Retrospective Appraisals

What this service involves

A retrospective appraisal develops an opinion of value as of a defined past date. The appraiser researches historical sales, market conditions, and property records that were available as of that date, rather than today's data. The deliverable depends on the agreed scope and the reason the historical value is needed.

Date of death appraisals are one common type of retrospective appraisal, but retrospective valuations serve many other purposes — tax filings, litigation, contract disputes, and any matter requiring a value tied to a past event.

When someone may need it

Retrospective appraisals are needed whenever a past value matters. Examples include establishing a basis for inherited property, valuing a property as of a divorce separation date, supporting a tax matter tied to a prior date, or resolving a dispute about value at the time of a past transaction. The triggering event defines the valuation date.

What the analysis considers

The appraisal considers the property and the market as of the historical date:

• Property characteristics: the home's type, size, layout, and condition as of the valuation date.
• Historical comparable sales: sales that closed near the valuation date in the same market.
• Past market conditions: supply, demand, and trends as they existed then.
• Effective date: the specific past date the value opinion addresses.
• Intended use: the purpose the historical value supports.

Information that may help

Helpful items include the property address, the exact valuation date, the reason the historical value is needed, and any historical records you have — prior appraisals, old listings, photographs, or improvement records from around that date. The more context from the period, the stronger the analysis.

How the assignment works

We confirm the valuation date and intended use, inspect the property (current condition, with historical context), research historical sales and market data from the valuation period, complete the retrospective analysis, and deliver the report. Older valuation dates require deeper historical research, which can affect turnaround.