California Certified Residential Appraiser
Real Estate Appraiser in Los Angeles
Randy M. Sonns is a California Certified Residential Appraiser based in Canoga Park who prepares real estate appraisals for homeowners, buyers, sellers, executors, spouses and attorneys in the Los Angeles area. Choose the appraisal that matches your purpose, then ask for a quote.
Canoga Park office, Los Angeles and Ventura County
35 cities and neighborhoods on the service areas list
The work
What a real estate appraiser does for you
A real estate appraiser gives you a written opinion of what a property is worth on a stated date. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes an appraisal as an independent assessment of value that can also show how a property compares with others in its neighborhood. That independence is the reason an appraisal carries weight when money, ownership or a legal decision depends on a number.
A complete appraisal report names the property, the date the value applies to, the purpose and the people who may rely on it. It then shows the evidence behind the number: the features of the property, the recent sales of similar homes, and how the differences between them were weighed. Reading that evidence is how you judge whether a value is credible, so a good appraiser expects you to ask about it.
Randy M. Sonns, the real estate appraiser behind this site, works from Canoga Park in Los Angeles County. You can read more about Randy M. Sonns and his locally owned practice, which handles residential, estate and divorce matters. If your property or purpose is different, the page for other property appraisals explains how to check before you order.
Services
Choose by purpose
Every appraisal states why it was prepared and who may rely on it. Naming the purpose first keeps the report useful for the decision you actually face, so start with the card that matches your situation.
Residential appraisal
See residential appraisalFor an owner, buyer or seller who needs a market value for a home. A residential appraisal in Los Angeles covers single-family homes, two to four unit residences, custom-built homes, luxury estates and new construction, with an on-site inspection and a comparable sales analysis.
Estate appraisal
See estate appraisalFor an executor, trustee or heir who needs a value as of a stated date, often the date of death. An estate appraisal in Los Angeles records that date and the intended user, and it works from the property records the estate holds.
Divorce appraisal
See divorce appraisalFor a spouse, attorney or mediator who needs a neutral value of the family home. A divorce appraisal in Los Angeles fixes the valuation date and the report recipients before the visit, which keeps both sides working from the same facts.
Other property types
See other property typesFor an owner with land, a mobile home or a commercial property. These requests need a question before an order, so start with other property appraisals to see which license scope applies.
Step by step
How an assignment works
Randy publishes the same five steps on his residential appraisal page, and this is what each one means for you.
Consultation
You describe the purpose of the appraisal, the property and the date that matters. Randy confirms what is needed and schedules the on-site visit.
Property inspection
He looks at the home's condition, upgrades, layout and site, because those details separate one house from another.
Market analysis
He reviews recent comparable sales and current local trends to see what buyers have paid for similar homes.
Valuation report
He prepares the written appraisal report, which states the value, the date it applies to and the intended use.
Delivery and review
The report is delivered to you electronically so you can read it and, if you have questions, ask.
Have these ready before the visit: the property address and how to enter every area, a dated list of improvements and repairs, and any documents that describe the property. For the longer explanation, read how a home appraisal works. Timing and fees depend on the property and the purpose, so ask for them when you request a quote. A good first call also covers who will receive the report, because the people who may rely on it are named in the report itself.
Credential
Credentials and proof
The credential you can check yourself matters more than any description on this page. The California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers lists Randy M. Sonns as a Certified Residential appraiser with an active status and a current term that runs to July 18, 2028, as observed on October 8, 2026. His initial credential date on that record is May 1, 1992.
Do not take that on trust. The guide on how to verify an appraiser walks through the state lookup step by step, and the same steps work for any appraiser you consider. The state record shows the license level, the status and the dates, which is the proof worth asking for.
Documents
Certificates and documents
Scans of the documents behind the credential above. Each opens at full size, and the official records below are the ones to check.
State license
California real estate appraiser license
- Issued by
- California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA)
- Title
- Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser
- Appraiser ID
- AR 004056
- Effective
- July 19, 2026
- Expires
- July 18, 2028
A copy of the license certificate. The state record is the one to check.
Open the full-size license scan (opens in a new tab)
Association membership
National Association of Real Estate Appraisers membership
- Issued by
- National Association of Real Estate Appraisers
- Member since
- June 5, 1992
- Expires
- August 31, 2027
An association membership certificate. It is separate from the state license and does not replace it.
Open the full-size membership scan (opens in a new tab)
Historical document
Errors and omissions insurance declarations, 2024 to 2025
- Document
- Insurance declarations page
- Policy period
- June 20, 2024 to June 20, 2025
Shown as a past document for that policy period only. It is not proof of current insurance.
Open the full-size historical declarations scan (opens in a new tab)
In their words
Client reviews
These are client reviews of Randy M. Sonns, shown as written, with the reviewer's name, the date and a five-star rating.
