Date of Death Appraisals in Atlanta: What They Are, Why You Need One, and How We Help.

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind real estate, one of the most important — yet overlooked — steps in the estate process is getting a Date of Death Appraisal.

This isn’t just about knowing what the property is worth. It’s about protecting your family’s financial future, staying compliant with IRS guidelines, and potentially saving tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital gains taxes.

At REI Valuations & Advisory, we specialize in retrospective date of death appraisals that establish the proper step-up in basis — so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and tax compliance.

What Is a Date of Death Appraisal?

A Date of Death Appraisal is a professional, retrospective valuation of a property based on its market value as of the date the deceased owner passed away.

It’s typically used for:

• Estate settlement

• Probate court proceedings

• IRS reporting

• Inheritance tax planning

• Step-up basis documentation (to minimize or eliminate capital gains tax when the property is sold)

The IRS requires a “qualified appraisal” to substantiate the fair market value of inherited property. That means it must be performed by a licensed real estate appraiser — and it must comply with USPAP standards and IRS Publication 561.

The Problem Most Families Face

Grieving families often delay or skip this critical step — not realizing that failing to get a professional valuation can lead to:

• Inaccurate tax filings

• Capital gains exposure (potentially thousands in avoidable taxes)

• Delays in probate or estate distribution

• Disagreements among heirs

• Uncertainty around when or how to sell the property

You may be asking:

“Do we really need this?”

“Can we just use a Zestimate or tax assessor’s number?”

“What if we plan to sell the house soon anyway?”

Here’s the truth:

Without a certified retrospective appraisal, you may be setting your family up for tax liability, legal delays, or equity loss.

The Solution: Our IRS-Compliant Date of Death Appraisal Service

At REI Valuations & Advisory, we provide full-service, court‑ and IRS‑ready Date of Death Appraisals across the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

Certified Retrospective Valuation – Based on the exact date of death, with full support documentation and sales comps from that time period.

Step-Up Basis Support – Establish the updated cost basis so you can eliminate unnecessary capital gains tax when the property is sold.

IRS & CPA Coordination – Our reports are built for accountants, probate attorneys, and IRS documentation.

Family Clarity & Confidence – We help eliminate guesswork, remove emotional decision-making, and give all heirs a clear, unbiased value to work from.

Fast Turnaround Times – We understand time-sensitive estate cases and keep you informed from intake to delivery.

Fully USPAP & IRS Compliant – No cut corners. Every report is produced to meet the highest valuation standards, suitable for tax reporting or legal proceedings.

Who We Serve

We regularly work with:

• Estate Executors & Administrators

• Heirs and Beneficiaries

• Trustees and Financial Advisors

• Probate Attorneys & CPAs

• Real Estate Agents representing inherited properties

If you’re navigating probate or preparing to sell an inherited property, this appraisal is your foundation.

Real Example: Tax-Free Equity After 40+ Years of Ownership

We recently assisted a retired CPA whose family inherited a home purchased in the early 1980s. By establishing the step-up basis through our Date of Death Appraisal, they were able to avoid hundreds of thousands in taxable gains — and sell the home with zero capital gains tax.

Our appraisal wasn’t just a number — it was the difference between financial stress and tax-free equity.

Call to Action: Get the Clarity You Need

Don’t leave your family’s finances to chance.

Contact us today to request a Date of Death Appraisal, or learn more about how this one step can eliminate future tax issues, legal delays, and costly mistakes.

Request Your Date of Death Appraisal

Let REI Valuations & Advisory be your guide through the estate process — with accuracy, professionalism, and peace of mind every step of the way.

November 4th 2025