What does a personal property appraiser actually do during a home visit?

A personal property appraiser walks through the home, identifies the items within the scope you agreed on, and inspects them for maker, materials, age, condition and any repairs. They take photographs and measurements and note marks, signatures or labels that help with identification.

The visit is mostly about gathering information. The research and valuation usually happen afterward, when the appraiser compares your items with recent sales of similar pieces and prepares a written report. Expect the report to take days or weeks depending on the size of the job.

You can make the visit go faster by gathering receipts, prior appraisals, provenance letters and family history ahead of time. Let the appraiser know about anything stored in closets, attics or safe deposit boxes so nothing important is missed.