6 Ways to Prepare for Your Personal Property Appraisal

Preparing for a personal property appraisal doesn't have to be complicated. A little preparation before your appointment can help us work more efficiently, reduce onsite time, and ensure nothing important is overlooked.

Whether you need an appraisal for insurance coverage, estate planning, charitable donation, equitable distribution, or another purpose, these six tips will help you get the most value from your appraisal appointment.

1. Decide Which Items You Want Appraised

If you have an entire household of belongings, you may only want specific items appraised, or perhaps only those you believe exceed a certain value, such as $500 or $1,000.

Not sure which pieces are worth appraising? That's perfectly fine. I can help identify those items during our appointment.

To make the process more efficient, place a small sticky note or a piece of painter's tape on the items you know you want included. This allows us to move quickly from one object to the next.

2. Unpack and Make Items Accessible

If possible, have the items you'd like appraised unpacked and easily accessible before I arrive.

Time spent opening boxes, emptying cabinets, or retrieving items from storage is time that cannot be spent documenting and evaluating your property. Having everything ready allows us to focus on the appraisal itself.

If your collection is extensive or unpacking isn't practical, please let me know beforehand. In some cases, bringing an assistant may be the most efficient option.

3. Group Similar Items Together

Keeping related items together makes documentation much faster.

For example, gather:

• China or dinnerware services

• Sterling silver or silverplate flatware

• Crystal stemware

• Matching sets of decorative objects

• Collections of similar items

When matching pieces are in one location, it's much easier to inventory and photograph them accurately.

4. Gather Receipts and Previous Appraisals

If you have receipts, invoices, auction records, previous appraisals, or other purchase documentation, place them near the corresponding items.

This information can provide helpful background and may be relevant depending on the intended use of the appraisal. I may also ask when and where an item was acquired.

5. Collect Provenance and Family History

Any documentation that helps establish an item's history can be valuable.

Examples include:

• Family records

• Letters

• Certificates of authenticity

• Auction catalogs

• Historical photographs

• Artist or maker documentation

Even stories that have been passed down through generations can provide useful leads for research.

6. Make Larger Items Accessible

Some objects require inspection from all sides.

Paintings may need to be removed from the wall so I can examine the reverse for labels, inscriptions, condition, and construction. Large pieces of furniture may need to be moved slightly away from the wall to inspect the back or underside, although this isn't always necessary.

If there are any challenges such as limited lighting, difficult access, ongoing renovations, or items stored in multiple locations, please let me know before the appointment so we can plan accordingly.

A Tip for Verbal Appraisal Clients

If you've scheduled a verbal (restricted-use) appraisal, many clients find it helpful to prepare their own inventory of the items they'd like discussed.

Provide me with a copy when I arrive, and I'll record the corresponding values as we move through the property. If you don't have a list, please be prepared to take notes during the appointment.

Because verbal appraisals have limited intended uses, I'm happy to discuss whether this service is appropriate for your situation before scheduling.

Don't Worry if You Can't Prepare Everything

If you don't have time to complete these steps before your appointment, don't worry—we'll work through it together. These suggestions simply help maximize efficiency and make the best use of your appraisal time.

If you'd like to learn more about our appraisal services or request our current fee schedule, contact us at (916) 833-4678 or email ashley@nunneleyestates.com to schedule an appointment.