Q

Who uses your appraisal services?

Adams Appraisers has been a reliable and confidential source of appraisal services since 1982. We serve individuals who inquire about the value of their personal property for insurance, taxes, disputes, or estate planning. Members of professional service industries also use our appraisal services. Legal professionals use our appraisal expertise for litigation support or when an expert is essential for testimony about the value of property. Estate and Trust administrators and conservators integrate information we provide to support decisions or pay taxes for the clients they serve. Local and federal law enforcement agencies require our appraisals to identify and value the property they have seized as evidence. Insurance companies rely on our objective, supported values to insure property, adjust for a loss, settle disputes, and to litigate, if necessary. Wealth managers use our services for insurance decisions and estate planning. Each personalized appraisal report answers your value questions, and our service assures your privacy.

Q

Why do I want an independent professional appraiser?

As a truly independent appraiser, Vickie L. Adams assists clients with buying and selling decisions. Many websites mention appraisal services when the actual goal is to accumulate merchandise for resale. Vickie does not buy or sell the items she appraises. She will make referrals to trusted buyers or sellers if desired. At Adams Appraisers, a Certified Gemological Lab will travel with this accredited appraiser to your location.

Q

Is your appraisal by a certified individual?

Yes, Vickie Adams is fully accredited. Successful completion of education, testing and a rigorous process of peer review culminated in the status of Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) in the American Society of Appraisers. She now has 36 years of experience in the appraisal industry. Ms. Adams completed course work, passed exams and completed peer review to obtain the essential authorization to use the Master Gemologist Appraiser® mark.

Q

How may I rely on the appraisal report?

Reports communicate the entire appraisal process. A user of the report may rely on the conclusions offered in an appraisal document when the report contains all the pages listed in the table of contents. This compilation explains the type of value expressed. In addition, the report defines the specific marketplace used in the comparison of objects when gathering information about sales. Our appraisal reports state the intended user of the report and the effective date of valuation.

Q

What questions does an appraisal answer?

Each appraisal report is advice tailored to answer a question. Examples of inquiries are: • How much insurance coverage do I need? • What amount of tax will the estate owe? • What equal way can we divide the property? • What is the value of the lost property? • How did its value diminish by damage? • How much should I pay to buy it? • What should I receive if I sell it? • What is the value of my gift to charity? • What is the value of the estate when a spouse passes?

Q

How much does an appraisal cost?

Our fees do not relate to the value of the property. Our basic fee structure involves a minimum time of three hours. The time required for an appraisal includes many steps including consultation, inspection and evaluation, research and the analysis of sales facts, and the composition of an appraisal report. Other fee arrangements may include per diem. The appraiser and client may establish a contractual fee arrangement for particular large or complex assignments or litigation assignments.

Q

Why do I need an appraisal for insurance?

Insurance appraisals are extremely important. Replacement values for insurance matters fall into two categories. One of them states the current value of a property if it were to need replacement. The other explains the value before a loss or damage, as well as the loss in value from damage. Replacement value appraisals document your property, its quality, and its condition, in addition to stating the cost to replace the property with another similar property. This information supports your request for insurance coverage.

Q

Do you appraise property for tax matters?

Treasury Regulations dictate two unrelated appraisal situations: 1) the value of property in an estate, and 2) the value of property donated as a gift to charity. In either case, our personal property appraisals conform to methods and rules expressed by governing law and result in a Fair Market Value appraisal.

Q

What are other reasons for an appraisal?

Marriage or business dissolution looks to an appraisal report for equitable division of the personal property. Civil and criminal litigation requires an independent appraisal to report the dollar value of damaged or lost property. Appraisals may support litigation, help resolve disputes, estimate loss when damage occurs, and explain the value of a property in exchange. Property seizure, probate, and estate planning are other reasons for an appraisal.

Q

What other services are offered by Adams Appraisers?

Property or value consultation; Expert Witness; or Litigation Support.

Q

Must I bring all my jewelry to your office?

Our certified, portable, gemological laboratory and accredited appraiser travel to your home, office or bank to inspect and evaluate your jewelry. Of course, you may also observe the jewelry inspection process in our office. We will travel to the following counties in Southern California: Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara. Other locations may be arranged.

Q

What is the appraisal process?

Observation, testing and the analysis of research data leads to the value conclusion. This process develops several overlapping stages: 1) A complimentary telephone consultation allows the client and appraiser to discuss the type of property, the reason for the appraisal, and who will use the information in the report. 2) The inspection occurs at the location of your choice at a prearranged time. 3) The identification process includes observation and testing of the pieces. Snapshots capture the type of property, the quality and its condition. Weights and measurements communicate the relative size and heft. Gemological instruments in a certified laboratory are setup on-site to grade the quality of diamonds and gemstones. 4) The materials, construction techniques and craftsmanship yield information about the quality and condition. Style and aesthetic appeal are important observations made by the appraisal team. 5) Valuation involves research for the selling prices of similar items in the marketplace appropriate for the appraisal assignment. 6) The analysis of this sales data leads to the value opinion. 7) The appraisal report details the characteristics of the property and shows the item in images. 8) The appraisal process and appraisal report are developed to conform to the current edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (U.S.P.A.P.), published by the Appraisal Foundation, and the Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA).

Q

What are appraisal standards?

As an appraiser accredited by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Ms. Adams delivers well-researched, accurate and independent valuations, which are U.S.P.A.P. compliant. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (U.S.P.A.P.) are the national standards developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of The Appraisal Foundation. These performance standards direct all professional appraisers. Every five years an accredited appraiser must successfully participate in U.S.P.A.P. course work. Among the five specific rules governing an appraiser, three stand out in the appraisal process. The Ethics Rule states the appraisal must be impartial, objective and independent. The Competency Rule states the appraiser must identify and address the problem and have knowledge and experience to complete the assignment. In addition, the appraiser must recognize and comply with the laws and regulations that apply to the assignment. The Scope of Work Rule defines the responsibility of the appraiser to develop and perform the scope of work necessary for credible results and present this in the appraisal report. When selecting an appraiser, compliance to U.S.P.A.P. standards ensures the most objective, accurate and relevant analysis for the value conclusion. Ms. Adams is one of the few jewelry appraises having completed all mandatory re-certification requirements in addition to adhering to U.S.P.A.P. standards.

Schedule an Appointment

I Welcome Your Questions About Appraisal Services

Please submit your request and I'll get back to you shortly.