Before one spouse keeps the home or you agree on a settlement value, establish what the property is worth as of the date your case requires. An independent residential appraisal provides a documented value and supporting analysis for that discussion. Alpha Appraisal serves King, Snohomish and Skagit Counties. Identify the property, intended users and valuation date with your attorney or the parties before ordering.
A written appraisal explains the value opinion, relevant market evidence and reasoning for the agreed property interest and valuation date. It gives you and your advisers a documented figure to work from when discussing a sale, settlement or spouse buyout. The agreed scope defines the inspection, research and report needed for your assignment.
An appraisal can be useful when a home is a significant asset, one spouse wants to retain it, the parties disagree about value or historical value matters. Whether a case requires an appraisal depends on its circumstances and any agreement or court direction. Your attorney can advise which valuation evidence is needed. An appraiser develops the value opinion; legal counsel addresses property rights and settlement requirements.
The effective date is the date the opinion of value applies to. It can differ from the inspection and report dates. A settlement may call for current value, while another question may require value at acquisition, marriage, separation or another specified historical date. Confirm the needed date with legal counsel before the appraisal begins. Identify each date and purpose if more than one date is needed.
The appraisal addresses the defined property interest and value as of the specified date. A buyout calculation may also involve mortgage balances, ownership rights, credits, agreed costs and other settlement terms. Do not assume the buyout amount is automatically half the appraised value or half the equity.
Compare effective dates, property interests, intended uses and assumptions, then property descriptions, measured areas, condition, selected sales, trends, adjustments and reconciliation. A scoped appraisal review can help explain differences. The review agreement should state whether it includes a separate opinion of value. Simply averaging two conclusions does not explain their differences.
Check its intended use, report users, effective date, property interest and conditions before relying on it. A lender-ordered report may answer a different question from the settlement or spouse buyout. Share those assignment details when asking whether an existing report, a new appraisal or a review fits your decision.
Read the mortgage-appraisal and divorce-buyout guide.
Alpha Appraisal’s residential appraisals start at $695. The final quote depends on the home, location, intended use, valuation date and required scope. Send the address, report users, access arrangements and deadline. We will discuss the assignment and confirm fee and availability before scheduling; requesting a quote does not commit you to an unconfirmed delivery date.
Provide the address, deadline, proposed effective date, intended users, access contact and relevant instructions from counsel. Historical assignments benefit from older photographs, listing records, renovation dates, permits and prior reports. Explain improvements or damage after the historical date so today’s condition is not substituted for past condition.
Request a divorce appraisal quote with the property address, valuation date and deadline, or call 425-753-1971.
Retrospective home appraisal guide · Co-owner buyout guide · Estate appraisals · Request a divorce appraisal quote
About the appraiser
Dustin LaBrasseur, Washington Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, credential 1703357. Verify the credential in the national registry. Content updated October 16, 2026.