"I found Randy online without a referral of any kind. After discussing my project here in Pacific Palisades on the phone with Randy, I knew right away that he was the right guy for the job. Randy quickly started work on my appraisal. His research on the conditions of the market and research of comparable homes has given me excellent documentation for my home....I feel very content and satisfied with his evaluation. I might add also; Randy is not only a very educated pro at appraisals , but he is also very personalable,very kind , and very respectful. Thank you Randy... I look forward to working with you on future projects."
Keith Carrington, April 4, 2024, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "He did it in a hurry for me. Great guy! Easy to work with. Tons of experience. I definitely recommend him to anyone."
Dawn Swartout, March 29, 2024, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Randy is super informative. Helpfull and amazing, definitely recommend him for investment appraisal. He knows my area very well."
Sevag Demirjian, January 11, 2024, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Randy is a true professional and an excellent appraiser. He has a marvelous sense of humor and was very thorough in conducting my property appraisal. I highly recommend him."
jimmyq, October 31, 2023, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Randy was great - very communicative, understanding of the situation, quick to reply and complete the appraisal process. Would definitely recommend!"
Joey, October 12, 2023, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "I had a wonderful experience with Randy. He was friendly, professional and very thorough. Went above and beyond. I would 100% recommend his services to anyone!"
Angela R., August 19, 2023, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "The best. Great service. Highly recommended."
Lucy Olvera, August 8, 2023, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Professional, detailed appraiser who finished the appraisal quickly and accurately."
Derrick Olson, June 24, 2023, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Randy is very quick and professional. I'm so glad I found him, I would recommend him to anyone. He is very knowledgeable and explained everything in great detail."
Miranda De La Cruz, November 19, 2022, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review "Great service and price, professional, friendly and informative...Thanks again Randy!"
Dima Nev, July 20, 2022, 5 out of 5 stars, Google review
Read more client reviews on the Google listing for this business.
Overview
Where Randy works
Randy M. Sonns is based in Canoga Park and takes appraisal requests for property across Los Angeles County and Ventura County cities and neighborhoods. The service areas page lists 35 of them, including Ventura County cities such as Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles County cities such as Westlake Village, Burbank and Santa Monica, and Los Angeles neighborhoods such as Encino, Venice and Westchester. Open the page for your city or neighborhood to see local context and how to ask about a specific property.
How do I find a reliable real estate appraiser in Los Angeles?
Check the state record first, because every California appraiser is listed with a license class and status. Then ask about experience with your purpose, the scope of the report and how the fee is set. The guide to questions to ask an appraiser lists the questions to bring to a real estate appraisal.
What types of appraisals does Randy M. Sonns do?
Randy M. Sonns prepares residential, estate and divorce appraisals for residential property in the Los Angeles area. Land, mobile homes and commercial property are a separate question, because they can fall outside the residential scope of his license. Ask before ordering, and describe the property so he can tell you whether he can help.
Where does Randy M. Sonns take appraisal requests?
Randy M. Sonns takes appraisal requests for property in the Los Angeles County and Ventura County cities and neighborhoods listed on the service areas page. Fit depends on the specific property, so give him the address and the purpose before you order, and he will confirm whether he can prepare the real estate appraisal.
How can I verify an appraiser's license?
Search the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers record by name or license number. The record shows the license level, status and dates, and the federal Appraisal Subcommittee registry lists appraisers too. The verification guide walks through each field, so you can check any real estate appraiser before you hire.
How much does an appraisal cost, and how long does it take?
Cost and timing depend on the property, the purpose and the access you can give, so no fixed figure applies to every real estate appraisal. Randy gives you the fee and the delivery timing when you describe the property, before you decide to order, and you can compare them with other quotes.
What does the report include?
A report names the property, the purpose, the date the value applies to and the intended users. It then shows the comparable sales and the reasoning behind the value, so you can follow how the number was reached. Ask what scope applies to your real estate appraisal if a lender or attorney is involved.
How do I order an appraisal?
Use the contact form or call (310) 429-3569, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm. Tell Randy the purpose, the property address and the date the value must apply to, and say who should receive the report. He replies to confirm the scope and arrange the visit for your real estate appraisal.
What happens after I contact you?
Randy responds to confirm the purpose and the property, then schedules the visit and explains what to have ready. After the inspection and market analysis he prepares the written report and delivers it electronically. For other common questions about a real estate appraisal, read the appraisal FAQ.
Next step
Ask for an appraisal
Tell Randy the purpose, the property and the date that matters, and he will confirm what is needed. Call (310) 429-3569 Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, or Request an Appraisal online. The office is closed on Sunday.
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Closed on Sunday.
Sources5 sources
- California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers: Certified Residential requirements and scope
- license levels
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What are appraisals and why do I need to look at them?
- California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers license search
- Appraisal Subcommittee national registry record