24-Hour Appraisals for Property Bonds and Bail Collateral
Current value to document equity for a property bond or bail collateral.
California lets a property owner post real estate equity instead of cash bail under Penal Code §1298, but the court must find that the equity is at least twice the bail amount. That finding starts with a current appraisal.
Every day in custody counts
When the appraisal is the last document missing from the property-bond packet, 24-hour delivery gets the packet to the clerk sooner.
What courts and bail agents look for
- Superior courts publish their own property-bond instructions, and many call for an appraisal by a California-licensed or certified appraiser with the license number on the report.
- Some courts require the appraisal to be recent, for example within the last six months, and some specify a report form.
- Bail agents who accept real estate as collateral often want an appraisal to confirm the equity.
What to send
- The court and case number, or the bail agent's name
- The bail amount and any required report format
- Photos, plus your mortgage balance(s) for your own equity calculation
Send photos with your order through the upload page, or attach them to a reply to your confirmation email.
Is a desktop appraisal right for this?
Many courts accept an appraisal without specifying an inspection, but requirements vary by county. Check your court's packet or ask your bail agent before ordering.
If an inspected appraisal is required, Brian Ward Appraisal provides them in San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Prepared for every purpose on this site. Brian Ward has prepared desktop appraisals for every purpose listed on this site. Some situations still call for an inspection-based appraisal, so check with your attorney or tax advisor before you order to be sure a desktop report fits your matter.
Questions
Does the equity need to be twice the bail?
Under Penal Code §1298 the court must find that the equity is at least twice the bail amount. Equity is the appraised value minus the loans and liens against the property.
Do bail agents accept property as collateral?
Many do. Ask the agent which report and effective date they need before you order.
Often ordered alongside
Immigration Sponsors (Form I-864)
Home equity documented for an I-864 Affidavit of Support.
24-hour details →
Bankruptcy
Home values for Chapter 7 and 13 schedules, exemptions and plan math.
24-hour details →
Divorce & Family Law
Current or date-of-separation values for buyouts, mediation and settlement talks.
24-hour details →Need this appraisal by this time tomorrow?
Start the order now. Payment and photos start the 24-hour clock, any day of the week.