What a divorce appraisal answers
An appraisal develops an independent opinion of the home’s value for an agreed effective date. That value can support a discussion about a sale or a buyout. It does not decide ownership, either spouse’s legal share or the settlement terms. Keep those questions with the people advising you on the matter.
Define the assignment before the visit
Tell the appraiser the property, the reason for the report, the intended users and any written instructions. Confirm the valuation date with your attorney or mediator. It may be today or an earlier date. Agree who is engaging the appraiser, who can arrange access and how the report is to be delivered.
How the work develops
The property visit records the home’s size, layout, condition and features within the agreed scope. Research then looks at comparable sales and market conditions relevant to the effective date. The report connects that evidence to the opinion of value and explains its assumptions and limitations. An appraisal visit is different from a home inspection intended to investigate defects.
For an earlier date, preserve earlier evidence
Dated photographs, repair invoices, earlier listings and records of additions can help describe the home as it was. Identify what changed after the effective date. A renovated kitchen today should not quietly stand in for a kitchen that had not yet been renovated on the date being valued.
Value and equity are different questions
An appraisal concludes a property value. Mortgage balances, other liens, transaction costs and the proposed settlement may require separate records and advice. Give the value to your attorney or mediator rather than treating it as a calculation of what either person must receive.
If the report raises questions
Identify a specific factual issue and provide the supporting record. If a comparable sale seems relevant, share its address and explain the similarity. Ask how the evidence was considered. Discuss any second appraisal, review, deposition or testimony separately; do not assume it is included in the original fee.