Online estimates guess. A licensed appraiser inspects your home, studies the sales around it, and puts the value in writing. Robert Howlett, SRA, AI-RRS, has appraised Southern California homes for 25 years and works directly for you, with no lender or sale to protect.
When you order a private appraisal, the report is for you. It is independent, it explains how the value was reached, and it can be used with buyers, family members, attorneys, CPAs, insurers, and the county.
| What you get | Online estimate | Agent's price opinion | Licensed appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Someone actually inspects the home | No | Sometimes | Yes |
| Adjusts for condition, upgrades, and lot | No | Informally | Yes, with support |
| Independent, with no sale or commission at stake | Yes | No | Yes |
| Follows national appraisal standards (USPAP) | No | No | Yes |
| Accepted by courts, the IRS, insurers, and the county | No | Rarely | Yes |
Find your situation below. Each appraisal is prepared by Robert personally and written for the purpose you need it for.
Price your home right from day one. An independent value helps you avoid sitting on the market or leaving money on the table, and gives you support when negotiating with buyers.
Learn more →Know the value before you make an offer. A buyer's appraisal helps you avoid overpaying, especially on unique homes or in a fast-moving market.
Learn more →Selling without an agent? A professional appraisal gives you a defensible asking price and something concrete to show buyers.
Learn more →Moving for work? A relocation appraisal establishes your home's value for your employer's relocation program so the move can stay on schedule.
If your home has gained value, you may have reached 20% equity sooner than scheduled. An appraisal can help you ask your lender to drop private mortgage insurance. Check your lender's requirements first, since many must approve the appraiser.
Learn more →In California, if your home's market value has dropped below its assessed value, you can ask the county for a temporary reduction. An appraisal documents the market value to support your request.
Learn more →Your home is likely your largest asset. A current value helps you and your financial planner make decisions about refinancing, retirement, and setting up a trust.
Learn more →An unbiased value both spouses can rely on for a buyout, refinance, or sale, as of today or the date of separation.
Learn more →Inherited a home? The value on the date of death generally becomes your new tax basis, which can greatly reduce capital gains tax when you sell.
Learn more →Help for executors and trustees who need to divide, distribute, or sell a home fairly and document its value for the IRS.
Learn more →After a fire, storm, or other disaster, an appraisal can document your home's value before and after the damage to support your insurance claim. Retrospective values are available, including before the January 2025 fires.
Measures how much value your home lost because of damage, construction defects, or another problem, even after repairs. Often used in insurance claims and lawsuits.
If a dispute over your home's value goes to court, Robert can testify to his appraisal and explain it clearly to the judge.
Learn more →Your home's value must be reported in a bankruptcy filing. An independent appraisal gives you and your attorney a supported number for your schedules and exemptions.
Learn more →Facing foreclosure or a short sale? A current value helps you understand your options and supports your discussions with the lender.
Learn more →Public records and listings are often wrong about square footage. An accurate measurement protects you when pricing, buying, or appealing taxes.
Learn more →Appraisals for manufactured homes, which call for their own comparable sales and know-how.
Learn more →On a deadline? Rush service is available in 1 to 2 days, depending on the type of report.
Learn more →Not sure what kind of appraisal you need? Start with a conversation about your situation and your options.
Learn more →Robert Howlett is a California Certified Residential Appraiser, the highest residential license level, and carries additional designations from the Appraisal Institute. He also spent 18 years as a real estate agent, so he knows how buyers and sellers think about a home.
Licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) at the highest residential level.
The Appraisal Institute's residential designation, earned through advanced coursework, a peer-reviewed demonstration report, and years of experience.
Specialized training in reviewing other appraisals. If you think a lender's or another party's appraisal is wrong, Robert can review it.
See what each designation requires and how designated appraisers compare with state-licensed appraisers.
Choosing an appraiser you can trust can save you thousands of dollars, whether you are buying, selling, or lowering your costs.
We walk you through the appraisal and make sure all of your questions are answered.
We make your experience stress-free by being efficient, transparent, and easy to reach.
Call, text, or request a free quote. Tell us about your home and why you need the appraisal.
Robert inspects your home, notes its condition and improvements, and analyzes comparable sales in your neighborhood.
You receive a detailed report, typically within about 3 days of the inspection, and Robert is available to answer your questions.
Online estimates never see the inside of your home. They can't account for condition, upgrades, views, or problems, and they can be off by a wide margin. A licensed appraisal is based on an inspection and supported comparable sales.
Usually not. Lenders order their own appraisals for loans. A private appraisal is for your own decisions and for uses like divorce, estates, tax appeals, insurance, and pricing a sale.
Typically about 3 days from inspection to completed report. Rush service of 1 to 2 days is available, depending on the type of report.
Someone should be there to let Robert in and answer any questions about the home. Call us and we will find a time that works for you.
A list of upgrades and repairs with approximate dates, any permits, and anything unusual about the home or lot. This helps make sure nothing is missed.
Call today or fill out our free quote request form. Tell us what the appraisal is for, and we'll recommend the right report for your situation.