There are three general approaches to valuating property. The cost approach, income approach and sales comparison approach. For valuating farmland, the most applicable method of determining value is the sales comparison approach. That being said, it is often difficult to compute a value for farmland based on comparable sales since the diversity of characteristics which effects the desirability properties in California is difficult to quantify. Such diversities may include: location, size, water availability, soil quality, topography, access, zoning etc. Nevertheless, our resourses allow us to develop lists of properties that have conveyed in a target area. When we are asked to compile an opinion of value for a property, our final report is supstanciated with comparable sales and appropriate adjustments.

Our office offers a service for those in need of a broker's opinion of value. Estates sometimes require these reports for estate planning. We charge a fee to produce the report which may range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the scope of the report. If the owner of the property ultimately decides to sell the property with our company, we credit that charge back to the Seller at the close of escrow.

For a sample of one of our reports, click here