Jerry Chuilli, CAGA is owner/appraiser of Chuilli's Auction Service LLC. Jerry completed the personal property appraiser certification program with the Certified Appraisers Guild of America in March of 1998. With over 30 years experience in the auction profession Jerry has earned the respect of dealers, collectors and the general public for his superior business ethics, as well as knowledge of the antiques & collectibles market.

Jerry appraises many types of personal property including: antiques, sporting collectibles, collections, residential contents, office and business contents. Jerry does not appraise jewelry, paintings or industrial equipment.

An hourly rate or flat fee is charged for appraisal services and not a percentage of property value. Jerry is not a dealer and does not buy from clients. With no interest involved in the client's belongings this insures you of a fair and objective appraisal.

Each appraisal is personally researched and written by Jerry. Normally the report will be issued within 14 days following the inspection of the property. In some cases, the report will take longer depending on the number of items or the complexity of the assignment. The client receives two copies of the report and one is retained in our files. Additional copies can be provided upon request. Depending on the appraisal, photographs may be included in the report.

• Examination
• Photographs
• Research
• Market analysis
• Consolidation of data
• The report

• Divorce settlement
• Estate disbursement
• Estate planning
• Insurance claims
• Liquidation
• Donations
• Loan collateral

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice defines an appraisal as: the act or process of developing an opinion of value.

Opinions of value are not guesses, but rather they are informed opinions based on facts gathered from within the most appropriate marketplace. Such information is referred to as market data, and it forms the foundation which supports the appraiser's arguments.

An appraisal is considered a legal document if it is written by a certified or accredited appraiser.

In order to expedite an upcoming appraisal and in the process may save you money, please consider the following suggestions:

1. Decide on the items you want to have appraised
2. Ensure that items located in the attic, basement, closets and out buildings are open for view
3. Unpack items that are in storage trunks or boxes.
4. Put all things of like kind together such as flatware, crystal, dishes etc.
5. Gather together receipts, sales slips or earlier appraisals, if any.
6. Large pieces of furniture may need to be pulled away from the wall to inspect the back. Be prepared to remove any lamps, picture frames or breakables which might be damaged in the process.
7. If there is a vehicle, boat, trailer, ATV etc. to be appraised be sure to have them and the titles or registrations available for inspection.
8. If the appraisal is for an estate and there is a will, make sure that all the items specifically bequeathed are available for inspection.

With the government, courts, judges, banks, attorneys, accountants, insurance representatives, and other professionals examining more closely the personal property appraisal report, it is important to know what to expect from a professional personal property report.

Here are a few points that a professional report should have:

1. A complete and accurate description of the property written in such a manner that it can be identified without photos.
2. The methodology and sources relied upon, including market analysis and market or markets selected.
3. The date and location of inspection, and the effective date of value.
4. A definition of value appropriate to the type of appraisal.
5. The appraiser's qualification page.
6. The appraiser's signature.
7. The appraiser's statement that the appraiser does not have a financial interest in the property

1. It is hand written or unsigned.
2. The fee is based on a contingency or upon the value of the property.
3. The appropriate purpose and assigned use are not stated.
4. The appraiser is not willing and able to defend it.

The Certified Appraisers Guild of America (CAGA) is a professional accrediting organization providing certification of personal property appraisers. The Guild has been instrumental in helping to standardize the personal property appraisal profession. The members of the Certified Appraisers Guild form a network of valuable appraiser contacts throughout the United States and Canada.

The Guild has members in all 50 US states and 6 Canadian Provinces, the Certified Appraisers Guild of America is North America's #1 trainer of personal property appraisers. On an annual basis, it trains more personal property appraisers then any other organization in North America.

The Certified Appraisers Guild of America confers the professional membership designation CAGA to recognize the completion of the appraiser's certification education. In addition, the members have made a commitment to the Certified Appraisers Guild's Code of Professional Ethics and to the Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP)

1. The Appraiser shall obtain the relevant facts relating to the subject property to form the final conclusion of value.
2. All formal appraisal reports shall be in writing and signed by the appraiser.
3. The Appraiser shall disclose any interest in the subject property and will accept an appraisal assignment only if the appraisal can be performed without bias.
4. The Appraiser shall maintain the confidential nature of the appraisal report. The contents of the report shall not be disclosed without consent of the client or by court order.
5. The fee charged by the appraiser shall be independent of the value the report.
6. The appraiser shall maintain respect for others in the appraisal profession.