ISA CAPP Certified Personal Property Appraiser

Expert Appraisals

When you are settling an estate, resolving a legal matter, or planning ahead, you need a clear and defensible value for your belongings. As an ISA CAPP certified appraiser with more than 30 years in the estate sale industry, I provide personal property appraisals and guide you through each step.

Alyssa R. Stevens, ISA CAPP, ISA Certified Appraiser of Personal Property

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Matisse painting of a woman resting her head on her hand, gazing at a goldfish bowl — Henri Matisse, *Woman before an Aquarium*, 1921–23. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

About my certified appraisal service

I have worked in the estate sale industry for more than 30 years, and that experience allows me to determine the value of your items accurately. I know how personal property is bought, sold, and valued, and I use that knowledge to guide you through a process that can feel overwhelming during a loss, a legal matter, or a major life change.

I provide personal property appraisals for estate tax settlements, probate, equitable distribution, divorce, trusts, estate planning, charitable donations, potential sales, and insurance coverage. I also provide expert witness services and conduct online auctions.

I also have an art background and hold a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). That training, together with my estate sale experience, helps me identify, evaluate, and describe fine art, antiques, and decorative arts with a trained eye.

As a certified appraiser, I appraise on-site and remotely, and I travel for appraisal work.

Every appraisal states its purpose and the value standard used, such as fair market value or replacement value, and follows USPAP, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

As a certified appraiser, I work with executors and personal representatives, estate and divorce attorneys, trustees, accountants, and families who need a credible, independently prepared valuation.

Certified appraisal services

Estate tax appraisals

The Internal Revenue Service and many states require a qualified appraisal when the value of an estate exceeds the applicable threshold and an estate tax return (IRS Form 706) is filed. I appraise personal property at fair market value as of the date of death, or as of the alternate valuation date when the estate elects it.

The IRS also requires a room-by-room evaluation and inventory of the residential contents. I complete both and provide a written, USPAP-compliant appraisal report your attorney, accountant, or executor can use with confidence.

Exemption thresholds change over time and differ by state. Please confirm the current figures with your attorney or tax advisor.

Equitable distribution appraisals

Dividing a loved one's belongings among heirs can be difficult, even in close families. An impartial appraisal gives everyone documented fair market values to work from, so the division can be fair and transparent.

Depending on the needs of the estate, I can appraise the total contents of a home or a specific list of items.

Probate appraisals

The probate court requires an inventory and expert appraisal of the estate's personal property and assets. I prepare a clear, organized inventory and appraisal report, stating fair market value as of the date of death, to help the executor or personal representative meet that obligation.

Divorce appraisals

A personal property appraisal gives both parties and their attorneys a neutral, professional valuation of household contents and personal property to rely on. It supports an equitable disbursement of property and keeps the settlement focused on facts.

Trust inventory appraisals

Most estates are part of an established trust. An inventory and appraisal establish the fair market value of the property at the time it became subject to the trust. That record helps trustees carry out their duties and shows beneficiaries what the trust holds.

Estate planning appraisals

Whether you own a home full of family heirlooms or a carefully assembled collection, planning ahead gives you more options. An expert appraisal helps you prepare in advance for estate tax, distribution, or donation, and gives you peace of mind that your treasured objects will be handled appropriately after you are gone.

Charitable contribution and donation appraisals

When you donate art, antiques, collectibles, or other personal property to a charity, the IRS may require a qualified appraisal to support your tax deduction. I appraise the fair market value of donated property and prepare a written, USPAP-compliant report for you and your tax preparer.

Requirements, including IRS Form 8283, depend on the type and value of the property. Please confirm them with your tax advisor.

Insurance and damage or loss appraisals

A current insurance appraisal documents the replacement value of your belongings, so you can confirm that your coverage matches their value and have the documentation you need if a loss occurs.

If property is damaged, lost, or stolen, I can prepare a damage and loss appraisal report to support your insurance claim.

Appraisals for potential sale

Before you sell or consign art, antiques, jewelry, rare books, timepieces, or other personal property, an independent appraisal tells you what it is worth in the current market. You can then set realistic expectations, choose the right way to sell, and evaluate offers with confidence.

Because I have more than 30 years in the estate sale industry, I know how property is presented, marketed, and sold, and what buyers are paying.

Expert witness services

When the value of personal property is disputed, my appraisal may need to be explained and defended. I can provide expert witness testimony in litigation involving personal property, such as divorce and estate matters.

Attorneys and parties can rely on an ISA CAPP certified appraiser to present supported conclusions clearly and answer questions about how a value was reached.

On-site and remote appraisals

I offer on-site appraisals, where I inspect and document your property in person, and remote appraisals for property that can be evaluated from photographs and documentation.

I am also willing to travel for appraisal work. If your property is outside my local area, contact me to discuss the assignment and what is needed.

Fees

I charge by the hour for appraisal work. The total depends on the size of the assignment, the type of property, and the research and reporting it requires. Contact me to describe your property and purpose, and I will explain what to expect.

My fee is never based on the value I determine.

Types of property I appraise

Whether the items are in your home or part of a collection, I appraise a wide range of personal property, and my art background (BFA) informs my work with fine art and decorative arts.

