Realvals

Realvals is a Marin County appraisal and real estate valuation firm with a strong focus on property tax work. Founded by licensed appraisers who got tired of seeing clients accept inaccurate assessments, the firm now handles assessment reviews, formal appeals, and appraisal consulting for property owners across the North Bay. The team brings actual appraisal credentials to the table, which matters in contested cases. When Marin County's Assessment Appeals Board sees a certified appraisal report backed by a licensed professional, it carries more weight than a self-prepared comparable sales grid. Realvals combines that professional standing with a practical, client-friendly approach that doesn't make the process more complicated than it needs to be.

Realvals offers property tax assessment reviews, formal appeal support, and certified appraisal reports for residential and commercial property owners in Marin County and surrounding areas. Their assessment review service starts with pulling the county's data on your property and comparing it against recent market activity to spot discrepancies. For residential clients, they handle single-family homes, vacation properties, coastal properties, and multi-unit buildings throughout Marin. They know the micro-market differences between neighborhoods in San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, and Tiburon, which matters when identifying the right comparables for an appeal. Commercial services include income-based valuation analysis for income-producing properties, cost approach reviews for specialized properties, and expert witness testimony when cases go to formal hearings. Realvals also provides independent appraisal reports for purchase disputes, estate planning, divorce settlements, and refinancing in addition to tax work. The breadth of their appraisal practice means their valuations reflect real market conditions rather than just tax appeal strategy.

Realvals begins with a no-cost consultation to review your assessment notice and property details. They ask for your recent tax bill, any permits or improvements on record, and information about any sales activity on the property. From there, they conduct their own market analysis. If they find grounds for an appeal, they'll give you a clear recommendation along with an estimate of the potential savings. They handle all the filing with Marin County's Assessment Appeals Board and manage communications with the assessor's office throughout the process. For cases requiring a formal hearing, Realvals prepares a complete appraisal report and presents the case directly. Their licensed appraisers testify on your behalf and respond to any questions from the board. Most Marin County cases settle before a formal hearing, but the firm prepares every case as if it will go to hearing, which tends to produce better settlement outcomes.

Realvals serves all of Marin County, including San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito, Fairfax, San Anselmo, and Corte Madera. They also take cases in Sonoma County and can handle matters in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area when a client needs an independent appraisal report for litigation or formal proceedings.