real estate appraisal Frequently Asked Questions

 A Date of Death appraisal provides a retrospective opinion of a property's Fair Market Value as of the date an owner passed away. These appraisals are commonly used for estate administration, probate, tax reporting, and establishing a stepped-up cost basis for inherited real estate. 

 Yes. A retrospective appraisal develops an opinion of value as of a specific date in the past. The appraiser researches market conditions, comparable sales, property characteristics, and other information that would have been relevant as of that historical effective date. 

 An appraisal may still be useful even when an inherited property is not being sold. Attorneys, CPAs, executors, and property owners frequently obtain Date of Death appraisals to document Fair Market Value for estate administration, tax reporting, and stepped-up basis purposes. 

 A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is generally prepared by a real estate agent to assist with pricing or marketing a property. An appraisal is an independent opinion of value developed by a licensed or certified real estate appraiser under professional appraisal standards and is commonly used for estate, legal, tax, divorce, and other valuation purposes. 

 A FEMA 50% Rule appraisal can be used to help establish the Actual Cash Value of an existing structure for substantial improvement or substantial damage determinations. These assignments are particularly relevant in flood-prone Southwest Florida communities when permitting significant renovations or repairs. 

 Yes. We provide independent residential appraisals for divorce, mediation, settlement negotiations, and marital asset division. Depending on the assignment, the appraisal can provide either a current market value or a retrospective value as of an earlier date. 

Yes. Waterfront properties often require specialized analysis because value can be affected by factors such as Gulf access, bridges, canal characteristics, water depth, views, seawalls, docks, lifts, and boating access. We provide waterfront residential appraisal services throughout Southwest Florida. 

Yes. Independent appraisals may be developed for litigation, mediation, estates, divorce, ownership disputes, and other legal matters. Depending upon the assignment, the appraiser may also be asked to review another valuation or provide expert testimony. 

Consider the appraiser's state certification, professional designations, experience with the particular property type, geographic competency, and experience with the intended use of the appraisal. Jack Lavoie is a Florida Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and holds the SRA and AI-RRS designations from the Appraisal Institute. 

MyFloridaAppraiser.com provides residential appraisal services throughout Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel and Captiva, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Babcock Ranch, and surrounding communities  We serve Lee, Charlotte, Collier and Sarasota Counties.

The cost of an appraisal with Jack Lavoie, SRA, AI-RRS varies depending on the type of property and many other factors. Please contact us for a quote as we will tailor a report type and scope of work that is the right fit for your appraisal needs. 

All of Jack Lavoie, SRA, AI-RRS's appraisers are licensed and certified by the state and have extensive experience in the industry. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality appraisal services.

Appraisers use three main approaches to determine a property's value:

1. Sales Comparison Approach: This method compares the property to similar properties that have recently sold in the area. Adjustments are made for differences, such as size, location, and features, to estimate value.
2. Cost Approach: This approach estimates the cost to replace or reproduce the property, minus any depreciation, and is often used for new construction or unique properties. It factors in land value and the current cost of building materials and labor.
3. Income Approach: Commonly used for income-producing properties, like rental homes or commercial buildings, this method determines value based on the property's ability to generate income. It considers factors such as rental income, expenses, and market conditions to estimate its profitability and value.

Each approach provides insight into different aspects of value, and appraisers often use a combination of these methods to determine the most accurate value for a property.