Eminent Domain
Appraisals

The assignment is an appraisal of the property or property interests affected by the proposed acquisition, concluded under a value definition appropriate to the matter and a stated intended use. It may value the whole property or the part taken and any damages to the remainder, depending on scope. The deliverable is a written appraisal report documenting the scope, property, evidence, and value conclusion. It is valuation support, not legal representation.

Property owners and their attorneys use eminent domain appraisals when a public entity proposes to acquire property or rights and a supported value is needed to inform negotiations or preparation. For example, an owner whose commercial property is affected by a proposed road widening may want a value of the part taken and any damages to the remainder. Legal strategy is determined with counsel.

The analysis considers the property's characteristics and condition, the interests affected, the applicable value definition and intended use, and market evidence. Where a partial taking is involved, it may consider the value of the part taken and damages to the remainder. The valuation approaches applied depend on the property type and data. The conclusion is a supported opinion of value, not a guarantee of a settlement or outcome.

We begin by discussing the proposed acquisition and the value question to confirm scope and the value definition. After agreeing on scope, we inspect the property when appropriate, research comparable market evidence, analyze the data, and deliver a written appraisal report. Scope, fees, and timing depend on the property and the complexity of the taking.