Residential appraisals · Hampton Roads, Virginia
What is a divorce appraisal?
A divorce appraisal is an independent opinion of a home's market value used to help spouses and their attorneys make property decisions during a divorce. It provides a supported value for settlement discussions, a potential buyout, or a decision to sell.
I'm Joe Ellington, Virginia Licensed Residential Appraiser. I provide divorce home appraisals throughout Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. Before I begin, we discuss the property, who needs the report, and the decision it will support.
Photo by Joe Ellington. Illustrative property.
Start with your decision
What decisions can an appraisal support?
Knowing the home’s value can give the people involved a common starting point. How the property and its equity are ultimately divided is a separate decision for the parties and their advisors.
One person wants to keep the home
An appraisal provides the home value used in buyout discussions. Mortgage debt and the agreed division of equity are separate questions. My divorce home buyout guide explains the distinction.
The home may be sold
A current value opinion can inform conversations about a sale. If you are preparing to list, see our pre-listing appraisal service.
There is disagreement about value
A written appraisal explains the property information, comparable sales, and analysis behind the opinion. If an appraisal already exists, ask whether an appraisal review fits your question.
An impartial opinion
How I develop an independent value
I inspect and measure the home, research its condition and features, and compare it with relevant sales. I give more weight to the most similar properties and consider how much adjustment each sale needs. I do not simply average sale prices or use the highest sale in the neighborhood.
The analysis must support the value, regardless of who orders or pays for the appraisal. A preferred buyout amount does not determine the home's market value. If something in the property description appears incorrect, send me the specific fact and supporting information so I can review it.
How it works
What to expect
Define the report
To arrange a home appraisal for divorce, send me the address, who needs the report, and your deadline. I confirm the assignment, required value date, fee, and expected delivery before work begins.
Gather property facts
I arrange access, inspect and measure the home, review relevant records, and research the local market. Tell me about renovations, repairs, or damage so I can investigate the property accurately.
Understand the value
My written report explains the property, comparable sales, adjustments, and value conclusion. I can answer questions about the analysis; your attorney addresses the legal division of property.
Practical preparation
What to have ready
Start with the address, access arrangements, and any instructions from your attorney or mediator. I find a written list of improvements, repairs, and their dates more useful than a general statement that the home was renovated.
- The home’s address, your contact information, and the requested effective date.
- Who is ordering the appraisal and who needs to receive or use the report.
- A way to coordinate access to the home, including any scheduling constraints.
- Available information about additions, renovations, major repairs, or known damage.
- For a past-date value, photos or documents that help show the home’s condition at that time.
If you want a general property preparation list, you can download the homeowner checklist (Word document). Tell me about any access or safety concerns when scheduling.
Before you order
Common questions
Can one spouse order the appraisal?
Yes. One spouse can contact me to discuss an assignment. I clarify the client, intended users, and report delivery before accepting the work. If both spouses need to rely on the report, tell me at the outset. Who pays does not change my obligation to provide an impartial opinion.
What if we disagree about the appraisal?
Start with the specific concern. I can review a factual error or explain the comparable sales and adjustments. A different preferred value, by itself, does not establish an error. If you already have an appraisal and need an independent assessment of that work, ask about our appraisal review service.
Who receives the report?
I agree on the client, intended users, and authorized recipients before starting. I do not release a private report to someone simply because they ask. Where client authorization is needed, I obtain it. Confidentiality remains subject to professional standards and applicable law. Read my guide to private appraisal report sharing.
Is appraised value the same as home equity?
No. The appraisal develops an opinion of the property’s value. Equity also depends on mortgage balances and potentially other financial obligations. Your financial or legal advisors can help you address those amounts.
Can you value the home for a date in the past?
A divorce appraisal can address a current value or a past value, depending on the assignment. A retrospective appraisal specifically addresses an earlier date. Confirm the needed date with your attorney; I then assess whether the available property and market evidence can support that assignment.
Is a divorce appraisal the same as a refinance appraisal?
They serve different purposes. A divorce appraisal supports property decisions for the identified client and intended users. A lender sets its own requirements for a mortgage or refinance and may require a separate appraisal. You can also read about our mortgage refinancing appraisal service.
How much does it cost?
The fee depends on the property, effective date, research required, and scope of work. A past-date appraisal or a complex property may require more research. I confirm the fee, inspection availability, and expected report delivery before work begins. Contact Joe with the address and your deadline for a quote.
More ways we can help
Related services and guides
Past-date valuation
Need the home’s value as of a specific earlier date? Explore retrospective appraisals.
Before selling
Planning to put the home on the market? Explore pre-listing appraisals.
Review an existing report
Have a question about another appraisal’s methods or conclusions? Explore appraisal reviews.
Browse all residential appraisal services, meet Joe Ellington, or read our appraisal articles.
Professional background: The Appraisal Foundation guidance on confidentiality and appraisal responsibilities.
Areas I serve
I serve homeowners and attorneys throughout Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. Find appraisal information for the community where the home is located:
Virginia Beach Norfolk Chesapeake Portsmouth Suffolk Hampton Newport News York County Williamsburg Poquoson
Watch the video
Meet Joe Ellington
I'm Joe Ellington of Capital Valuations, serving Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads. In this video, I introduce independent divorce home appraisals that can support informed discussions about a home, including a potential buyout or sale.
Request a quote
Request an appraisal
Share the property address, the decision you need help with, who will use the report, and your deadline. I will discuss the scope, required value date, fee, and next steps with you.
