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Bank-TrustedReliable value opinions lenders requireLicensed California Real Estate Appraiser
Trusted local property appraisals, made simple.
Friendly, dependable valuations that banks, attorneys, and homeowners across the Greater Bay Area rely on — delivered fast, written in plain English, and always with a real person on the phone.
~1 wkTypical turnaround
USPAPCompliant reports
20+ yrsAppraisal experience
E&OInsured
Quick Fee Quote
Tell us about the property and we'll send our price and estimated turnaround.
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USPAP CompliantMeets or exceeds professional standards⚡
Fast TurnaroundPDF reports, usually within a week📍
Local ExpertDeep knowledge of your neighborhoodWelcome
Hi, I'm Herman — glad you're here.
Whether you're buying, selling, settling an estate, or just want to know what a property is really worth, you'll get a straight answer, a fair price, and a real person on the phone — no call centers, no runaround. I'd be happy to help however I can.
— Herman Gill, Licensed California Appraiser
What Clients Say
Trusted by homeowners & professionals
A few words from the people I've helped across the Bay Area.
★★★★★
Herman made the whole process painless. He explained everything in plain English, answered every question, and had our report back faster than we expected.
HomeownerOakland, CA
★★★★★
We needed an appraisal to settle an estate, and Herman handled it with real care and professionalism. Clear, thorough, and right on time.
Family TrusteeModesto, CA
★★★★★
I've worked with a lot of appraisers. Herman is responsive, knows the local market cold, and his reports always hold up.
Real Estate AgentSan Francisco, CA
What We Do
Appraisals for every situation
When you need to know the true value of a property, you need a professional. From starter homes to luxury new construction, we deliver unbiased, defensible valuations.
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Lending & Purchase
The dependable value opinions banks and top lending institutions require for home loans and refinances.
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Pre-Listing & FSBO
Price your home right the first time. An objective valuation before you list — or sell it yourself with confidence.
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Property Tax Appeals
If values have declined, you may be overpaying. A Gill's appraisal is your best evidence to challenge an assessment.
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PMI Removal
Once your equity crosses 80%, we document your home's value so you can drop Private Mortgage Insurance and lower your payment.
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Estate & Probate
Fair-market valuations for settling an estate — handled with the confidentiality and discretion USPAP requires.
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Divorce & Separation
Neutral, court-admissible value opinions — including retrospective (past-date) values — so both parties can divide or buy out a home fairly.
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Expert Witness & Litigation
USPAP-compliant appraisals and expert-witness support for attorneys — prepared to hold up in court and in settlement negotiations.
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Relocation
Accommodating scheduling and a thorough process for relocating employees and families moving in or out of the Bay Area.
What We Appraise
Every kind of residential property
From a downtown condo to a waterfront estate, we appraise the full range of residential real estate across the Bay Area.
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Single-FamilyDetached homes (SFR)🏢
CondominiumsAttached & high-rise🗝️
Co-opsStock cooperatives🏘️
2–4 UnitsSmall multi-family💎
Luxury EstatesHigh-value & custom🌊
WaterfrontBay & shoreline homes🌳
Land & LotsVacant residential land🚚
ManufacturedMobile & modular homesOur Process
How a property gets appraised
An unbiased opinion of what a buyer could expect to pay — or a seller receive — built on a thorough inspection and up to three proven approaches to value.
Property Inspection
We view the home in person — beds, baths, living areas, condition — and sketch the layout to confirm square footage and note features or defects.
Sales Comparison
Recent comparable sales are adjusted feature-by-feature to reflect your property. Usually the most important approach for a home sale.
Cost & Income
Replacement cost sets an upper limit on value; for rentals, the income the property yields is weighed against area rents.
Reconciled Report
We combine every approach into a clear, jargon-free market-value report — delivered as a PDF, typically within a week.
Beyond the Mortgage
More reasons to get an appraisal
A mortgage isn't the only time a certified, independent valuation pays off. Unlike an agent, an appraiser has no vested interest in the sale price.
Tax Appeal
Lower your property taxes
In areas where values have dropped, an appraisal is your strongest evidence to challenge a Stanislaus County assessment.
PMI
Stop paying PMI
Prove your loan balance is below 80% of value and the appraisal often pays for itself in just a few months of savings.
