Asset Appraisals

Professional Personal Property Appraisals

Understanding the true value of personal property is essential when managing estates, navigating divorce proceedings, substantiating charitable donations, or ensuring proper insurance coverage. At Hoffman Auctions, we provide professional appraisals that deliver the accuracy and documentation required for legal, tax, and financial purposes. Whether you’re an executor settling an estate, an attorney handling asset division, or an individual preparing for a major life transition, our appraisals provide the clarity and confidence you need to move forward.

Michael Hoffman holds the Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) designation and serves as a court-approved appraiser and auctioneer throughout Ohio. With nearly 25 years of experience and specialized training in estate sales through his Certified Estate Specialist (CES) credential, he brings both technical expertise and practical understanding to every appraisal assignment. Our appraisals adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), ensuring they meet the rigorous standards required by courts, the IRS, insurance companies, and financial institutions.

Who We Serve

Our appraisal services support professionals and individuals navigating complex asset valuation scenarios:

Attorneys: Probate litigation, divorce proceedings, estate administration, trust disputes, and guardianship matters requiring documented valuations.

Executors and Trustees: Fiduciary reporting for estate settlement, probate court submissions, and beneficiary distributions.

Insurance Agents and Adjusters: Coverage assessments, claim substantiation, and replacement value documentation.

Business Owners: Asset valuations for business sales, partnership dissolutions, liquidations, and financial planning.

Accountants and Financial Advisors: Tax planning support, charitable donation substantiation, and estate tax compliance.

Individual Clients: Family estate settlements, charitable giving, insurance coverage, and personal financial planning.

What We Appraise

Our personal property appraisal services cover a comprehensive range of assets across residential, estate, and business contexts:

Residential & Estate Assets

• Antiques and collectibles of all types
• Furniture, glassware, pottery, and porcelain
• Tools, household contents, and residential items
• Handmade quilts, textiles, and crafts

Specialty & High-Value Items

• Firearms, ammunition, and military collectibles
• Coins, precious metals, jewelry, and sterling silver
• Artwork, prints, and decorative items
• Sports memorabilia and entertainment collectibles
• Native American artifacts and historical items

Vehicles & Equipment

• Vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and recreational equipment
• Business assets, machinery, and commercial equipment
• Restaurant equipment and retail inventory

Whether appraising a single heirloom or inventorying an entire estate or business, we provide thorough valuations supported by market research, comparable sales data, and detailed documentation.

Appraisal Services We Provide

Estate and Probate Appraisals: Complete valuations for estate settlement, probate proceedings, and trust administration, providing executors, trustees, and attorneys with documented values required by probate courts.

Insurance Appraisals: Comprehensive assessments establishing replacement values for proper coverage, claim substantiation, and risk management.

Divorce and Equitable Distribution: Impartial valuations for marital asset division, ensuring fair distribution based on current market values rather than assumptions or disputed opinions.

Charitable Donation Appraisals: IRS-compliant valuations substantiating non-cash charitable contributions over $5,000, meeting federal requirements for tax deduction purposes.

Tax Planning and Reporting: Documented valuations supporting gift tax returns, estate tax filings, and other tax-related requirements.

Business Asset Appraisals: Evaluations of equipment, inventory, machinery, and furnishings for business sales, liquidations, partnership dissolutions, or financial planning.

Each appraisal includes on-site examination, detailed photography, thorough market research, and a comprehensive written report documenting descriptions, measurements, conditions, and valuations for each item or group of items.

Our Appraisal Process

Initial Consultation: We discuss your specific appraisal needs, timeline requirements, and intended use of the appraisal to ensure we deliver the appropriate level of documentation and compliance.

Preparation and Scheduling: You identify which items require appraisal and schedule an on-site visit when the property is accessible and distractions can be minimized. Gathering any existing documentation—sales receipts, certificates, previous appraisals, provenance letters—helps streamline the process and can affect valuations.

On-Site Inspection: We conduct a thorough examination of each item, taking detailed measurements, noting condition, capturing professional photographs, and documenting distinguishing characteristics. Ensuring items are unlocked, accessible, and well-lit maximizes efficiency and accuracy.

Research and Analysis: We research comparable sales, consult specialized references, review auction records, and analyze current market conditions to determine accurate fair market values or replacement values depending on the appraisal’s purpose.

Report Preparation and Delivery: You receive a comprehensive written appraisal report that includes detailed descriptions, professional photography, condition assessments, market analysis, and documented valuations for each item. Reports meet USPAP standards and are formatted for their intended use—whether probate court submissions, IRS filings, insurance documentation, or legal proceedings.

Fees and Payment: Appraisal fees are charged hourly for on-site inspection time, research, and report preparation, with additional charges for travel expenses when applicable. A deposit is required at the time of inspection, with the balance due upon delivery of the completed report. Per USPAP ethics standards, our fees are never based on a percentage of the appraised value—this ensures a completely unbiased valuation that serves your best interests. Fee estimates are provided in advance following the initial consultation, so you understand expected costs before work begins.

The Hoffman Advantage: Real-World Market Data

Most appraisers rely solely on published guides, comparable sales databases, and historical records to determine values. While these resources are important, they often reflect asking prices rather than actual selling prices—or they’re based on transactions from different markets or time periods.

As both a licensed personal property appraiser and active auctioneer, Michael Hoffman brings a unique perspective to every appraisal. Through 25 years of selling thousands of assets at auction, he understands precisely how items perform in the actual marketplace—not just what reference guides suggest they should be worth. This hands-on transactional experience means your appraisals reflect current, realistic market values based on what buyers actually pay, not optimistic projections or outdated pricing.

This dual expertise is particularly valuable when courts, insurance companies, or the IRS scrutinize valuations. Our appraisals don’t just cite comparable sales—they’re informed by direct market participation and real-world selling experience that withstands professional review.

Why Professional Appraisals Matter

Accurate personal property appraisals serve as more than just numbers on paper—they provide legal protection, financial clarity, and peace of mind during significant transitions. Courts require documented valuations for estate administration and asset division. The IRS mandates qualified appraisals for substantial charitable donations. Insurance companies need substantiated values for proper coverage and claims. Executors, trustees, and attorneys rely on professional appraisals to fulfill their fiduciary duties and defend their decisions if challenged.

Clients working with Hoffman Auctions benefit from responsive communication, transparent pricing, and reports delivered on schedule. We understand that appraisals often occur during challenging circumstances—estate settlements following a loss, business closures, or divorce proceedings. Our goal extends beyond producing accurate valuations to making the entire process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Discover what clients say about working with us on our Client Testimonials page.

Ready to Schedule Your Appraisal?

Whether you’re settling an estate, documenting assets for insurance, supporting a charitable donation, or preparing for legal proceedings, professional appraisals provide the foundation for informed decisions. Initial consultations are straightforward and informative—there’s no obligation to proceed until you’re comfortable with the process.

Contact Hoffman Auctions to discuss your appraisal needs and receive a clear explanation of our process, timeline, and fee structure.

Call us at (614) 314-0298 or use our Contact Us page to schedule your personal property appraisal. We’re here to provide accurate valuations with the professionalism and attention to detail your situation deserves.