Estate & Date-of-Death Appraisals

A supported property value can help an executor settle an estate and give beneficiaries a shared basis for decisions. We prepare current and date-of-death appraisals to the purpose and valuation date confirmed with your advisers.

A value for the estate’s next steps

Your lawyer or accountant may request a valuation for estate administration, tax reporting, a sale or a beneficiary buyout. Tell us the intended use and who needs to rely on the report so we can confirm the right scope.

A date-of-death appraisal reflects the property and market at that time. A current appraisal may also be needed for a sale or buyout taking place today.

How a date-of-death appraisal works

The effective date of the appraisal is the date of death, even if the appraisal is ordered months or years later.

• For a full appraisal, we arrange an inspection and use records, photographs and information from the executor to establish the property’s condition at the effective date.
• Comparable sales are taken from around the date of death, not from today's market.
• The report states the effective date, so your lawyer, your accountant and CRA can see what was valued and as of when.

Who orders them

Most date-of-death appraisals are ordered by executors (estate trustees), estate lawyers and accountants preparing the final return. With your authorization, we can deliver the report to the lawyer or accountant identified for the assignment.

What you get

A full appraisal report prepared to professional appraisal standards. It sets out the effective date, the comparable sales, the adjustments and the reasoning behind the value.

Fees and timing

Private and legal appraisals start at $450, plus disbursements and HST, and larger or more complex properties are quoted individually. We confirm the fee in writing before the inspection is scheduled. Typical turnaround is 2–3 business days after the inspection and receipt of all required information. Retrospective and complex assignments can take longer, and we confirm timing with your quote.

Common questions

Can you appraise as of a date of death several years ago?

Often, yes. Before accepting the assignment, we check that reliable sales data and records of the property's condition are available for that date.

The house has already sold. Do I still need an appraisal?

Ask your lawyer or accountant whether the sale documents meet their needs. If they require a value as of an earlier date, we can review the available evidence and confirm whether a retrospective appraisal is feasible.

Do you need to go inside?

A full appraisal normally includes interior and exterior access. If the property has sold or access is unavailable, contact us to discuss the records available and the required scope.

Do you work outside Cambridge?

Yes. We serve Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Hamilton, Brantford, Port Rowan and surrounding regions. Additional travel is considered based on the property and assignment. See the service area map.

If you are selling an inherited property, see Capital Gains & Retrospective Appraisals.