Appraisal reports tailored to their purpose.

What is personal property?

Personal property is tangible, movable property that is utilitarian, collectible, decorative, or a combination of the three. An appraiser of personal property must recognize and identify objects — both antique and contemporary, utilitarian and non-utilitarian — and value them using the methodology appropriate to the report's intended use.

Under the code of ethics of the American Society of Appraisers, an appraiser identifies and values the objects for which their training, experience, and accreditation qualify them, and refers to or consults other specialists when an assignment requires it.

Specialties

Residential Contents

General household property — furnishings, decorative accessories, appliances, and utilitarian items — typical of a residential setting or workplace.

Antiques & Decorative Arts

Properties with appreciating values for reasons of age, craftsmanship, artistic merit, or historical significance. (An antique is at least 100 years old.) Decorative arts are crafted objects appreciating in value for reasons of design, function, and aesthetic merit.

Fine Arts

Artistic and aesthetic objects created without function or utility — paintings, works on paper, sculpture, and other fine-art media.

Types of reports

Insurance Scheduling & Claims

Item-by-item documentation supporting insurance policy scheduling, with detailed descriptions, provenance where relevant, and current replacement or fair-market values. For claims following a loss, reports establish pre-loss value and, where needed, post-loss condition and salvage value.

Estate Tax & Estate Planning

Fair-market-value appraisals meeting IRS standards for federal and state estate tax filings, step-up in basis calculations, trust distributions, and proactive estate planning. Reports are prepared to withstand IRS review and are signed under the appraiser's professional responsibility.

Charitable Donation

Qualified appraisals for non-cash charitable contributions of $5,000 or more, prepared in compliance with IRS Form 8283 and associated regulations. Reports identify the property, establish fair market value, and document the methodology used to determine value.

Equitable Distribution & Divorce

Impartial valuations for divorce, dissolution, and family settlements, enabling property to be divided fairly and — where possible — without unnecessary dispute. Reports can be commissioned jointly or by either party, and follow USPAP standards of independence and objectivity.

Damage & Loss

Pre- and post-loss valuations for casualty claims, flood and fire damage, shipping loss, and related matters. Reports establish what was lost, its value at the time of loss, and — where applicable — the extent of diminution.

Liquidation & Sale

Market-grounded guidance when property needs to move — downsizing, estate dispersal, relocation, or marketable cash-value assessment for sale planning.

The appraisal standard

Every report is prepared under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) — the generally accepted set of standards for professional appraisal practice in the United States, recognized by Congress and required by most government agencies, insurers, and professional organizations.

USPAP requires:

• Impartiality and objectivity — an appraiser's opinion of value must not be biased.
• Ethical conduct — adherence to a recognized code of ethics.
• Full disclosure — all relevant information, so the appraisal is understandable and not misleading.
• Confidentiality — assignment information is confidential unless the client authorizes disclosure.
• Competency — knowledge and experience in performing similar assignments.
• Independence — compensation is never tied to the outcome of the appraisal.