What Is a Date-of-Death Appraisal?

A date-of-death appraisal (also called a retrospective appraisal or estate appraisal) establishes the fair market value of a property as of the date the owner passed away—not when the appraisal is conducted. It accounts for market conditions, comparable sales, condition of the property at that date, and legal standards. Unlike a standard current appraisal, this is backward looking, but carried out by a certified appraiser to be defensible in court or for tax purposes.

When Do You Need One in Springfield, MA?

• Probate Matters: Courts often demand an appraisal of real estate held by a decedent to determine the estate’s total value.
• IRS / Estate Tax Filings: If the estate crosses the thresholds or for federal/state tax purposes, a qualified valuation as of the date of death is required.
• Heir Disputes: To distribute real property fairly among family members, especially when multiple heirs are involved.
• Estate Planning or Trusts: Sometimes done ahead of time or after in order to set baseline values.

How the Process Works in this Region

Here’s what you can expect when working with a Springfield appraiser like Pilgrim Colonial on an estate or date-of-death appraisal:

1. Timeline & Effective Date: You’ll define the date of death. The inspection (if possible) and comparable sales will be selected around that date.
2. Condition & Improvements: The condition of the property *as of* the date of passing (including damages, deferred maintenance) matters—even if situation changed later.
3. Comparable Sales Research: Look for sales in Springfield (or nearby Hampden County) that closed close in time, similar in style, size, condition.
4. Report & Legal Use: The final report is typically USPAP-compliant, includes narrative, documentation, may be used by attorneys, executors, or tax authorities.

Cost & Timing to Know

While every estate is unique, here are some ballpark expectations based on Springfield and Hampden County:

• Cost: Depends on property size, type, condition, and how far back the date of death is. Usually a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
• Timing: Typically takes several weeks—depends on inspection access, data research, attorney deadlines. If the effective date is many years back, data gathering may take longer.

Why Choose Pilgrim Colonial for Estate / Date-of-Death Appraisals

• Deep local knowledge: Springfield neighborhoods, Hampden County comps, city assessor data.
• Law-friendly reporting: We understand what probate courts, executors, and tax professionals need.
• Transparent process & communication: We’ll walk you through what documents are helpful and what to expect.