Appraisal Services

Nora Curl offers written appraisals in accordance with ISA/USPAP standards set forth by the IRS; she does not, however, purchase or broker any objects that she appraises.

All written official written estate, insurance and donation purpose appraisals conform to the 2024 Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and to the standards and requirements set forth in the International Society of Appraisers’ Code of Ethics and Appraisal Report Writing Standard.

Feel free to email me at info@appraiseantiques.com or through the contact page to set-up a no-obligation email discussion of how I can be of service to you.

WRITTEN APPRAISALS
A written appraisal is required for many appraisal purposes.  If you need to insure items, inherited an estate that requires taxes, or you are involved in a legal dispute, you will need a written appraisal by a qualified professional.  Written appraisals are made by initially conducting an on-site inspection. During the on-site inspection, I record the item’s condition, dimensions, descriptions, and I take digital photographs.  Back in the office the descriptions are finalized, necessary research is conducted, and appropriate values are assigned to each item. Reports are delivered electronically or by hard copy in the postal mail. A copy of the final report and work file is retained in Nora Curl’s secure files and held for a period of five years or two years after the final disposition of litigation (if applicable), whichever is later, as required by USPAP. 

Fees start at $225/hour plus $1.25 per travel mile. 

In general, every 1 hour of on-site inspection time entails another 2 - 3 hours of in-office research and writing time to complete your written document. 

Online Valuation
If you are downsizing and curious about the value of your items or considering purchasing and/or selling items, an online appraisal may be the best and most economical option for you. Online valuations do not require an in person inspection, you only need to provide clear, in-focus pertinent digital photographs. Understand that Online Valuations are not official written appraisals accepted by the IRS, Insurance Companies, nor in a Court of Law. (Pay button here)

So you need an official written appraisal, here is what you should do:

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE ON-SITE INSPECTION
•    Decide which items you want to have appraised.
•    If there are items in the attic, closets, garage, or storage units, make sure they are accessible.
•    Unpack items in drawers, boxes, trunks.
•    Put things of like kind together.
•    Arrange china and glass by patterns.
•    Sort sterling from silver plate, if possible.  

•   Artwork hanging on walls should be taken down and propped against a wall on the floor.    
•     Gather receipts, certificates of authenticity, photographs, or earlier appraisals and place them with the appropriate items.
  •    Move large pieces of furniture away from the wall if possible.
  •    If this is an estate appraisal and if there is a will, make sure that all items specifically bequeathed are available for inspection.

Taking these steps will streamline the appraisal process and ultimately save you money.

A COMPETENT APPRAISAL REPORT HAS . . . 
•    A cover document explaining in detail what type of value or cost is being sought (“purpose”) and how the appraisal is to be used (“intended use”).
•    The description of the methodology and resources relied upon.
•    A definition and description of the market(s) selected.
•    A complete and accurate description of the items property written in such a manner that it can be identified without photographs.
•    The inspection date(s) and location(s) and the effective date of the report.
•    A current USPAP certification statement. Competent appraisers must take a USPAP update course every two years.
•    The appraiser’s qualifications and signature.

DO NOT ACCEPT AN APPRAISAL IF . . .  
•    It is handwritten or unsigned.
•    The fee is based on a contingency fee or on the value of the property.
•    The appropriate “purpose” and “intended use” are not stated.
•    The item is beyond the appraiser’s expertise.
•    The appraiser lacks training in appraisal methodology.
•    The appraiser is not willing and able to defend the appraisal in court.
•    The appraiser prepares the appraisal report in anticipation of buying items from you after the report is completed.