Frequently Asked Questions

For comparison, the VA's published fee for a single-family home appraisal in California, including San Bernardino County, is $750 (effective May 1, 2026). A private appraisal for an estate, probate, divorce or tax matter can cost more or less depending on the property and the assignment, so call 442-255-7778 for a quote. Fees vary by property complexity, scope, and deadline. What moves the fee: the property type and size, what the value is for, and the effective date, the date the value has to describe. A past date means more research, more records to chase and often a tighter deadline, and that can add to the fee and the schedule.

We give you a written scope, fee and delivery estimate before any work begins. Request a written quote or call with the address, the purpose and your deadline.

It depends on our availability, access to the property, how complex the property is and how much research and reporting the job needs. Tell us your deadline, and get a delivery estimate for your assignment in writing before you rely on it. If a hearing or filing deadline is close, see rush appraisals.

We'll need the property address, square footage (approximate is fine), property type (single-family, condo, etc.), the purpose of the appraisal (estate, probate, divorce, etc.), and your desired deadline.

A state-credentialed appraiser gives you an independent, USPAP-compliant opinion of value for homes and condos in San Bernardino. Before the assignment begins, talk through the property, what the value is for and the valuation date.

In a California court probate, the court's probate referee values the house for the inventory unless the court waives the referee. A private appraisal can still help for a sale, a buyout among heirs or tax basis. Your attorney confirms what your case needs, including how the property is treated and whether a formal appraisal would support the value your matter requires. Our probate appraisals page covers where an independent appraisal fits.

Confirm the valuation date and the intended use with your attorney. Then settle who is hiring the appraiser, who will get the report and who may rely on it. An appraisal gives an opinion of what the property is worth; it does not decide either spouse's legal share or the terms of a buyout. More on our divorce appraisals page.

Raise any testimony, deposition or additional support with the appraiser and your attorney separately, before you proceed. We list expert witness testimony "if required," but whether we can do it, and how much it covers, has to be confirmed for your matter.

A CMA is a broker's pricing opinion. An appraisal is an independent opinion of value from a state-credentialed appraiser, following USPAP, for an agreed purpose and effective date. Ask whoever will receive it what documentation your matter needs.

A retrospective appraisal develops a value for a past effective date. For an inherited house, federal basis generally starts from fair market value at the date of death (26 U.S.C. 1014); valuing at the alternate date, six months after death, is an executor's election on a federal estate tax return (26 U.S.C. 2032). Your tax adviser should tell you which date and use apply; before work begins, the appraiser and the intended users agree what the report will cover. See estate appraisals and IRS step-up appraisals.

Contact us about a property in San Bernardino. Share the complete address to confirm availability. Our service area page covers the city.

Call us at 442-255-7778 or use the contact form. Share the property, purpose and deadline so we can talk through scope, fee, access and when we can deliver.

It depends on the agreed scope and may include measurements, photographs and notes on condition and features. Ask what access and preparation your assignment needs.

Settle three things before the assignment begins: who is hiring the appraiser, who will receive the report and who is named as an intended user. Don't assume anyone else automatically gets a copy.