IRS-Qualified · USPAP-Compliant · Nationwide
Personal Property Appraisers for Life’s Most Important Valuation Decisions
Prestige Estate Services prepares clear, well-supported personal property appraisals for estate tax, probate, divorce, insurance, charitable donations, litigation, estate and trust work, and private planning.
Report Review Standard All reports are reviewed by our board of ISA-certified appraisers holding the Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (CAPP) designation—the ISA’s highest level of accreditation.
Our in-house team handles personal property appraisal work nationwide. In addition, we offer on-site or remote service based on the personal property, location, and intended use.
Professional Expertise Across the United States
Meet Our Appraisers
Meet the personal property appraisers who support Prestige Estate Services assignments nationwide. All of our appraisers are in-house W-2 employees. We do not contract our staffed appraisers. Each appraiser works directly for Prestige Estate Services and is IRS-qualified and USPAP-compliant. In addition, our team uses focused research, clear reports, and recognized appraisal standards for each assignment.
Scroll Through & Meet Our Team!
More Than a Number
What Personal Property Appraisers Do
A professional appraisal turns facts about tangible personal property and market evidence into a clear, well-supported value conclusion. First, our appraisers inspect or document the personal property. They then identify key details, research the right markets, review comparable data, and explain the result in a report suited to its use.
Intended use guides every assignment. For example, an estate tax appraisal may require fair market value as of a date of death, while an insurance assignment may call for a different value type and market. As a result, defining the assignment first helps the appraiser choose the right research, comparable data, assumptions, and report detail.
A Brief Introduction to Our Firm
Meet Prestige Estate Services’ Personal Property Appraisers
Watch this short introduction to learn how our appraisal team helps clients with tax, legal, insurance, estate, and private matters. The video opens on YouTube, so no video player loads with this page.
Watch the Personal Property Appraisers Video
Nationwide Personal Property Appraisal Coverage
Serving Clients Across the Country
Prestige Estate Services coordinates personal property appraisal assignments throughout the United States. Therefore, you can explore our coverage map and contact our team to confirm the right on-site or remote approach for your personal property, location, deadline, and intended use.
Objects, Collections and Contents
Types of Personal Property We Appraise
Our work ranges from a focused collection to the contents of an entire residence. For example, we value fine art, antiques, furniture, decorative arts, jewelry, silver, household contents, collectibles, vehicles, equipment, and other tangible personal property.
The level of detail depends on the assignment and the personal property. For instance, high-value or unusual objects may need their own descriptions and comparable sales. Meanwhile, lower-value household contents may sometimes be placed in logical groups. As a result, the report stays practical while giving key items a closer look.
Personal Property Appraisal Services
Specialized Valuations for Tax, Legal, Insurance and Fiduciary Needs
First, each assignment begins with its intended use. That purpose sets the scope, value type, research, records, and report format.
Next, this page gives a clear overview of the most common personal property appraisal needs. The linked service pages offer more detail. In addition, our team can help select the right service and report for your personal property, deadline, and intended users.
IRS & Fiduciary Support
706 IRS-Qualified Estate Tax Appraisals
For estate tax work, we prepare personal property valuations for federal tax reporting, Form 706 support, probate, and fiduciary review. In turn, our reports define the assignment, document the personal property, review relevant markets, and explain the value conclusions.
- Fair market value conclusions
- Effective-date research
- USPAP-compliant reporting
Probate & Estate Administration
Probate Personal Property Appraisals
For probate matters, executors, administrators, trustees, attorneys, and families use appraisals to document estate contents as of the required date. The report may also support court filings, fiduciary accounting, distributions, and estate administration. In addition, our work covers tangible personal property—including art, antiques, furnishings, jewelry, collections, vehicles, and household contents—not real estate.
- Fair market value as of the required date
- Organized estate-contents documentation
- Support for executors, courts, and fiduciaries
- Explore probate appraisals
Divorce & Marital Personal Property
Marital Assets | Divorce Appraisals
For divorce matters, independent personal property appraisals help attorneys, mediators, and clients document and value furnishings, art, antiques, collections, vehicles, and other marital assets for negotiation, mediation, settlement, or court.
