602-312-9571Independent values for executors, trustees, heirs and their advisors. Full appraisals starting at $500 · Desktop appraisals $150 · About 5 business days.
Firebird Appraisals & Consulting · Gabe Trevizo, Arizona license 22146 · VA designated appraiser · over 20 years appraising Valley homes · Gilbert-based, serving the Phoenix metro and Pinal County (Apache Junction, Maricopa, Casa Grande, San Tan Valley) · USPAP-compliant · fee never depends on value
Settling an estate means a long list of decisions at a hard time. When a home is part of the estate, one of the first questions is: what was it worth? We prepare independent residential appraisals for estates, trusts and probate matters and coordinate with your attorney and CPA on scope.
- Date-of-death (retrospective) values for estate administration and tax reporting — your CPA or attorney confirms how the value will be used
- Trust administration before a successor trustee distributes or sells
- Probate inventories needing a supported value
- Heir buyouts and dividing property fairly
- Planning a sale with an independent value before choosing a list price
- Charitable donation or gifts of real property, when your advisor confirms the appraisal requirements
We appraise residential real estate. For questions about tax law, basis, filing requirements or probate procedure, please talk with your CPA or attorney.
Full appraisal or desktop appraisal?
| Full appraisal – starting at $500 | Desktop appraisal – $150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | Interior & exterior visit, measurements, photos | No site visit; MLS, public records and owner-provided info |
| Best for | Required for contested divorces; high-stakes matters, unique homes, anything where condition matters | Uncontested or informational uses only: early planning, amicable settlements, quick value checks |
| Limits | — | Relies on available data and stated assumptions about condition; not right if condition or size is in dispute |
| Turnaround | About 5 business days after inspection | About 5 business days |
| Not sure which fits? Tell us how the report will be used and who will rely on it, and we will recommend the right scope before you pay anything. |
Tip for estates: a desktop appraisal can be a cost-effective option for straightforward homes or early planning. If advisors need an inspection, the condition on the date of death matters, or heirs disagree, choose the full appraisal.
How retrospective appraisals work
- Confirm the effective date with the executor, trustee or attorney
- Research comparable sales that closed around that date, plus listings and pendings showing the market then
- Describe the property as it was — if it has changed since, we ask about condition at the time and state assumptions clearly
- Analyze market conditions around that date, not today’s
We can also provide a current value, or both.
What to expect
Ordering: address, date of death (or other effective date), intended users (e.g., the estate, trustee and attorney) and any deadline.
Inspection (full appraisals): with whoever has access. A house full of belongings is fine — we appraise the real property, not the contents.
Helpful info: effective date requested by counsel; updates/repairs and when (especially anything after the date of death); HOA info; known issues as of that date; photos from around that time.
Report: clear written report in about 5 business days.
Appraisal vs. other value estimates
| Source | What it is | Limits for estate use |
|---|---|---|
| Online estimate | Automated model | No inspection, no date-of-death analysis |
| Assessor value | Property tax value | Not intended as market value for settlement |
| Agent price opinion | Marketing recommendation | Not a USPAP appraisal |
| Appraisal | Independent, USPAP-compliant opinion by a licensed appraiser | Prepared for the stated use and users |
Independent and confidential
We don’t represent any heir, and our fee never depends on the value. Please note: Firebird does not provide expert witness or court testimony services; if you expect the value to be contested in court, talk with your attorney before ordering.
FAQ
How far back can you appraise? As far as reliable market data allows — tell us the date and we’ll confirm.
Do I need to clean out the house? No.
What does it cost? Full appraisals start at $500; desktop $150. Multiple effective dates or complex properties may cost more — quoted up front.
Can one heir order it? Yes; list every intended user at the time of order.
Do you appraise furniture or vehicles? No — residential real estate only.
Get a quote
Request a Quote → (address, purpose, effective date, intended users, deadline) · Call 602-312-9571 · Email Orders@firebirdappraisals.com
Related: Non-Lender Appraisals · Divorce · Pre-Listing · FAQ