Need a Real Estate Appraiser to Value Your Home?
Homeowner Appraisal Services
Homeowners need appraisals or appraisal reviews for a variety of reasons, including a mortgage refinance, divorce settlement, trust setup and settlement, settling an estate, home equity loans, Pre-listing services, precise measurement of the square footage, and Private Mortgage insurance removal. When you order an appraisal from RVG, you can rest assured that you will get the best in professional service, market value accuracy, detailed analysis, and a thorough explanation that doesn't require you to be an appraiser to understand.
Divorce
A 'dissolution of marriage' appraisal requires a high level of experience, as well as a deep understanding of the legal process involved. RVG has 20+ years of experience in this sensitive area.
Trusts/Estate Settlement and Planning
Whether you're protecting your wealth and assets with a trust, or settling the estate of a loved one, having an experienced and knowledgeable appraiser in this regard is paramount!
Refinance / Home Equity
Be sure that you request us if your lender asks you for YOUR choice of appraisal firms. More than likely we are already on their "approved list", and if not we will quickly provide your lender with the necessary documentation to become approved.
For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) / Pre-Listing Services
It's very hard to be objective about your own home because of your emotional attachment to it. A Professional Appraiser is objective and will tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear. In addition to helping you set a realistic selling price so your home will attract buyers, a professional appraisal is very valuable as a negotiating tool once you have a potential buyer. It gives you something concrete to show your buyer. It's an independent third party's opinion of your home's value, and not just you saying how much your home is worth. Potential buyers know you have an emotional attachment to your home and will be far more likely to give credibility to a professional appraiser's value opinion than yours.
PMI Removal Appraisals
Not sure what Private Mortgage Insurance is? Check out our video on it here... A popular money saver for homeowners in the last few years is to get the PMI removed from their mortgage loan, thus saving them money on their monthly payments. PMI stands for "Private Mortgage Insurance". Once your mortgage loan amount is down below 80% of the value of your home, in most cases you can apply to the lender to have the PMI removed from your loan, which will make your monthly payments go down. We are experienced in helping folks just like you rid themselves of unneeded and unwanted PMI insurance.
Field and Desktop Appraisal Review Services
Have you just received a copy of your appraisal and would like to have a professional "double-check" it for accuracy, or do you need a second opinion without the expense and delay of waiting for a whole new appraisal?
• Appraisal Field Reviews: We'll check your appraisal for accuracy and provide exterior "field inspections" of the subject and comparable properties for maximum appraisal certainty. Perfect for any situation demanding a second opinion on value.
• Appraisal Desk Reviews: In a hurry and just want to "double-check" the facts? Use our extensive Internet research capabilities and office files to deliver reviews with the highest degree of precision in the industry.
Still Have Some Questions? Give Us A Call!
616-369-1990
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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.
