We provide professional residential property appraisals for a wide range of needs—from financing and estate planning to litigation and disaster-related valuation. Our team handles everything from single-family homes to complex and historic properties.
Almost all lender appraisal work is ordered by the lending institution or their third-party affiliates. To that end we work with various lenders and Appraisal Management Companies directly. The homeowner or borrower has no say in who performs the assignments. Appraisals will be for purchase money loans, refinances, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Business collateral and for Construction loans. Hard money lenders may order appraisals directly or have their borrower contact an appraiser.
We may be retained by either or both parties, appointed by the court as the court’s expert, retained by attorneys on behalf of their clients or on the recommendation of a mediator. In all situations we recognize the significance of our role in the process. We are a neutral party, advocating only for our opinion. Most importantly, we want to generate a credible value conclusion that takes into account what is known about the condition of the property. To that end we ask parties to share repair and remodeling history and relevant repair estimates.
Estate appraisals are a significant part of our workload. Frequently these are retrospective valuations as of a death where we need to consider the condition of a property as of a prior date. Information about the condition of the property as of the relevant date is vital. Current value appraisals may be needed for trust and estate planning purposes or in situations where property is transferred between trusts or LLCs. Appraisal reports are also ordered for inter-family gifting or for charitable donations.
Reports may be retrospective, to estimate a value of a property prior to a loss. In such cases the data about the property must be recreated from available resources – old files, plans, photographs, and public records. After the Oakland Hills fire in 1991 this office worked on assignments for more than 1,000 houses that were destroyed. Insurance assignments are needed when a property owner wants to establish the insurable value of a home or small income property.
This appraisal work may be an adjunct to a marriage dissolution or estate appraisal assignment or may be related to any manner of dispute that can be imagined with regard to a residential property. There are neighbor disputes that run the gamut from barking dogs to property line disputes. There are inter-parties conflicts between buyers and sellers relating to failures to disclose details about a property and these often involve an allegation of defects that were not fully disclose. Realtors or other inspectors or experts may also be parties presenting opinions we are called on to review and, in some instances, rebut.
Our basic service area is the greater Bay Area with concentration in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We cover the entire northern State of California for specialized property assignments including waterfront and marine properties, historic property, and transient lodging (from B&Bs to resorts and large hotel complexes).
The professionals in our firm draw on a collective experience that goes back decades
With more than half a century of hands-on expertise across residential, commercial, and complex property types, Yovino-Young's ten licensed appraisers bring unmatched depth and accuracy to every assignment. Clients trust us to deliver defensible, well-supported valuations that stand up to scrutiny in legal, financial, and real estate settings.
As Berkeley-based appraisers deeply rooted in the East Bay, we bring unparalleled insight into the neighborhoods, micro-markets, and property characteristics that define Alameda and Contra Costa County real estate. Our local expertise means more precise valuations and faster turnaround times for properties in the communities we know best.
Yovino-Young is the go-to appraisal partner for the Bay Area's top law firms, estate attorneys, realtors, financial planners, accountants, and property managers. Our reputation for impartiality, professionalism and discretion has made us the preferred choice for homeowners and industry professionals who demand reliable, court-ready appraisals.
We take the time to understand each client’s goals so that every report is customized, accurate, thorough and easy to understand. Our clear communication, transparent process, and responsive team make even the most complex appraisal assignments feel straightforward and stress-free.
