1. Contact the Appraiser
When a home is one of the largest assets involved in a divorce, having a credible and well-supported opinion of value can be an important part of making informed financial decisions. Dan Morken is an Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser with more than 30 years of residential appraisal experience and extensive knowledge of the Greater Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana housing markets. Professional residential appraisal services are available for homeowners, attorneys, mediators, and other professionals who need an independent, objective opinion of residential real estate value for divorce or marital property matters.
A Reliable Property Value Can Help Bring Clarity to an Important Financial Decision
Real estate can represent a significant portion of a couple's marital assets. Determining a credible value for the property may be necessary when evaluating a settlement, considering a buyout, dividing equity, preparing for mediation, or establishing the property's value as of a particular date. A professional residential appraisal provides an objective opinion of value supported by relevant market data, comparable sales, property characteristics, and recognized appraisal methodology. The objective is straightforward: provide clients and their professional advisors with a credible, understandable, and well-supported opinion of value.
Residential Appraisal Services for Divorce & Marital Property Matters
Independent residential property valuations for homeowners and professionals involved in divorce or marital dissolution.
An appraisal providing an opinion of the property's current market value based upon relevant market evidence and the property's characteristics.
When appropriate and sufficient information is available, an appraisal may develop an opinion of value as of a prior effective date.
Professional valuation services that can assist the parties and their advisors when evaluating real estate during settlement discussions or mediation.
An appraisal can provide a supported property value for use when the parties are considering one spouse retaining the home and evaluating the associated equity.
Residential appraisal services are available directly to family-law attorneys and other authorized clients who need professional valuation assistance for a marital property matter.
An Online Home Estimate Is Not the Same as a Professional Appraisal
Automated home-value websites can be useful for obtaining a general estimate, but they may not account adequately for the specific characteristics, condition, improvements, location, marketability, and other factors affecting an individual property. A tax assessment serves a different purpose and is not necessarily an indication of current market value. A Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA, is generally prepared by a real estate professional to assist with pricing or marketing a property. It is not the same service as an appraisal performed by a state-certified residential appraiser. A professional appraisal involves property-specific research, market analysis, comparable-sale analysis, and the appraiser's independent judgment to develop a supported opinion of value. For a significant financial matter such as divorce, having a professionally developed and well-supported valuation can provide greater clarity for the parties and their advisors.
Experience Matters When the Assignment Matters
Residential valuation requires more than simply locating nearby sales. Decades of appraisal experience provide perspective in analyzing market trends, property differences, unusual characteristics, and complex valuation issues.
Extensive experience throughout Greater Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana provides important local-market knowledge when selecting and analyzing comparable properties.
The appraiser's responsibility is to develop an independent and impartial opinion of value based upon the property and relevant market evidence—not to advocate for a predetermined number.
Your appraisal is completed by an experienced Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser.
Your appraisal assignment receives professional attention from an experienced appraiser familiar with the local market.
Residential Appraisal Support for Attorneys, Mediators & Their Clients
Family-law professionals may need credible residential property valuations when real estate is part of a marital estate. Appraisal assignments can be completed for current market value or, when appropriate, a retrospective effective date. The appraisal is supported by relevant market research, comparable-sale analysis, and a clearly communicated valuation conclusion. If you are an attorney, mediator, or other professional seeking an appraisal for a client, please contact Dan directly to discuss the property, intended use, effective date, and assignment requirements.
A Straightforward Appraisal Process
1. Contact the Appraiser
Provide the property address and briefly explain the purpose of the appraisal and whether a current or historical value is needed.
2. Define the Assignment
The appropriate client, intended use, effective date, property to be appraised, and other assignment requirements are established before the appraisal begins.
3. Property Research & I...
When an interior and exterior inspection is part of the assignment, the appraiser observes the property's relevant physical characteristics, condition, quality, improvements, and other features.
4. Market Analysis
Relevant market data and comparable sales are researched and analyzed. Appropriate adjustments and recognized appraisal methods are applied when necessary.
5. Appraisal Report
The completed appraisal communicates the appraiser's opinion of value together with supporting information and analysis appropriate for the assignment.
Real estate may represent one of the largest assets in a marital estate. A professional appraisal provides an independent, supported opinion of the property's value that may assist the parties and their advisors when evaluating property division, equity, settlement, mediation, or a potential buyout.
Yes. A retrospective appraisal may develop an opinion of value as of a prior effective date when the assignment is appropriate and sufficient market and property information is available.
Yes. Attorneys may engage an appraiser directly on behalf of a client or for another appropriate intended use.
Turnaround time depends upon the property, assignment complexity, effective date, availability of market data, and current workload. Contact Dan with the property address and assignment requirements for current scheduling information.
When an interior and exterior inspection is part of the assignment, the appraiser observes relevant property characteristics such as size, design, condition, quality, improvements, room configuration, site characteristics, and other features that may influence market value. The inspection is not a home inspection and is performed for valuation purposes.
Generally, the property address and the purpose of the appraisal are the starting points. Depending upon the assignment, additional information may include the desired effective date, ownership information, relevant agreements or documents, information regarding significant improvements, and the appropriate contact for property access.
Online estimates are generally generated by automated valuation models and may not fully account for a property's individual characteristics. A CMA is typically prepared by a real estate professional for listing or marketing purposes. A professional appraisal is completed by a qualified appraiser who analyzes the subject property, relevant market data, comparable sales, and other factors to develop an independent opinion of value.
Whether you are a homeowner working through a divorce, an attorney assisting a client, or another professional involved in a marital property matter, an experienced residential appraiser can help provide a credible and well-supported opinion of value.
Dan Morken — Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser, 30+ Years of Residential Appraisal Experience, Serving Greater Fort Wayne & Northeast Indiana