Why Your Appraiser Is Photographing Every Room — And What You Can Do Before They Arrive!!

When a personal property appraiser documents a home room-by-room, it’s not busywork. Photos and video create a legally defensible record of what existed, where, and in what condition — critical when heirs disagree, items disappear, or the IRS comes asking.

But the smartest estate planning happens before the appraiser shows up.

Here’s how to reduce the volume and complexity of what they’re walking into:

 - Gift now, not later. Transfer meaningful items to family members while you’re living. Cleaner, personal, and out of the taxable estate.

 - Sell and redirect. Convert unused property into cash for heirs or non-named beneficiaries. Simpler than distributing a houseful of stuff.

- Declutter on resale platforms. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark. Less clutter = a faster, less expensive appraisal.

- Donate strategically. Non-cash donations over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal — and the tax benefits can be significant. Loop in your accountant first.

Less chaos at the appraisal table means fewer family disputes and a legacy that lands the way you intended.

Questions about personal property appraisals for estates? Let’s talk.

(P.S. No breach of confidentiality with video contents as the decedent had no heirs and yours truly was not acting as an appraiser)

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/674bf8_92d35dfef7d044629b18d7c289ec78f7/1080p/mp4/file.mp4