Inherited homes · Orange County
Selling an Inherited Home in Orange County: Get the Appraisal First
Why heirs should document the home's date-of-death value before listing, and how that value connects to taxes, siblings and the sale itself.
Mallinson Home Appraisers · Family-run since 1979
Order Matters
Many families want to list an inherited house quickly. Before you clean out, repair or list it, ask whether the estate has documented the home's value as of the date of death. Once a home is repaired, staged or sold, its earlier condition becomes harder to show.
A date-of-death appraisal records what the home was worth on the day your loved one passed. The IRS generally treats that fair market value as the starting point, or basis, for inherited property. Your CPA decides how it applies to your situation.
Why the Basis Affects the Sale
When an inherited home sells, any taxable gain is generally measured against that basis, not against what the original owner paid decades ago. In Orange County, where many homes were bought for a fraction of today's prices, the difference can be large.
A documented value from a licensed appraiser gives your CPA support for the number used. A real estate agent's opinion or an online estimate is not the same thing.
Keep Siblings on the Same Page
When several heirs share a house, one may want to buy out the others, or everyone may disagree about price. An independent appraisal gives the family one neutral number to start from, which can make those conversations easier.
What to Gather Before You Call
You do not need everything on this list. Send what you have and we can talk through the rest.
- Property address and date of death
- Name of the executor, trustee or attorney handling the estate
- Photos of the home from around the date of death
- Any repairs or clean-out done since then, with dates
- Whether a sale, buyout or tax filing is planned, and when
- Your CPA's or attorney's contact details
Local Experience Helps
Mallinson Home Appraisers is a family-run firm in Dana Point and has appraised Orange County homes since 1979. We do date-of-death appraisals for heirs, trustees, attorneys and CPAs from San Clemente to Newport Beach and beyond. Call 949.241.0310 to talk it through before you list.
Sources & Further Reading
General information, not tax, legal, engineering or insurance advice. Confirm your property's requirements with your attorney, CPA or the appropriate qualified professional.