About Real Value Group
An Education Company That Just Happens to Provide Appraisals!
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We love to talk with our clients and educate! Homeowners like you have questions!
You want answers to those questions and getting answers from the typical appraiser can be like pulling teeth!
Homeowners often wonder what the real market value of their home is. Zillow is more than willing to tell you what their algorithms think your home is worth based on almost no knowledge of your home whatsoever, or the specific nature of your home in your specific neighborhood.
When the real and true market value of your home matters to you, you need a well trained human being who understands the nuances of your specific home in your specific neighborhood, not a computer or an algorithm or a highly motivated commissioned sales person telling you how much they think they could sell your home for in the current market.
What somebody will pay for your home today is one thing, what the ‘market’ says it’s worth is where a highly trained and knowledgeable real estate appraiser familiar with your specific area comes in.
Since 2001, mortgage lenders, consumers, attorneys, Realtors, as well as other real estate professionals, have relied on our education, our classes, our appraisal review videos, and of course, our home appraisal expertise, to provide high-quality real estate appraisals on a wide variety of Michigan property in Kent, Ottawa, Barry, Allegan, and Ionia Counties.
By continuously analyzing local real estate trends in those areas and staying current on home valuation techniques through accredited courses, classroom training, in-the-field experience, and extensive testing, our real estate appraisers have been consistently able to produce very credible and reliable home valuations for people like you.
We also take great pride in the time we spend educating our clients and customers about how real estate appraisals work, the story they tell, what their specific appraisal is really saying and also 'not saying', and what a reasonable plan might be for them moving forward.
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Blaine Feyen and the Real Value Appraisal team have also become the preferred source for real estate appraisal education, appraisal reviews, legal appraisal work such as divorce appraisals, date of death appraisals, home appraisals for setting up trusts and financial planning, and settling estates.
Blaine and the Real Value Appraisal Group staff have become leaders in the market by being willing to spend any time necessary to talk with clients and customers about their appraisal and the appraisal process.
They have also been leaders in leveraging technology as a high-tech-paperless office, utilizing the latest in tablet technology and software for Appraisers, and mastering screen-casting technology to provide a comprehensive video walk-through of the key points of their appraisals when needed or requested. This has been a vital benefit for homeowners, real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys using our real estate appraiser services as it saves a tremendous amount of time since our clients no longer have to try and guess why we chose a particular comparable sale or where a particular feature of a home might be located on the appraisal.
At Real Value Group, our commitment is simple: give homeowners clarity, confidence, and honest answers. We believe real estate valuation shouldn’t feel confusing or inaccessible, so we take the time to talk with you, explain the process, and ensure you fully understand what your appraisal means—and what it doesn’t.
We’re dedicated to providing transparent, human-driven insight rooted in real experience, not algorithms or sales pressure. When the true market value of your home matters, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Commitment
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Our Expertise
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With more than two decades of experience serving Kent, Ottawa, Barry, Allegan, and Ionia Counties, Real Value Group delivers proven, reliable appraisals backed by rigorous education, advanced valuation techniques, and deep knowledge of local market nuances.
Our team combines accredited training, ongoing analysis of market trends, and extensive fieldwork to produce credible valuations for lenders, attorneys, financial planners, Realtors, and homeowners. From traditional home appraisals to divorce, estate, trust, and legal appraisal work—as well as industry-leading appraisal education and review services—we’re recognized for delivering accurate reports, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched clarity through our detailed explanations and video reviews.
© 2025 Real Value Group
Elite Broker Blogs
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My parents passed away do I need an appraisal
🏡 My Parent Passed Away—Do I Need to Get an Appraisal on Their House?
(Why a Home Appraisal Is Often Essential After the Death of a Loved One)
Losing a parent is difficult enough—emotionally, mentally, and logistically. And if they owned real estate, you may be left wondering:
“Do I need to get an appraisal on their house now that they’ve passed?”
In most cases, especially in West Michigan, the answer is:
✅ Yes—an appraisal is strongly recommended, and often legally required.
Here’s why getting a home appraisal after the death of a parent is not just helpful—it’s a critical step for estate management, taxes, and family harmony.
📋 1. Appraisals Are Required for Estate Settlement and Probate
If your parent’s home is part of a probate estate, a date-of-death appraisal is often required by the court. The appraisal:
Establishes the home’s fair market value at the time of passing
Helps determine total estate value for tax and legal purposes
Aids in distributing assets fairly among heirs
Even if the estate avoids probate (via a trust, for example), an appraisal provides clear documentation for the trustee or executor to carry out their responsibilities properly.
🧠 In Michigan, probate courts typically require a real property valuation as part of the inventory process.
💵 2. You May Need It for Tax Purposes (Capital Gains or Estate Tax)
If the property will be sold later, the appraisal establishes the “stepped-up basis” for capital gains tax purposes. That means:
The home’s value resets to the appraised value at the time of death
Heirs only pay capital gains on the increase after that date—not the original purchase price
Without an appraisal, you could overpay taxes—or face scrutiny from the IRS if audited.
💡 Example: If your parent bought the home in 1975 for $40,000 and it’s now worth $280,000, the stepped-up basis protects you from being taxed on that $240,000 gain.
🏡 3. It Helps with Family Buyouts or Asset Division
If one heir wants to keep the home and others want to sell or cash out, the appraisal provides a neutral, third-party value that everyone can agree on.
This helps avoid:
Family disputes
One party feeling shortchanged
Ongoing delays or confusion
⚖️ Appraisals are often used as the foundation for fair negotiations between siblings or beneficiaries.
🏠 4. You’ll Need It to Sell the Property
Before listing the home on the market, it’s wise to know what it’s worth based on local market conditions—not online estimates or tax records.
A professional appraisal:
Helps you price the home appropriately
Justifies the asking price to potential buyers
Reduces the risk of appraisal-related issues during the sale
This is especially helpful in varied markets like Grand Rapids, Ada, Rockford, or Byron Center, where homes can differ widely in style and value even within the same neighborhood.
📆 When Should You Get the Appraisal?
If your parent recently passed, it’s best to order the appraisal sooner rather than later. A certified appraiser can provide a date-of-death valuation, which reflects what the home was worth on the actual day your parent passed—even if the inspection occurs later.
This is known as a retrospective appraisal, and it’s a standard service in estate work.
✅ Final Thoughts
If your parent passed away and left behind real estate, getting a home appraisal isn’t just a formality—it’s a foundational step for:
Legal and probate compliance
Tax protection and IRS documentation
Fair division among heirs
Smart decision-making around selling or keeping the home
In West Michigan, a qualified local appraiser who specializes in estate and probate work can provide the clarity, professionalism, and legal documentation your family needs during this challenging time.