Divorce
Settle a home fairly
A neutral, court-admissible market value so both parties can price a sale — or a buyout — knowing they got a fair assessment.
Estate
Settle an estate
Establish Fair Market Value for probate, bound by USPAP confidentiality and handled with discretion.
Relocation
Relocating in or out
Flexible scheduling and a detailed process that factors in the details only you know about your property.
FSBO
Sell for the right price
Don't sell short or sit on the market. Know what improvements add value and what a fair asking price really is.
Home Seller Services
Set your price right from day one
Your house is only worth what a buyer will pay. It's hard to look at your own home objectively — we'll tell you what you need to know, not just what you want to hear. Beyond a smart asking price, a professional appraisal can:
- Give you an advantage at the bargaining table
- Reassure buyers with written proof of your home's condition
- Surface repair issues before they stall a closing
- Reduce the odds of surprises that make a sale fall through
- Provide a second opinion before you sign a listing contract
1 weekor less to your PDF report
Where We Work
Serving the Greater Bay Area
Automated valuation models look cheap on paper, but lenders still call for a local expert because the stakes are high. We know what a feature is worth — an extra bath, a remodeled kitchen, a bigger lot — in the neighborhoods we cover every day, from the East Bay across the Peninsula and into the Central Valley.
Not sure if you're in our area? Just call 510‑508‑1729 and ask — we're happy to help.
San Francisco
Alameda
Contra Costa
San Mateo
Santa Clara
Marin
Sonoma
Napa
Solano
San Joaquin
Stanislaus
Highlighted counties on the map are the areas I currently serve.
Good Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about appraisals — what they cost, how long they take, and where they can be used.
How is an appraisal different from a Zillow "Zestimate" or an agent's CMA?
A licensed appraisal is an independent, USPAP-compliant opinion of value based on an actual inspection and verified comparable sales — not an automated estimate or a figure from someone with a stake in the sale. That's why lenders, courts, and the IRS accept it.
How much does an appraisal cost and how fast can I get it?
Fees vary with the property's area, complexity, and type, along with the purpose of the appraisal — so every quote is tailored to the assignment rather than one-size-fits-all. Most residential reports are delivered as a PDF within about a week, often sooner. Request a fee quote and we'll send an exact price and estimated turnaround.
Do you cover my area?
Gill's Appraisals serves the Greater Bay Area — including the East Bay, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Stanislaus County. Not sure if you're in range? Just call 510‑508‑1729 and ask.
Can I use an appraisal for a property tax appeal, divorce, or estate?
Yes. Independent appraisals are regularly used for property-tax appeals, divorce settlements, and estate/probate (date-of-death) valuations. Attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners rely on them, and every report is prepared to meet or exceed USPAP standards.
What is USPAP?
The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — the national code that governs how appraisals are performed and reported. Every Gill's Appraisals report meets or exceeds it, which is what makes a valuation credible and defensible.
How should I prepare for the inspection?
Have any recent upgrades, permits, or HOA documents handy, and note any recent neighborhood sales you'd like considered. A typical inspection takes about 30–60 minutes depending on the size and type of property.
Gill's Appraisals
Licensed California Real Estate Appraiser
Lic. #AR035074 · 20+ Years · E&O Insured
Lic. #AR035074 · 20+ Years · E&O Insured
Meet Your Appraiser
Herman Gill
California Licensed Real Estate Appraiser · Lic. #AR035074 · 20+ Years · E&O Insured
You're not routed through a call center — you work directly with the appraiser who inspects your property and writes your report. With more than 20 years of experience, every valuation is unbiased, defensible, and grounded in a deep, day-to-day knowledge of Greater Bay Area neighborhoods.
Reports are clear and plain-English — you don't need to be a real estate attorney to read them — and they meet or exceed the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Have a question after you've read your report? Just call or email; you'll get a quick, personal response.
Get In Touch
Request your fee quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we'll send our price and estimated turnaround time. Expect a quick, personal response.
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Phone & Cell510‑508‑1729
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Emailhermangill@gmail.com
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Mailing AddressPO Box 8900, Emeryville, CA 94662
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TurnaroundTypically one week or less — delivered as a PDF
Herman Gill · California Licensed Real Estate Appraiser · Lic. #AR035074