Appraisal and closing support for land allocation
SAN MATEO COUNTY PROPERTY OWNERS
Reviewed August 27, 2026 · Updated for current federal bonus-depreciation guidance
Peninsula values make basis support the first priority.
San Mateo County property includes life-science and office campuses, medical buildings, apartments, hotels, neighborhood retail and light-industrial facilities. High acquisition prices can include substantial nondepreciable land, so a useful screen starts with a supportable allocation before projecting any faster depreciation.
- ✓ No study work before payment
- ✓ CPA-ready final report
- ✓ California statewide
WHY IT MATTERS
Move eligible basis into faster recovery periods.
A Peninsula study should reconcile the appraisal, closing allocation, construction records, tenant allowances and fixed-asset schedule. Laboratory infrastructure, structured parking, seismic work and repeated tenant buildouts may have different owners, functions and placed-in-service dates. Those facts matter more than a broad percentage applied to the purchase price.
Plain English: you are not creating a new deduction. You are identifying when supported pieces of the property may be depreciated.
WHAT WE REVIEW
San Mateo County records and systems to review
Life-science, medical and specialty office buildouts
Laboratory equipment schedules and dedicated connections
Apartment, hotel and retail renovation layers
Structured parking, surface improvements and site amenities
Seismic work, additions and tenant projects by year
SHOW ME THE NUMBERS
Illustrative Peninsula commercial example
Illustrative only. This assumes a 37% federal marginal rate where shown and that the owner can currently use the deduction.
- Property value
- $12,000,000
- Estimated depreciable basis
- $7,800,000
- Potential faster basis
- $1,404,000 to $2,106,000
- Potential upfront federal effect
- $519,000 to $779,000
- Study or comparison benchmark
- $15,000 to $30,000+
This is a timing illustration, not guaranteed permanent tax savings. California commonly requires a separate depreciation schedule because it generally does not conform to federal bonus depreciation.
DOES IT FIT?
Strong candidates usually have four things.
✓
Income-producing or business property in San Mateo County
✓
Recent acquisition, construction or substantial renovation
✓
Land, tenant and equipment basis can be separated
✓
Owner expects to hold while deductions can be used
STATEWIDE COVERAGE
Serving owners throughout the region.
San MateoRedwood CitySouth San FranciscoBurlingameDaly CitySan CarlosFoster CityMenlo Park
PORTFOLIO PRICING
More properties. Lower cost per study.
Order and pay for the properties together to receive a simple portfolio discount.
2 properties5% off3 to 4 properties10% off5+ properties15% off
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions.
Why is land allocation important on the Peninsula?+
Land is not depreciable and may represent a large share of a San Mateo County acquisition. The building and improvement basis should be supported before any component classification begins.
Can a South San Francisco laboratory buildout be studied?+
Potentially. The owner must separate scientific equipment from real-estate improvements and document whether specialized systems serve qualifying equipment or the building generally.
Are structured and surface parking treated the same?+
No. Surface land improvements and structural parking can have different tax treatment. Plans, costs, function and physical facts should be reviewed separately.
Is the free estimate a completed study?+
No. It is an illustrative screen using the facts you provide. No engineering takeoff, professional certification or tax opinion is included. Technical work begins only after a signed and paid engagement.
Does my CPA need to approve the study first?+
No. It is smart to ask whether you can currently use additional depreciation, but the paid study does not require advance CPA approval. Your CPA makes the final filing decision.
Do you guarantee tax savings?+
No. A study accelerates the timing of eligible depreciation. Results depend on basis, property facts, placed-in-service dates, passive-loss rules, tax rates and the owner's filing position.
AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES
Reviewed against current IRS and California guidance.
Last reviewed August 27, 2026. Tax rules and procedures can change. Your CPA should confirm the law that applies to your acquisition date, placed-in-service date and return.
FREE PRELIMINARY PROPERTY SCREEN