How to Find a Good Personal Property Appraiser

Personal property appraisers value antiques and furniture, residential contents, machinery, jewelry and any other item that is not real property or attached to land. If you have items of value to donate, insure or sell, a personal property appraiser can be your best ally. Some personal property appraisers are generalists, but most choose areas of expertise and appraise within those fields. Finding a good personal property appraiser requires locating someone with ethics and knowledge in the area of expertise you need.

• 1

  Categorize your items for appraisal to determine the appraisal specialty you need. If you have an entire estate with various items of similar value, you may want to choose a residential contents appraiser. Mostly high-end furniture may require a furniture appraiser. If most of the items are fine jewelry, you will need a jewelry appraiser.

• 2

  Look for an appraiser in your area or the largest town or city near you. Use a known appraisal source like the International Society of Appraisers or the Appraisers Association of America. These organizations require coursework in appraisal techniques and ethics as well as knowledge in the area of expertise. Certification by these organizations shows the appraisers have completed the coursework and passed the tests required.

• 3

  Ask in shops and at shows for the type of item you need appraised. Gun shop owners may know of a gun appraiser; antique dealers can help with antiques appraisers. Do not rely on a shop owner for your appraisal, as he may appraise low and hope you will sell the item to him. Ethical appraisers do not mix appraisals and purchases, and refuse to buy any item they have appraised.

• 4

  Make a list of recommended appraisers so you can investigate each one. Develop a list of several appraisers who might be able to do your appraisal work. Estimate the distance from you, unless you can easily transport the items for appraisal.

• 5

  Telephone each appraiser and ask their credentials. A good personal property appraiser has nothing to hide and will be pleased to discuss her knowledge and experience with you. Certification by the ISA or AAA is a plus. Working with book writers and teaching in the area of expertise are also signs of a good personal property appraiser.

• 6

  Ask the personal property appraiser about charges and costs, including travel time, up front. Inquire as to how you may be able to decrease the expense of the appraisal, if this is of concern to you. Do not accept an appraiser who wants to charge a percentage of the appraised value or who accepts a few of the items for payment.

  Suggest ways to decrease the cost such as providing an inventory on CD in a compatible program for the appraiser, or setting all the items out in the open for viewing. Remember that most appraisers charge by the hour, and the more you can cut the time, the less expensive the appraisal should be. Some appraisers will accept digital photographs taken by the family, although a good appraiser will want to examine the items personally. Appraisers use photos to develop the written appraisal documents and may accept your photos to cut expenses.