or agents need a residential appraisal done right.
- Expert witness I’ve been called on multiple occasions as an expert witness real estate appraiser.
What I do
Residential real estate appraisals—not commercial.
Retrospective
Value as of a past date—common in estate work. (Your attorney may ask for a date-of-value or past valuation date; I know what they mean.)
Conventional residential
Homes and waterfront properties when you need a solid, independent opinion of value.
VA & FHA
Appraisals for VA and FHA lending when that’s what your situation requires.
Litigation support
Expert witness and reports when the number has to hold up in court.
What it usually costs
Most residential and estate appraisals run in the $450–$750 range— waterfront and complex assignments toward the higher end. Average is often around $525. The fee depends on the complexity of the assignment. Call me and I’ll give you a straight answer for your property.
Where I work
Based in Deale. Serving Anne Arundel County, greater Maryland, and Washington, DC. Many clients live out of town—I’m used to that.
Better call John
Tell me what’s going on. We’ll figure out if you need an appraisal, what it’ll take, and how soon I can help. No pressure—just a conversation.
Prefer to pay in person? I can have a QR code ready—cash and checks aren’t everyone’s favorite.