- Independent personal property values
- Marital-asset documentation
- Support for counsel and mediation
Coverage Planning & Scheduling
Insurance Appraisals
For insurance needs, we document and value personal property for scheduling, coverage planning, policy review, and replacement-value support. Therefore, each assignment uses the value type and scope required for its intended use.
- Replacement-value support
- Scheduled personal property
- Coverage documentation
Noncash Charitable Contributions
Charitable Donation Appraisals
For charitable gifts, we appraise art, antiques, collections, furnishings, and other donated personal property. In addition, we help donors, tax professionals, and recipient organizations address the appraisal records tied to Form 8283.
- Qualified appraisal support
- Form 8283 coordination
- Comparable market evidence
Executors, Trustees & Fiduciaries
Personal Property Inventory and Valuation
For estate administration, clear inventories and valuations help fiduciaries review contents, plan the work, record distributions, and find personal property that may need more research or separate treatment.
- Room-by-room documentation
- Logical grouping when appropriate
- Review-ready schedules
Federal, State & Local Agencies
Government and Seized-Asset Appraisals
For public agencies, we value seized and forfeited assets, surplus personal property, agency collections, and other government-held assets. As a result, agencies receive clear records, impartial analysis, and well-supported reports.
- Seized and forfeited assets
- Surplus and collection valuations
- Nationwide project coordination
Attorneys & Litigation Teams
Appraisal Review for Litigation
For litigation, our appraisal review work tests an existing report’s scope, methods, market evidence, assumptions, and reporting. Then, we present objective findings for counsel, fiduciaries, courts, and other intended users.
- USPAP appraisal review
- Methodology assessment
- Rebuttal and expert support
A Practical Starting Point
Online Photo Appraisals
For general value insight, our online photo service offers a useful starting point based on client-submitted images and details. However, it is different from a formal appraisal report prepared for a legal, tax, insurance, or fiduciary use.
- $79 per item
- Convenient photo submission
- General valuation guidance
Focused Reporting for One Client
Restricted Appraisal Report – Restricted Use Appraisals
When one identified client needs a valuation for a limited internal purpose, a restricted appraisal report may provide the right level of reporting. First, we confirm whether the intended use and users make this concise report option appropriate.
- One identified client
- Clearly defined intended use
- USPAP-compliant restricted reporting
Claims, Damage & Loss Documentation
Damage Loss Claim Appraisals
After fire, water, theft, transit damage, or another covered event, a personal property appraisal can document affected items and support the claim review. Then, our research connects the assignment conditions to clear, supportable value conclusions.
- Damage and loss documentation
- Research-backed value conclusions
- Support for claims and disputes
Fair Personal Property Division
Equitable Distribution Appraisals
When personal property must be divided among heirs, beneficiaries, partners, or other parties, independent values create a practical basis for allocation. As a result, decision-makers can compare proposed distributions with clearer documentation.
- Independent personal property values
- Allocation and division support
- Clear schedules for decision-makers
Business Personal Property
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment Appraisals (FFE)
Businesses, lenders, fiduciaries, and legal teams use FFE appraisals to document and value furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment. In addition, the assignment can support transactions, financing, insurance, tax, litigation, or internal planning.
- Furniture and fixture inventories
- Machinery and equipment values
- Purpose-specific reporting
Clear Project Pricing
Fee Schedule
Appraisal fees depend on the number and type of items, inspection method, research needs, intended use, location, and report format. For that reason, our fee schedule explains common pricing factors and helps clients prepare for an accurate project quote.
- Common pricing factors
- On-site and remote considerations
- Project-specific estimates
Professional Protection
Bonded & Insured
Prestige Estate Services maintains professional bonding and insurance for the appraisal work our in-house team performs. This protection complements our IRS-qualified appraisers, USPAP-compliant process, and careful personal property handling.
- Bonded appraisal professionals
- Professional insurance coverage
- In-house W-2 appraisal team
The Right Method for the Assignment
On-Site, Remote and Online Photo Appraisal Options
Not every valuation need requires the same level of inspection or reporting. Therefore, we recommend the approach that fits the personal property, intended use, available records, deadline, and level of support required.
For complex contents, condition-sensitive personal property, large estates, and formal assignments requiring direct inspection.
For appropriate formal assignments supported by sufficient photographs, measurements, records, and client documentation.
For convenient, informal value guidance when a formal appraisal report is not required.
