Commercial appraisal questions
Who provides the commercial appraisal?
Kevin O'Brien, MAI, SRA, Certified General appraiser, California License #3005065, reviews the property and proposed assignment before engagement.
Which Los Angeles property types can I discuss?
The service pages cover multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and special-use real estate. Describe the actual asset and any business or equipment interests so Kevin can confirm the scope.
What should I send for a fee and delivery estimate?
Send the address and AINs, property type, available leases and operating statements, requested valuation date, purpose, intended recipient, and deadline. Ask Kevin for a written scope, fee, and delivery estimate.
Does an assessment appeal always require a professional appraisal?
Revenue and Taxation Code section 1603(a) calls for an application with the claimed facts and the applicant’s opinion of value. It does not itself require a professional appraisal. Confirm the instructions for your Los Angeles County assessment matter.
Is testimony included?
Testimony is not assumed; whether Kevin O'Brien appears at a deposition or hearing is agreed in writing at engagement.
Can a buyer’s report also be used by a lender?
Confirm that with the lender before ordering. Its ordering, eligibility, intended-user, and reporting instructions may differ from a buyer’s due diligence assignment.
What does an inspection cover?
The scope defines the property areas and access needed for the appraisal. Provide plans and available condition reports. An appraisal inspection does not replace a building, engineering, or environmental investigation.
How is a retrospective date handled?
Identify the effective date with the adviser or recipient who needs the value. For a Pasadena trust-owned building, for example, provide the leases, income, expenses, and condition evidence from that date and identify subsequent changes.
What if the street address and assessor record differ?
Give Kevin the AIN, each entrance or address alias, and existing deed or title documents. A Los Angeles corner storefront may use an address different from the assessor’s record.
Who receives the report?
The engagement identifies the client, intended users, delivery recipient, and permitted use. Confirm those details before assuming another owner, adviser, court, or lender may rely on the report.
For assessment evidence and the source for section 1603, read property tax appeal preparation. For financing reliance, read lender ordering instructions.
Describe your property and valuation questionWhat types of commercial properties do you appraise in Los Angeles?
We appraise multifamily (apartment buildings, residential complexes), office buildings, retail properties (shopping centers, storefronts), industrial (warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing), and special-use properties (hotels, self-storage, gas stations, etc.) throughout Los Angeles County.
What assignment purposes do you handle?
We provide USPAP-compliant appraisals for tax appeals, estate planning, gift tax reporting, divorce/partner dissolution, litigation support, pre-purchase decisions, portfolio repositioning, charitable donations, eminent domain, and lending purposes.
How much does a commercial appraisal cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Commercial appraisal fees vary based on property type, size, and complexity. You'll receive a fixed quote after a brief intake discussion covering the property details and assignment requirements.
How long does a commercial appraisal take in Los Angeles?
Standard turn time is 1–3 weeks from inspection. Rush appraisals available; complex properties or those requiring extensive income analysis may require additional time.
Do I need a certified appraiser for tax appeals in California?
Yes. Tax appeal boards and assessment review committees typically require a USPAP-compliant appraisal prepared by a state-certified appraiser to support property tax challenges.
Can you provide expert witness testimony in Los Angeles County?
Yes. We provide expert-witness testimony, depositions, and rebuttal analysis in coordination with counsel for litigation support, eminent domain, and other legal proceedings.
What's the difference between a commercial appraisal and a broker's opinion of value?
A broker's opinion (BOV) is a marketing estimate; an appraisal is an independent, USPAP-compliant valuation by a state-certified appraiser. Courts, the IRS, and lenders typically require a certified appraisal.
Do you provide appraisals for IRS gift tax reporting?
Yes. We complete qualified appraisals that meet IRS requirements for gift tax reporting, including transfers of partial interests and family limited partnership interests in real property.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Los Angeles and all of Los Angeles County, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Silver Lake, Pasadena, Brentwood, Venice, and surrounding areas.
What information do I need to provide for a quote?
We'll need the property address, property type (multifamily, office, retail, industrial, special-use), approximate size, current income information if available, the purpose of the appraisal, and your desired deadline.
How do I schedule a commercial appraisal?
Call us at (213) 232-7807 or fill out our contact form. We'll provide a fixed quote and can typically schedule an inspection within a few days.
Will I receive a copy of the appraisal report?
Yes. The client (or their representative) receives the complete appraisal report. For divorce or partnership dissolution appraisals, both parties typically receive copies.
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