Determining benchmark value for land

[Ms3r4ISU]

For those who've been through this before or know where to find this info:
To close an estate we need to get a value on property. I initially thought this meant through a certified appraisal. Based on what I'm learning, I'm now not sure that's the only way to a legal/court-recognized value. Where do I find this information in Iowa Code or federal regulations?

EDIT: this is to establish a value. No property is being sold.

 

[IcSyU]

Use the assessor's page to find similar sales in the county the land is in. I have seen it accepted but I've also seen it rejected which is ludicrous because that's all a CVA is going to do.

 

[BCClone]

For those who've been through this before or know where to find this info:
To close an estate we need to get a value on property. I initially thought this meant through a certified appraisal. Based on what I'm learning, I'm now not sure that's the only way to a legal/court-recognized value. Where do I find this information in Iowa Code or federal regulations?

EDIT: this is to establish a value. No property is being sold.

Use the accessors sales list from the last 12 preferred (but up to 18 if light) of non in-family sales. Easiest is to break it down by CSR price and then multiply your land by that. It’s not exact but will give a method to the madness to work.

One other option is to talk to an appraiser and have ask them what they are seeing per CSR (a loan officer may be an option also) and use that. That is what I did.