A Defined Path from Question to Report
Our Personal Property Appraisal Process
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Consultation
First, we clarify the intended use, personal property, effective date, timing, access, and available records.
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Scope
Next, we define the value type, inspection method, research needs, and right report format.
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Documentation
Then, we record key details, condition, marks, measurements, photographs, and supporting materials.
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Research
Afterward, the appraiser reviews the right markets, comparable sales, provenance, rarity, and value factors.
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Report
Finally, you receive a clear report that explains the methods, evidence, assumptions, and supported conclusions.
Standards That Support Credibility
What a Professional Appraisal Report Should Establish
A professional personal property appraisal should do more than state a number. In other words, the report should make the assignment easy to follow and show how the appraiser reached a well-supported conclusion.
Clear organization matters to both the client and the intended user. For example, photographs, descriptions, market evidence, assumptions, limiting conditions, certification, and qualifications should work together. As a result, the reader can follow the analysis and understand what the conclusion does—and does not—represent.
Assignment Definition
Intended use, intended users, effective date, value type, personal property interest, and assignment conditions.
Personal Property Identification
Makers, materials, measurements, marks, condition, provenance, and distinguishing characteristics.
Market Analysis
Relevant markets, comparable data, valuation approach, adjustments, and reasoning.
Standards and Qualifications
Applicable requirements, USPAP obligations, disclosures, and appraiser qualifications.
Professional Support Across the Country
Who We Serve
Prestige Estate Services works with individuals and professional advisors who need organized, impartial, and supportable personal property valuations.
For example, our national structure supports one residence, contents at several homes, or family members and advisors in different states. As a result, clients work with one coordinated firm instead of several unrelated local providers. In turn, steady intake, research, reporting, and quality control help attorneys, executors, trustees, tax professionals, insurers, agencies, and private clients rely on the final report.
Common Questions
Personal Property Appraisal FAQs
Every assignment is different. These answers provide a starting point; our team can recommend the appropriate service after reviewing your intended use and personal property.
Appraisal Basics and Service Options
What does a personal property appraiser value?
Personal property appraisers value tangible personal property such as fine art, antiques, furnishings, decorative objects, jewelry, collections, household contents, vehicles, equipment, and specialty assets.
When is a formal personal property appraisal report needed?
A formal report may be required for estate tax and probate matters, charitable donations, divorce and equitable distribution, insurance coverage or claims, litigation, fiduciary administration, and government assignments.
Can an appraisal be completed remotely?
Some assignments can be completed through remote records, while others require an on-site inspection. Therefore, the right method depends on the intended use, personal property type, quantity, condition, available records, and report needs.
Are your appraisal reports USPAP compliant?
Formal appraisal and appraisal review assignments are developed and reported under the current Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice as they apply to the assignment.
Qualifications, Preparation and Scope
What makes an appraiser qualified for an IRS-related assignment?
For a federal tax assignment, the appraiser must satisfy the applicable IRS education and experience rules for the type of personal property being valued. In addition, the appraiser must prepare the required declarations and supporting analysis. Before work begins, Prestige Estate Services reviews the assignment and chooses an appraiser with the right qualifications.
What information should I provide when requesting an appraisal?
Begin with the city and state, intended use, relevant effective date, deadline, approximate quantity of personal property, and available access. Then, provide any photographs, inventories, receipts, prior appraisals, provenance records, or videos of furnished rooms. These records can help our team review the likely scope and recommend an on-site or remote approach.
Why does the intended use affect an appraisal?
The intended use determines which definition of value, effective date, market, research, inspection, and reporting requirements apply. For example, fair market value for an estate tax matter is not interchangeable with replacement value for insurance coverage. Therefore, defining the assignment at the beginning helps the appraiser develop a sound conclusion for the people who will rely on it.
Do you provide real estate appraisals?
No. Instead, Prestige Estate Services provides personal property appraisal services. We do not provide real estate appraisals.
Plan the Right Assignment
Appraisal Information and Client Resources
Services
Begin With a Confidential Consultation
Let’s Determine the Right Appraisal Scope for Your Personal Property
Tell us what needs to be appraised, where the personal property is located, the intended use, and any important deadline. Then, an appraiser can review the likely scope and recommend the next step.
