Fair Market Value Appraisal
USPAP-compliant Fair Market Value (FMV) appraisals of personal property, artwork, machinery & equipment, cars, boats and more - for the IRS, legal cases, and financial reporting.
Offered by world-class certified appraisers
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Jason Dolph, CAGA
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Tim Roy, ASA, CEA
Justin Ramirez, ASA, ABV, CFA
Marnie Erkelens, CAGA
Raymond Ghelardi, ASA
Aron Blue
About AppraiseItNow's FMV Appraisal Services
We provide USPAP-compliant online (desktop) fair market value appraisals for a wide range of personal property, business assets, and specialized equipment. Our process is designed for accuracy, defensibility, and efficiency—allowing most appraisals to be completed remotely using detailed asset information, photographs, documentation, and market data.
Personal Property & Collections
We appraise individual items and collections of tangible personal property commonly required for estate, tax, insurance, and legal purposes, including:
- Fine art, decorative art, and collectibles
- Jewelry, watches, and gemstones
- Antiques and period furnishings
- Household contents and personal effects
- Memorabilia and specialty collections
Online appraisals are well-suited for estates, trust planning, equitable distribution, and non-cash charitable contributions where assets can be documented remotely.
Machinery & Equipment
Our credentialed appraisers provide online valuations for a broad range of machinery and equipment across many industries, including:
- Industrial and manufacturing equipment
- Construction and heavy equipment
- Medical and laboratory equipment
- Restaurant, hospitality, and foodservice equipment
- Warehouse, material handling, and logistics assets
Desktop appraisals are commonly used for financing, insurance, internal planning, estate matters, and tax reporting.
Vehicles, Boats & Transportation Assets
We appraise many transportation-related assets as personal property, including:
- Passenger vehicles, trucks, and specialty vehicles
- Recreational vehicles (RVs) and trailers
- Boats, watercraft, and marine equipment
- Fleet and multi-unit vehicle portfolios
Valuations are based on condition, specifications, market data, and comparable sales, without requiring physical inspection in many cases. Where marine surveys are required, these will need to be conducted in person.
Business Assets & Inventory
We provide online appraisals for business-owned tangible assets, including:
- Business inventory and stock
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E)
- Office, retail, and trade equipment
- Multi-location or portfolio-based assets
These appraisals are frequently used for estate and gift tax filings, charitable contributions, restructuring, financing, and internal reporting.
Assets We Do Not Appraise Online
While our online process covers most personal property, some assets may require onsite inspection or fall outside our scope, such as:
- Jewelry requiring in-person inspection (if sufficient documentation is available, we can provide this online)
- Assets requiring destructive testing, physical verification, or inspection
- Property subject to jurisdiction-specific inspection mandates
If an online appraisal is not appropriate, we’ll advise you upfront.
Designed for an Online Process, Built for Defensibility
Our online appraisals are prepared by credentialed appraisers, follow USPAP standards, and are accepted for common intended uses including estate and gift tax, charitable donations, insurance, financing, litigation support, and internal planning.
If you’re unsure whether your assets qualify for an online appraisal, our team can quickly confirm feasibility before engagement.
Fair Market Value appraisals for commercial and personal clients
Servicing Commercial & Industrial Businesses
AppraiseItNow serves major businesses and commercial clients, including:
- Banks and lenders
- Industrial companies
- Manufacturers
- Logistics providers
- Finance teams
- CPAs
- Attorneys
- Finanacial Advisors
Servicing Individuals & Households
AppraiseItNow also serves individual consumers with projects large and small. These clients often include:
- High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs)
- Households making large charitable contributions for IRS Form 8283
- Couples going through marital divorce
- Families dealing with estate planning or post-death estate matters
- Individuals dealing with insurance or other third-party claims
- Individuals going through major financial or other life events
We provide online appraisals for legal & tax purposes like donations, estates, financial reporting, and insurance.
Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.
Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:
Tax, Estate & Financial Planning
- Capital gains tax
- Gift and estate tax
- Charitable donations (IRS Form 8283)
- IRA conversions
- Investment reporting
- Estate planning and probate
Transactions, Lending & Investment
- Loan collateral
- Purchase price allocation & cost segregation
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Investment analysis
Insurance & Risk Management
- Insurance coverage
- Insurance claims (Total Loss and Diminished Value)
- Third-party claims
Legal, Compliance & Reporting
- Bankruptcy filings
- Government purposes
- Title bonds
Life Events & Special Circumstances
- Divorce
- Social Security reporting
- E-2 visa applications
Fair Market Value (FMV) Appraisal – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fair Market Value appraisal?
A Fair Market Value appraisal provides an independent, supportable opinion of the price an asset would sell for between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with neither under compulsion to act and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.
FMV appraisals are commonly required for estate matters, charitable contributions, insurance, litigation, financial reporting, and transaction support. Depending on the asset and intended use, the work may be completed remotely or may require an onsite inspection.
What types of items can be valued for Fair Market Value?
AppraiseItNow provides FMV appraisals for a broad range of personal and business property, including:
- Antiques and antique furniture
- Household contents and general personal property
- Fine art and collectibles
- Jewelry, watches, and precious metals
- Residential and commercial furniture
- Machinery and equipment
- Vehicles, boats, and RVs
- Inventory and operating assets
- Business interests and certain intangible assets
If you are unsure whether your asset fits within our scope, our team can confirm before engagement.
Can antiques be appraised for Fair Market Value?
Yes. Antiques are frequently valued for estate planning, probate, charitable donation reporting, insurance scheduling, and legal proceedings.
Appraisers analyze age, materials, construction, condition, provenance, and comparable market evidence to develop a credible and defensible value conclusion.
Do you value antique furniture and modern furniture?
We do. Assignments cover both period pieces and contemporary furnishings, often for estates, trusts, insurance documentation, relocation, or asset division.
Values are supported by condition analysis and verified market data rather than informal price guides.
Do you provide Fair Market Value appraisals for artwork?
Yes. We value paintings, prints, sculptures, photography, and mixed-media works for tax, estate, planning, and collection management needs.
The analysis considers artist attribution, authenticity, medium, size, condition, provenance, and relevant market comparables.
What are FMV appraisals used for?
Fair Market Value conclusions are commonly relied upon for:
- Estate planning and probate
- Trust administration
- Charitable contributions and IRS reporting
- Insurance coverage or claims
- Divorce and legal disputes
- Business accounting and ownership transfers
Each report is developed to align with the specific intended use.
What information will I need to provide?
Most assignments require clear photographs, basic condition details, and identifying information such as serial numbers, signatures, or maker marks where applicable. Any purchase documentation or prior reports can also be helpful.
Once scope is defined, we outline exactly what is needed so there is no guesswork.
Is an onsite inspection required?
Not always. Many FMV appraisals can be completed efficiently using photographs and documentation. In higher-risk or court-sensitive matters, an onsite visit may be recommended.
The appropriate methodology is determined by the intended use and the level of reliability required.
Are your FMV appraisals USPAP compliant?
When required, assignments are performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The report clearly discloses the scope of work, research performed, and any assumptions or limiting conditions.
What other value types can you provide?
While many engagements call for Fair Market Value, we also perform assignments requiring Replacement Cost, Actual Cash Value (ACV), Orderly Liquidation Value, or Forced Liquidation Value. The applicable definition is agreed upon at the start of the assignment.
Will the appraisal be accepted by third parties?
Our reports are prepared by independent, qualified appraisers and are regularly used by CPAs, attorneys, executors, trustees, insurance carriers, and financial institutions.
Because every situation is different, we review any known third-party requirements with you in advance whenever possible.
How long does the process take?
Most assignments are completed within several business days after all required information has been received. Timing depends on asset complexity, research requirements, and report format. Expedited service may be available.
How do I begin?
Provide basic information about the asset and your intended use. Our team will confirm scope, timeline, and pricing, then guide you through the documentation needed to proceed.