Nevada City, California · Serving Northern California
Resources
Practical articles, appraisal tools, and reference material for understanding property value.
Property and value questions
The Accuracy of Zillow
A local look at automated estimates and why unusual properties can be difficult to value from public data alone.
The study and accuracy figures reflect the original 2019 article.
How to Handle the Heat
Heating systems, market acceptance, and questions to raise before a home purchase or appraisal.
Confirm current requirements with the lender for a financed transaction.
Multi-Family vs Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Why two dwellings on one parcel may raise questions about property classification, public records, zoning, and market use.
Historical article; confirm current zoning and ADU requirements with the local jurisdiction.
Will My Summer Project Add Value to My Home?
Questions to consider when weighing the cost of a home improvement against its potential contribution to value.
Understanding home measurement
Why records and floor-area figures can differ, what a measurement service documents, and how to prepare.
Divorce, estates, and ownership
Hiring the Right Appraiser for a Divorce, What Really Matters
How property condition, conflicting repair information, and clear analysis matter when a divorce appraisal is reviewed or challenged.
Planning an estate or trust appraisal
Start with the intended use and valuation date, then gather the property records your appraiser and advisers need.
When you need a value from the past
How a retrospective appraisal considers historical property condition, earlier sales, and the information available for a past date.
Tools for appraisers
Appraisal Redactor
Review suggested redactions and create a separate PDF for report samples, training, or peer review. Free desktop tool; documents are processed locally.
Review the completed copy before sharing.
ShutterDoc
Convert a TOTAL photo-page PDF into a Word document with paired photos and captions.
PDFs are uploaded for server processing. Review the output before using it.
Professional reference and learning
Retrospective appraisal resources
Reference material and example language for appraisers working with historical valuation dates. Adapt examples to the assignment.
Wildfire appraisal resources
Reference links for appraisers researching property damage and wildfire-related valuation questions.
Sample reports and forms
Available blank appraisal forms and information about requesting a suitable report example.
Teaching and presentations
Practical valuation discussions for real estate offices, attorneys, tax professionals, and appraiser groups.
Looking for an earlier article?
Browse the full collection of appraisal articles, local market updates, and practice notes, with their original publication dates.