Orange County, CA
Accuracy, Professionalism and Communication Is Our Goal!
Certified real estate appraisals in Orange County, CA — residential, divorce, estate, date of death step-up in basis / and expert witness services.
Meet the Appraiser
Shawn Howard
President / Appraiser
35+ years of Real Estate Appraisal experience in Orange County, California. Shawn is a fourth-generation South Orange County resident. He received a B.A. in Business Administration from CSUF in 1993. He began his appraisal career in 1988 and has been certified for many years. His expertise is waterfront and complex multi-million-dollar properties in Orange County. Shawn is also a qualified Expert Witness in Family Dissolution with the Orange County Superior Court.
Our Services
Comprehensive appraisal solutions for homeowners, attorneys, lenders, and investors.
Residential Appraisals Done Right
Associated Appraisers, Inc. is not a typical 'one-man' appraisal office. With a property and market database dating back 30+ years and several appraisers on staff, plus an administrative assistant and a bookkeeper, we have superior technical, research, and data collection resources.
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Divorce & Estate Appraisals
When dividing assets during a divorce, one of the most common sources of conflict is property value. My professional divorce appraisals ensure fairness, credibility in court and mediation, and peace of mind — no surprises down the road.
Expert Witness Services
As a qualified Expert Witness in Family Dissolution with the Orange County Superior Court, my reports hold weight in court and mediation.
Areas of Expertise
Why Choose Us
Rely on Expertise
At Associated Appraisers, we live up to our commitment to deliver a high-quality appraisal report to you on time. Customer satisfaction is our ultimate goal. With 35+ years of appraisal experience in the community, we have established a clientele that includes a broad representation of government and financial institutions, law firms, relocation companies, and private developers/investors.
IRS Compliance
Understanding the Date of Death Valuation
For IRS purposes, a date of death appraisal is officially called a date of death valuation, and the resulting value is referred to as the fair market value (FMV) as of the date of death. It establishes the "stepped-up basis" for inherited property, which can significantly reduce future capital gains taxes for the heirs.
The appraiser must determine what the property was worth on the specific day the owner passed away, even if the appraisal is conducted months later.
This valuation is typically used when filing IRS Form 706 (United States Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return) or to establish the new cost basis for the beneficiaries.
In some specific estate tax situations, the IRS allows an "alternate valuation date," which is exactly six months after the date of death, if it reduces the overall tax liability of the estate.
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Call 949.283.4003 or Email Below
Phone
949.283.4003Hours
We serve all of Orange County, CA. Whether you need a residential appraisal, date of death step-up in basis, divorce appraisal, or expert witness services, we're here to help.