Estate Appraisals in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
When a loved one passes away, the executor needs to know what the home was worth on the date of death. We provide a certified, date-of-death appraisal that your lawyer, accountant and the Canada Revenue Agency can rely on, usually within 2–3 days.
- Value as of
- Date of death (or today)
- Who relies on it
- Executors, estate lawyers, accountants, CRA
- Turnaround
- 2–3 days after inspection
- Signed by
- P.App., CRA
A designated residential appraiser, certified by the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC)
Who This Is For
- Executors filing the deceased's final (terminal) tax return
- Estates paying Ontario Estate Administration Tax (probate)
- Families where one sibling is buying out the others
- Estate lawyers and accountants who need an independent value on file
Why the Date of Death Matters
On death, the Income Tax Act treats the property as sold at fair market value (a "deemed disposition"). If the home was not the principal residence for every year, capital gains tax may apply. Probate is also based on the estate's value on that date. A retrospective appraisal establishes that value with evidence from sales that happened around the date of death, not today's market.
What's in the Report
- Fair market value as of the date of death, signed by a designated appraiser
- Comparable sales from that period, with adjustments explained
- Description of the home, its condition and the neighbourhood
- Photos, and the market conditions at the time
- Prepared to the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP)
How It Works
- Request a quote with the address and date of death.
- We confirm your fee in writing within one business day.
- We inspect the home (or, if it has been sold or changed, work from records and photos).
- You receive the signed PDF report, typically in 2–3 days.
What We'll Need from You
- Property address and the date of death
- Executor's contact details, and the lawyer's or accountant's if you'd like a copy sent
- Access to the home, or photos if it has changed since then
- Any renovations or problems with the home you know about
Common Questions from Executors
Can you appraise a home as of a date in the past?
Yes. Retrospective appraisals are routine for estates. We use sales and market conditions from around the date of death.
The home has already been sold. Can you still help?
Often, yes. We can work from the sale records, listing photos and your description of the home as it was.
Will CRA accept your report?
The report is prepared by a designated member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada to CUSPAP, which is the standard accountants and CRA expect for fair market value.
Does the executor have to be present for the inspection?
No. Anyone who can give us access is fine, or we can arrange a lockbox.
Can the lawyer or accountant get a copy?
Yes. Just tell us who to send it to when you request your quote.
Settling an estate? We'll make this part simple.
Send the address and date of death, and you'll have your exact fee in writing within one business day.