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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Should I have a trust set up before getting an appraisal
Should I Have a Trust Set Up Before Getting an Appraisal?
(How Appraisals and Trusts Work Together in Estate Planning)
If you’re thinking ahead about your legacy—or helping a parent or grandparent prepare their affairs—you may be wondering:
“Should I have a trust already set up before getting a home appraisal?”
It’s a smart question. But here’s the good news:
✅ No, you do not need to have a trust in place before getting a home appraisal.
In fact, many people get an appraisal first as part of the process of creating or updating their estate plan.
Here’s how it works—and why both tools are valuable for protecting your assets and your family.
🧾 What’s the Purpose of an Appraisal in Estate Planning?
A real estate appraisal provides an objective, current market value of your home. This valuation serves several purposes in an estate or trust scenario:
Helps attorneys and financial advisors determine how to structure your estate
Ensures your assets are fairly divided among heirs
Supports gift or inheritance tax planning
Establishes a baseline for future capital gains calculations
Provides documentation if the home will later be placed into a trust
If you own property in West Michigan—especially in dynamic markets like Grand Rapids, Ada, Rockford, or Kentwood—an accurate appraisal ensures your estate plan reflects realistic, local market values.
📜 What Does a Trust Do?
A trust is a legal entity that holds your assets (like real estate) on behalf of beneficiaries. Unlike a will, a properly structured trust:
Avoids probate, which saves time and legal costs
Keeps your estate matters private
Allows for control and customization over how and when assets are distributed
May offer tax advantages
But a trust is only as effective as the assets placed in it—and that’s where the appraisal comes in.
🔁 How Appraisals and Trusts Work Together
Think of it this way:
The appraisal tells you what the home is worth
The trust tells everyone what to do with it
Many estate attorneys in West Michigan recommend getting a home appraisal before or during the trust creation process so they can:
Accurately value the home for asset allocation
Decide if the home should be transferred into the trust
Structure buyouts or inheritance splits fairly among heirs
Document value for IRS or state tax purposes
📆 When Should I Get the Appraisal?
You can get an appraisal:
Before setting up a trust (to guide decision-making)
As part of the trust setup (to support equitable planning)
After the trust is created (to update valuations)
There’s no legal requirement to do it in a specific order—but the earlier you know your home’s true value, the better your estate plan will be.
⚖️ What If I Already Have a Trust?
If you already have a trust but never had your home appraised—or your last appraisal was years ago—it may be time for an update.
Property values in Kent County and surrounding areas have changed significantly in recent years. An outdated value could:
Mislead your heirs about what they’ll inherit
Create imbalanced distributions among beneficiaries
Lead to disputes or confusion when the time comes
💡 Pro Tip: Many families request a new appraisal every 3–5 years as part of regular estate plan reviews.
✅ Final Thoughts
So, should you have a trust before getting an appraisal?
Not necessarily.
In fact, an appraisal is often the first step in building a solid, informed estate plan.
Whether you're preparing your own trust, managing a parent’s estate, or simply planning ahead, a local, professional appraisal gives you:
Financial clarity
Legal protection
Peace of mind
And in West Michigan, where property values vary greatly from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore, accuracy matters.
