Private Appraisals
You don’t need a mortgage to need an appraisal. Epic Appraisal provides independent residential valuation services for homeowners, attorneys, estate representatives, trustees, real estate professionals, and others who need a credible, well-supported opinion of value.
When should you consider a private appraisal?
A professional appraisal can provide clarity when an important financial, legal, or personal decision involves real estate.
Estate & Probate
Current or retrospective valuations for probate, estate settlement, inheritance, trusts, and date-of-death needs.
Divorce & Separation
Independent residential valuations for property division, mediation, settlement discussions, and related legal matters.
Pre-Listing
An independent opinion of market value before making important pricing and sale decisions, especially for unusual or difficult-to-price properties.
Property Tax Appeals
Market-value analysis that may help support a property assessment appeal when value is disputed.
Private Sales & Purchases
Independent valuation for transactions between family members, friends, business partners, co-owners, landlords, tenants, or other private parties.
Trusts, Transfers & Planning
Valuation support for family transfers, trust administration, financial planning, buyouts, and other real-estate decisions.
Why not just use an online estimate?
Automated estimates can be useful for a quick reference, but they do not inspect the property or fully account for characteristics such as condition, quality, remodeling, views, acreage, waterfront, outbuildings, location influences, or other features that can materially affect value.
What happens during a private appraisal?
- Tell us the property address and why the appraisal is needed.
- We determine the appropriate scope of work and provide a quote.
- When an interior inspection is appropriate, our office coordinates the property visit.
- The appraiser researches the property, comparable sales, and relevant market data.
- You receive a professional appraisal report with the appraiser’s analysis and opinion of value.
How should I prepare?
You generally do not need to stage or deep-clean your home. It can be helpful to provide a list of major remodels, recent improvements, additions, accessory units, outbuildings, permits, and unusual features that may not be obvious during the inspection.
Testimony & litigation support
Some private appraisal assignments may later require testimony or other litigation-related involvement. Testimony and litigation time is billed at $300 per hour with a three-hour minimum.
Payment terms for testimony or litigation
The three-hour minimum of $900 must be paid prior to the hearing date. The appraiser will invoice for any additional time or other amounts due upon completion.
Not sure what type of appraisal you need?
Tell us the property address and what you are trying to accomplish. Our office can help determine whether Epic Appraisal is a good fit for the assignment.
Back-to-back Best of South Sound winner.
Epic Appraisal was voted Best of South Sound in 2025 and 2026—a recognition we’re proud to pair with responsive communication, local market knowledge, and professional residential appraisal service.