Fine art
Antiques
Residential and household contents
Furniture and decorative arts
Silver and china
Collectibles
Rare books
Jewelry
Timepieces and watches

Seurat pointillist painting of Parisians relaxing in a sunny park by the river — **Fine art.** Georges Seurat, *A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884*, 1884–86. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Kandinsky painting of brightly colored houses in a village — **Modern art.** Vasily Kandinsky, *Houses at Murnau*, 1909. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Rodin bronze sculpture of a striding headless male figure — **Sculpture.** Auguste Rodin, *The Walking Man*, modeled 1877–1900. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamp with a dragonfly shade — **Decorative arts.** Clara Driscoll, Tiffany Studios, *Dragonfly Lamp*, by 1906. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Art Nouveau panel by Mucha of a woman holding a daisy — **Art Nouveau.** Alphonse Mucha, *Woman with Daisy*, c. 1898/1900. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Nineteenth-century American silver tea service — **Silver.** Gorham and Thurber, *Tea Service*, 1850. Art Institute of Chicago, CC0 Public Domain.

Online auctions

In addition to appraisals, I conduct online auctions for estates, collections, and individual items. With more than 30 years in the estate sale industry, I know how property is presented, marketed, and sold, and what buyers are willing to pay.

Appraisals and auctions are separate services. Contact me to discuss which one fits your situation.

Why work with me

ISA CAPP certifiedCAPP is the highest credential awarded by the International Society of Appraisers. It requires 900 documented hours of appraisal reporting, a certification examination, and a multi-objective appraisal report evaluated by ISA.
USPAP-testedAs a certified appraiser, I follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, the recognized professional and ethical standard for appraisers.
Confidential, personalized serviceI protect your privacy and follow the confidentiality requirements of USPAP, and I explain each step in plain language.
A written report you can rely onEach appraisal is documented in a written report that states its purpose and the value standard used, so your attorney, accountant, court, or insurer can review it.
Art background, BFAMy Bachelor of Fine Arts and art training inform how I examine, identify, and document artwork and other objects.
30+ years in the estate sale industryDecades of hands-on estate sale experience mean my values reflect how property is actually bought and sold.

Common questions

Are you a certified appraiser?

Yes. I am an ISA CAPP certified appraiser. CAPP stands for Certified Appraiser of Personal Property, the highest level of credentialing offered by the International Society of Appraisers.

Are you an IRS qualified appraiser?

ISA identifies Accredited Member status as the minimum level for its appraisers to be considered qualified appraisers for federal tax purposes. As a certified appraiser, I hold ISA CAPP, ISA's highest credential. Requirements depend on the type of filing, so I recommend confirming them with your attorney or tax advisor.

What is a date-of-death appraisal?

A date-of-death appraisal determines the fair market value of personal property as of the date the owner passed away. It is used for estate tax returns (IRS Form 706), probate, equitable distribution among heirs, and trust inventories. When an estate elects the alternate valuation date, I appraise as of that date instead.

Can you help us divide a parent's belongings among heirs?

Yes. An equitable distribution appraisal gives every heir the same documented values to work from. I can appraise the entire contents of a home or a specific list of items.

Will your appraisal meet probate or IRS requirements?

I prepare appraisals in accordance with USPAP and ISA standards, and I deliver a written report. Requirements vary by court, state, and filing, so I recommend confirming what your situation requires with your attorney or tax advisor.

Do you appraise items donated to charity?

Yes. I appraise the fair market value of donated personal property and prepare a written report you can give to your tax preparer. The IRS has specific appraisal and reporting rules for charitable contributions, so please confirm them with your tax advisor before you donate.

Do you testify as an expert witness?

Yes. I can provide expert witness testimony in matters involving the value of personal property. Contact me to discuss your case and the timeline.

How much does an appraisal cost?

I charge by the hour. The total depends on the number and type of items, the purpose of the appraisal, and the research and report required. Contact me with a description of your property, and I can explain what to expect.

Do you offer remote appraisals, and will you travel?

Yes. I offer both on-site and remote appraisals, and I am willing to travel for appraisal work. Some assignments, such as a room-by-room inventory of a home's contents, call for an on-site inspection. Contact me to discuss which approach fits your property and purpose.

Can you appraise items before I sell them?

Yes. A pre-sale appraisal gives you an independent opinion of fair market value before you sell, consign, or auction property. Appraisals and auctions are separate services, so you can use my appraisal to decide how and where to sell.

Do you conduct auctions?

Yes. I conduct online auctions for estates, collections, and individual items. Contact me to talk through your property and your goals.

Do you appraise real estate?

No. My work covers personal property, such as furnishings, art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles. If you also need the value of a home, I can coordinate with the real estate appraiser so the two assignments stay clear.

How do I get started?

Contact me to describe your situation and the purpose of the appraisal. I will explain what is needed and how the process will work.

Let's talk about your appraisal

Fruitcocktail Appraisals and Estate Sales is built on trust. Tell me about your situation, and as a certified appraiser, I will help you understand the true value of your belongings.

Contact a certified appraiser

Vincent van Gogh, The Flowering Orchard, 1888. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain.