Pacific Appraisers

06/02/2026

Did your family buy a Bay Area home decades ago that’s now worth millions? 🏡📈 Ignoring the "step-up in basis" rule could cost your heirs hundreds of thousands in unnecessary capital gains taxes.

When you inherit a property, the IRS resets its tax value to its fair market value on the exact date of the owner's passing—potentially dropping your taxable profit to $0.

But the IRS won't accept a Zillow estimate or an old Prop 13 tax bill. You need a certified, retrospective "date of death" appraisal to legally lock in that value.

We break down the numbers and show you how to protect your family's equity in our latest guide. 📖 ⬇

🔗 Read the full post:

The "step-up in basis" - If you plan to leave a Bay Area home to your children, or if you’ve recently inherited one, understanding this rule is critical.

05/13/2026

ADUs are a popular investment in the Bay Area. See what appraisers consider when valuing a home with one. 🔎🏠

An ADU can greatly increase the value of your home. See what appraisers consider when calculating the value of your backyard dwelling unit.

05/05/2026

Confused why the county's assessed value of your home is way off? 🤔

The County Assessor and a Fee Appraiser look at your property through very different lenses. Our latest blog post explains why these numbers rarely match and how it affects your bottom line. ⬇

Does your tax bill not match your home's value? Learn the key differences between county tax assessments and professional appraisals.

04/01/2026

Ever spent a weekend cleaning your house just because an appraiser was coming over? 🧹🏠

What if you didn't have to?

In 2026, the "Traditional" appraisal isn't the only way to value your home. Desktop Appraisals are changing the game, but they might not be for everyone. In this week's blog post, see if a Desktop appraisal can save you time and money. 📈 ⬇

https://pacificappraisers.com/desktop-vs-full-appraisals/

03/20/2026

Need a valuation ASAP for an inherited property? Don't stress. In this week's blog post, learn what a retrospective appraisal is and when you should get one done. 🏠📅⬇

Is it too late for an estate appraisal? Learn more about retrospective valuations and what happens when a date of death is past 6 months.

03/13/2026

Find out which remodel projects actually boost your home's value and which ones are just "money pits" in this week's blog post. 🔨🏠

https://pacificappraisers.com/do-renovations-increase-home-value/

Remember, if you need an appraisal, you know where to find us!

Learn why not all renovations increase home value and which upgrades actually pay off to Maximize your ROI.

03/04/2026

Owning a 25% share of a $1 million property does not equate to $250k in value. This discrepancy is why a partial ownership of property needs a fractional interest appraisal.

Learn more about fractional interest appraisals and the factors considered in the valuation process in this week’s blog post:

The San Francisco Bay Area real estate market continues to be a focal point of immense capital and unique ownership structures. From Los Gatos luxury estates

02/26/2026

We’re excited to share that our team will be posting on our blog every week!

Follow along to stay up to date with the latest market trends, expert property valuation tips, and important industry news. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, our appraisal insights will help you stay informed and confident.

Read one of our recent posts here:

See how Zillow pricing is inaccurate in Santa Cruz County for estate settlements. Learn why IRS Form 706 and date of death valuations require a qualified appraiser.

02/25/2026

Hey Bay Area! We're back on Facebook. If you need an appraisal this tax season, you're in the right place! Our professional team of local experts are ready to help.

Visit our website to learn more about what we can do for you:

Looking for reliable appraisers in Northern California? Pacific Appraisers provides certified property valuation services for real estate, refinancing, and more.

10/10/2022

Valuing Fractional Interests Article - Part 1

The Rapid Rise of Real Estate in Transition Planning
While an enormous amount of real estate is held through partnerships and other ownership structures, future generations will struggle to preserve family legacies unless transitions provide for management and interest-holder buyouts. This places great emphasis on the importance of transition planning. Ways to accomplish this are displayed through this article.
Fractional interests are typically created when there are substantial benefits that can be gained. These interests are formed by investing at a premium. This may include pooling resources for purchasing and improving property or splitting the usage of a property.
Asset-related transition planning is important and often overlooked by many. While selling problematic assets is typically the solution, it can be hard for partners to all agree. Clarity on the facts and circumstances is essential to foster an agreement between the parties.
According to Daniel Webb, a business and real estate appraiser, he believes it is important to become proficient at valuing fractional interests in a way that is meaningful to the clients.
To learn more click the link below: