PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL SERVICES

For Consumers.

There are many reasons you might want to consider hiring a professional appraiser

To determine the value of an estate’s personal property for equitable distribution
To determine the value of personal property for divorce
To file a 90 Day Inventory form with the State of North Carolina for Probate
To update your insurance policy
To sell personal items or collections
To know the value of items to be donated

For Professionals.

Wealth managers, estate planning and divorce attorneys, and the insurance industry can benefit from services provided by a professional appraiser:

Estate planning or estate tax, equitable distribution, gift tax, property division in divorce, simple inventory, charitable contributions (non-cash) and even insurance coverage are reasons to hire a professional appraiser.

You want to retain a professional, USPAP compliant appraiser who has no bias or interest in the property to be appraised. This will ensure that the value conclusion is independent and will clarify questions of value under any circumstances, resulting in the best outcome for your clients. The appraisal report itself should be in compliance with USPAP regulations, to ensure legal requirements are satisfied and the report is thorough and accurate. What is USPAP? “The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is the generally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession in the United States. USPAP was adopted by Congress in 1989, and contains standards for all types of appraisal services, including real estate, personal property, business and mass appraisal. Compliance is required for state-licensed and state-certified appraisers involved in federally-related real estate transactions.” (The Appraisal Foundation). Although USPAP compliance is required for real property appraisers and not for personal property appraisers, you will want to hire a personal property appraiser who has taken the extra steps towards education, training and compliance, in the best interest of you and your clients, especially if the appraisal services are used for IRS related purposes.

Why Hire Me.

I’m a graduate of the National Auctioneers Association Graduate Personal Property Appraiser program, the Carolina School of Personal Property Appraisers and have completed the requirements to become USPAP compliant. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) was adopted by the United States Congress in 1989 following the problems caused by the savings and loan crisis and defines a set of recommended procedures, regulations and ethical standards for appraisers. Why is it important to hire USPAP compliant appraiser? Because USPAP protects the interests of the client.
You Want Integrity and Competence.

My appraisal fees are not based on the appraised value of your items. One of the key features of USPAP is that the appraiser may not charge an appraisal fee that is based on the appraised value of the items included within the appraisal report. It’s easy to see how this could lead to situations where an appraised value could be inflated to increase the appraisal fee, but historically this practice did occur.
To ensure your appraisal is done ethically and professionally, USPAP rules require that appraisers meet competency requirements, must be non-biased and impartial in their appraisal report, and keep detailed work files of their findings for a period of five years.
Let's Get Started.

If you are seeking an appraisal of your personal property, and especially if you are seeking an appraisal that will be used for legal purposes such as possible litigation or IRS issues, you should always look for an appraiser who is USPAP compliant. While voluntary, USPAP compliance is a mark of professionalism and ethical standards and serves to protect users of appraisal services.