24-Hour Appraisals for Family Sales, Transfers and Buyouts
A fair, documented price when a home changes hands inside the family.
Selling the family home to one of the kids, buying a sibling out of an inherited house, or untangling a co-ownership between friends or partners: each of these deals goes more smoothly when everyone starts from the same independent value.
Family deals come together quickly
Agreements tend to form over a holiday weekend, before a relative flies home, or the day an attorney is ready to draft the paperwork. With 24-hour delivery the number arrives while everyone is still at the table.
Why an independent value helps
- It gives co-owners a buyout figure nobody chose to suit themselves.
- It documents an arm's-length price if a sale below market value is later treated as part gift.
- It records the new owner's value for future tax and insurance questions.
- It turns a conversation about feelings into a conversation about sales.
What to send
- Names of the buyer(s) and seller(s) for the report
- Whether you need today's value or a specific transfer date
- Photos, plus a list of improvements and who paid for them if that matters to the deal
Send photos with your order through the upload page, or attach them to a reply to your confirmation email.
Is a desktop appraisal right for this?
Desktop appraisals suit family transactions well: the people who know the house best supply the information, and everyone can see exactly what the appraisal relied on.
Prepared for every purpose on this site. Brian Ward has prepared desktop appraisals for every purpose listed on this site. Some situations still call for an inspection-based appraisal, so check with your attorney or tax advisor before you order to be sure a desktop report fits your matter.
Questions
If I sell to my child below market value, do I need an appraisal?
The gap between fair market value and the price paid can count as a gift for federal gift-tax purposes, so many families document the value. Your tax advisor can tell you whether a gift-tax return is required.
Can I use the appraisal to get a mortgage for the buyout?
No. Lenders order their own appraisals. A Cwift report is for pricing and documenting the transfer, not for loan underwriting.
Often ordered alongside
Gift Tax (Form 709)
Fair market value of gifted real estate on the date of transfer, for the gift-tax return.
24-hour details →
Prop 19 Parent-Child Transfers
Market value on the transfer date, to see how much of the old tax base survives.
24-hour details →
Trust & Estate Administration
Certified values for trustees and executors: accountings, distributions and trust sales.
24-hour details →Need this appraisal by this time tomorrow?
Start the order now. Payment and photos start the 24-hour clock, any day of the week.