Should you appraise your home?

Experienced Bay Area family law attorneys will tell their clients that in a divorce, real estate is often the most valuable asset that needs to be divided between the parties. To determine the fair market value of the property, it is common to hire a real estate appraiser. Alternatively, you could ask a realtor for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to estimate the value of the property. Just be careful, as some realtors may be a bit "overenthusiastic" about the price they think they can achieve. And if the estimates from the CMAs differ significantly, it might be a good idea to get an appraisal to settle the matter once and for all. Just be sure to choose an appraiser who is objective and impartial, otherwise, the whole process could be a bit of a "home" wreck.