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 An inaccurate or outdated assessment of the property value might leave you owing thousands more in taxes when the property sells.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 going through a difficult time, who suddenly find themselves staring at a mountain of paperwork not knowing what to do or who to trust.
Good news, I’m here to help and I’m all ears. The easiest thing to do next is just call me—I’ll explain the next steps without all the technical jargon.
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.
Why do I need an appraisal?
Skipping an appraisal could cost you $$
Let’s say your parents bought their house decades ago for a fraction of today’s value. Well, you don’t want to inherit the house at that low value—you want it to reflect what it’s worth right now! If you end up selling the house without an appraisal, you might end up having to pay thousands more in taxes!
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?
Not necessarily. I specialize in something called a retrospective appraisal, which values the property according to what it was worth at a certain point in the past. This is what a lot of estate/probate situations need.
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.