Eminent Domain Appraisals
Before a public agency finalizes a taking, owners need to understand what the acquisition is worth and how it affects the rest of the property. We provide independent valuations tied to proposed public acquisition and the property interests affected.
Eminent domain is the government's power to acquire private property for public use, with compensation to the owner. Our role at this stage—often before a formal taking proceeding—is to value the property interest the agency proposes to acquire and to assess the impact on the remainder. This is an appraisal assignment tied to a specific legal framework, and the value question is defined by the applicable statute, the nature of the acquisition, and the facts of the case.
Eminent domain and condemnation are closely related—one is the power, the other the proceeding that exercises it. This page addresses valuation needs associated with a proposed acquisition; our Condemnation page addresses valuation support connected with formal taking proceedings and disputes. We coordinate with the owner's attorney on the legal standard that applies and do not provide legal advice or guarantee a particular outcome.
When Clients Need This Service
Owners and their attorneys engage us when a transportation authority, utility, municipality, or other agency with eminent domain authority has identified a property for acquisition but the taking is not yet final. This often involves a partial acquisition—a strip of land, a slope easement, a drainage or access easement—where the question is what the acquisition is worth and what damage, if any, it causes the remainder.
For example, a highway department may plan to widen a road and needs a sliver of a commercial site's frontage; the owner wants an independent view of the value of that strip and whether the loss of parking or access harms the rest of the property. Early valuation helps the owner and counsel respond to the agency's offer or negotiate before the matter proceeds to formal condemnation.
What the Analysis Considers
The factors relevant to this assignment vary with the property and the question being asked. Depending on the agreed scope, the analysis may consider:
- The property interest to be acquired—fee, easement, temporary or permanent—and its scope
- The value of the acquired interest under the applicable legal standard
- Impact on the remainder: access, parking, visibility, utility, or developability
- Highest and best use of the property before and after the proposed acquisition
- The applicable statute and definition of value, confirmed with counsel
- Comparable sales, easement, and cost evidence relevant to the interest taken
- Whether a cost-to-cure or diminution-in-value analysis applies to any remainder damage
Not every assignment applies all three valuation approaches. The approaches used depend on the property type, available data, and the assignment's intended use.
Documents & Information That May Help
Providing the following can streamline an assignment, but not every item is required to begin. We can discuss what is available during the initial call.
The agency's acquisition notice, plat, or easement description
Property survey and title commitment
Site plans, parking layouts, and access points
Existing leases and rent roll
For income property
Correspondence from counsel on the legal standard
How the Engagement Works
Every engagement begins with a conversation so the scope, fee, and timing fit the property and the question you need answered. A typical engagement moves through these stages:
Initial discussion
We learn the proposed acquisition, the property, and the questions counsel needs addressed.
Scope confirmation
We confirm the interest to be valued, the before/after framework, fee, and timing.
Inspection & research
We inspect the property and research comparable sales and easement evidence.
Analysis
We value the interest to be acquired and assess any remainder impact using the appropriate approach.
Delivery & support
We deliver the report and support counsel in responding to the agency or, if it proceeds, in condemnation.
Scope, fees, and timing depend on the property type, assignment complexity, and the report format the client or intended user requires. We confirm these in writing before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this service.
Closely Related Services
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Tell us about your property and what you need the valuation to address. To help us respond quickly, please include the property address, property type, assignment purpose, the relevant valuation date, and your requested completion date.
Gold Rush Appraisal provides commercial real estate valuations across the Atlanta metro area. Call us directly or send the details through the form and we'll get back to you promptly.
404-882-7881