
Every appraisal is unique, but each assignment
we complete is accompanied by a personal on-site
inspection, complete inventory, full photographic
record, and a thorough appraisal of all relevant
items of personal property located at the residence
or business of the client.
Since many of our clients have multiple homes,
we travel anywhere within the United States,
Canada, or Europe to complete the task. We
organize and assemble a full and complete
catalog - both printed and electronic - of
all photographs relative to each separate
appraisal. The use of digital technology enables
our firm to completely safeguard the confidentiality
of every client's photographic detail. No
film processing lab or other outside third
party ever has access to the records contained
in our reports. We take the photographs, we
process them ourselves, and then print the
copies ourselves - in any number the client
requires. One recent client needed full report
copies for first and second chair attorneys
for the plaintiff, first and second chair
attorneys for the defendant, a copy for the
judge, another for the evidentiary record,
plus two more for the defendant and the plaintiff.
We supplied them all - and each copy was a
fully signed crisp original. (Of course, when
specific regulations apply, as in the case
of individual works of art valued at more
than $20,000.00 in a taxable estate, we do
provide traditional high-definition 35 millimeter
photography for the IRS review committee.)
Our research is painstakingly thorough, our
knowledge extensive. Each item is subjected
to a full and complete examination, then its
worth is compared to both electronic and printed
databases cataloging comparable sales of similar
objects and works of art. Our insider network
of trusted experts is broad, multi-national,
and extremely capable. Our at-hand knowledge
is based on real-life experience earned buying
and selling literally millions of dollars
worth of similar items; and has been augmented
considerably by serving over the last ten
years as the primary personal property appraiser
to the community of Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina.
We comply with standards as set forth in
the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice of The Appraisal Foundation, Inc.,
in Washington, D.C., and maintain both a written
and an electronic copy of each complete report
in secure storage for a minimum of five years.
