Frequently Asked Questions — Washington Appraisal

Commercial Appraisals

Overview

Whether you’re a homeowner, attorney, investor, or fiduciary, understanding the appraisal process is essential.

At Washington Appraisal, we aim to provide clarity, transparency, and support before you schedule your valuation.

Below are answers to the most common questions about our services.

If your question isn’t listed, call and our team will personally guide you.

Commercial Appraisals

What types of commercial properties do you appraise?

We handle office, retail, industrial, multifamily, and special-use properties, including data centers, warehouses, and mixed-use assets.

All commercial projects are led by Bobby Awosika, Certified General Appraiser, who specializes in litigation, tax appeal, and investment-grade reports.

Most commercial reports are completed, but timelines vary by property type.
Call us for tailored guidance based on your project.

We apply income, cost, and sales comparison approaches, adjusted to reflect each property’s highest and best use.

Yes. Our reports are regularly accepted in courts, arbitration hearings, and institutional reviews throughout DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Estate & Probate Appraisals

What is an estate or probate appraisal?

It determines fair market value for estate settlement, probate, or inheritance purposes—often as of a specific past date (date of death).

Yes. All estate reports are USPAP-compliant and designed for legal and IRS documentation.

Yes. We specialize in retrospective valuations for estate and probate filings.

Call us for an accurate estimate based on your case.

We typically need the property address, effective valuation date, and estate representative’s contact for coordination.

Divorce & Property Division Appraisals

Are divorce appraisals confidential?

Yes. All divorce-related assignments are handled with complete confidentiality, shared only with authorized parties or counsel.

Yes. We often provide joint or neutral valuations used in mediation or collaborative divorce settlements.

Yes. Our reports are formatted for family court and mediation and accepted across DC, VA, and MD.

Call us to verify your timeline and ensure timely submission.

Yes. Frank John and our team are experienced in expert-witness testimony for court and arbitration settings.

Property Tax Appeal Appraisals

How can an appraisal help reduce property taxes?

A certified appraisal can demonstrate that your property’s assessed value exceeds fair market value, forming the basis of a successful appeal.

You’ll need your assessment notice and any prior reports or relevant property records.

Call us so we can guide you based on your county’s deadlines.

Yes. For example, Larry Matheson saved thousands after submitting our certified report that corrected an over-assessment of his D.C. home.

Yes. Our appraisals meet all local and state requirements for submission in DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Appraisal Consulting

What is appraisal consulting?

It’s a professional analysis that provides valuation guidance and market insight without issuing a formal appraisal report.

Attorneys, developers, banks, and investors use our consulting services for feasibility or pre-acquisition planning.

Call us so we can provide a precise estimate.

Yes. All consulting follows USPAP Standards 4 & 5, ensuring integrity and consistency.

Yes. If additional documentation is needed, we can upgrade the consulting analysis into a USPAP-compliant appraisal.

Trusts & Financial Planning Appraisals

What is a trust or financial planning appraisal?

It determines the property’s market value for trusts, gifting, or estate planning, ensuring proper documentation for legal and tax compliance.

Trust officers, attorneys, wealth managers, and financial planners rely on our valuations for accurate portfolio reporting.

Below is a better answer for …How often should…
The reappraisal frequency is determined by the Trustee’s fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries and the specific needs of the trust document. Generally, a revaluation is essential when a significant event occurs, such as:
● Transfer of ownership (e.g., distribution or sale).
● Taxable event (e.g., filing a Gift Tax return).
● Material market changes that significantly impact value, especially in rapidly appreciating or declining areas.
● Equitable distribution among beneficiaries, which requires a current, defensible value.
A 3-to-5-year review may be prudent for portfolio management, but it is not a fixed legal requirement; the trigger is typically the purpose or event.

Yes. We frequently handle multi-property portfolios for estate and trust administration. To ensure compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), our single-volume reports clearly identify each individual property and provide a separate, supported value conclusion for each parcel, along with an aggregate portfolio value, if required by the scope of work. This format is designed for ease of review by the court and taxing authorities.

Call us so we can provide an accurate estimate for your case.

Need Personalized Guidance?

Contact our team to secure a certified, court-ready valuation in DC, Virginia, or Maryland.

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