What should you not tell an appraiser?

You should not tell an appraiser what value you want or need the item to be. Doing so can compromise independence and reduce the credibility of the appraisal.

Avoid statements that steer the outcome, such as:

• “I need this to be worth at least X”
• “My accountant says it should come in higher”
• “Can you make it work for insurance or taxes?”

What is helpful is factual information. Share purchase records, prior appraisals, provenance, condition issues, and restoration history. Withholding damage or repairs can also create problems if the appraisal is later relied upon.

A strong appraisal is built on objective facts and market evidence. The appraiser’s role is to analyze the data, not confirm a predetermined result.

Learn more about our personal property appraisals.