Fair Market Value Appraisal

5.0from 80+ client reviews

Fair market value appraisal services covering personal property, equipment, vehicles, and business interests, prepared in accordance with IRS requirements and USPAP. AppraiseItNow appraises furniture, kitchen appliances, RVs, semi trucks, and tools at fair market value.

Get an instant response

DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, CPAS, AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS.

  • IRS
  • Chase
  • State Farm
  • Bank of America
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • United States Courts
  • Wells Fargo

AppraiseItNow Determines Fair Market Value for Household Goods, Tools, Appliances, Vehicles, and Trucks

Household Goods & Personal Property appraisal

01

Household Goods & Personal Property

We determine fair market value for furniture and household contents: the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller, with neither under pressure to act.

Vehicles & Trucks appraisal

02

Vehicles & Trucks

We appraise RVs and semi trucks at fair market value for sales, buyouts, tax and legal matters, using current market data for the specific make, model and condition.

The team behind your fair market value appraisal

Between them, our appraisers hold ISA, CAGA, ASA, ABV, and CFA designations, and every report is written to USPAP for the IRS, CPAs, and financial advisors.

Joe Kattan

Joe Kattan

Owner & CEO

Joe founded AppraiseItNow to make a certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal as simple to order as anything else online. A former Bain & Company strategy consultant, Joe leads the entire team and specializes in strategy, growth, and the firm's tech capabilities.

Anne Hay

Anne Hay

Personal Property Appraiser

ISA Accredited Member with 30 years in the trade, from running estate sales and an auction gallery to appraising luxury apparel, furniture, artwork, antiques, and business assets, primarily for IRS tax filings.

Jason Dolph

Jason Dolph

Machinery & Equipment Appraiser

Third-generation auctioneer and CAGA Certified Appraiser with more than 20 years valuing machinery, equipment, vehicles, business assets, and estates for banks, attorneys, and trustees across the Carolinas.

Ashley Innes

Ashley Innes

Personal Property Appraiser

ISA Accredited Member specializing in Asian art, with a Master's from SOAS and a Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art. Ashley chairs the ISA's Antiques, Furnishings, and Decorative Arts committee and appraises for charitable donation, insurance, and equitable distribution.

Marnie Erkelens

Marnie Erkelens

Vehicle Appraiser

CAGA Certified Appraiser since 2014, covering vehicles, boats, equipment, fine art, and collectibles. A classic-car restoration background informs her vehicle work, with reports prepared for insurance, divorce, and charitable contributions.

Justin Ramirez

Justin Ramirez

Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser

ASA, ABV, and CFA charterholder. Since 2016 Justin has valued businesses for estate and gift tax, purchase price allocations, fairness opinions, lending, and buy-sell agreements, across manufacturing, services, retail, and pre-revenue biotech.

Raymond Ghelardi

Raymond Ghelardi

Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser

Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers. Raymond values capital stock, business enterprises, stock options, and intangible assets.

Aron Blue

Aron Blue

Client Success Manager

Manages each engagement from the first enquiry to the delivered report, and keeps you posted at every step along the way.

  • USPAPWritten to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
  • Fair market valueThe IRS definition of value a buyer, seller, CPA, or advisor can rely on
  • International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
  • Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
  • American Society of AppraisersAccredited Senior Appraiser
  • AICPAAccredited in Business Valuation
  • CFA InstituteChartered Financial Analyst
  • The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards

About AppraiseItNow's Fair Market Value Appraisal Services

fair market value appraisal determines the price at which property would change hands between a hypothetical willing buyer and willing seller, both informed and acting without compulsion. FMV appraisals are required by the IRS for charitable property donations exceeding $5,000 (Form 8283), with full appraisal attachment required for business interests over $500,000. They also support estate tax filings, gift tax returns, ERISA plan compliance, and 409A valuations, following Treasury Regulation §20.2031-1(b), Revenue Ruling 59-60, and USPAP standards.

AppraiseItNow delivers qualified FMV appraisals online and onsite across the United States, covering personal property, equipment, vehicles, fine art, boats, business interests, and inventory. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.

What Does AppraiseItNow Appraise for Fair Market Value?

AppraiseItNow covers every major asset class that commonly requires a fair market value determination, including:

  • Personal Property – jewelry, antiques, furniture, coins, collectibles, and household goods
  • Equipment & Machinery – medical equipment, restaurant equipment, manufacturing machinery, and technology assets
  • Fine Art – paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and mixed media
  • Business Interests – LLCs, S-corps, partnerships, fractional interests, and privately held stock
  • Boats & Watercraft – sailboats, powerboats, yachts, jet skis, and personal watercraft
  • Automobiles & Vehicles – cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, and classic vehicles
  • Inventory – retail inventory, wholesale stock, raw materials, and finished goods

Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?

  • Individuals and executors filing estate tax returns or administering trusts requiring IRS-compliant FMV documentation
  • Donors and nonprofits needing qualified appraisals for noncash charitable contributions above IRS thresholds
  • Business owners and plan administrators requiring FMV support for ESOP transactions, 409A compliance, or ERISA plan audits
  • Attorneys and CPAs advising clients on gift tax filings, divorce settlements, or business interest transfers
  • Lenders, investors, and financial advisors requiring credible FMV opinions for M&A transactions or investment decisions

What clients say we are known for

AppraiseItNow Reviews: “the company exceeded all of my expectations” and “AppraiseItNow, Inc. was professional in every way”

  1. Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their services” Nicholas F.Mentioned in 44 reviews
  2. Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 34 reviews
  3. Showing the research and the comparables behind the number“They were prompt, thorough” Nicholas F.Mentioned in 29 reviews
  4. Taking on items other appraisers had already turned downMentioned in 14 reviews
  5. Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 21 reviews

Across 80+ published AppraiseItNow reviews the picture is consistent: every one is from a client who paid us for an appraisal, and the three things they raise most often are that they would hire us again, how quickly we answer, and how much research is visible in the report.

  • I was skeptical at first, but the company exceeded all of my expectations. The team responded quickly to every question, and the service was excellent. They’re now my go to source for my collection. I’ve used them twice already, and I plan to use them several more times.
    Robert Y. , Concord, NH ·

    Firearms Appraisal for Personal Use

  • Joe and his team were highly responsive and provided strong, well-supported comparisons to justify their appraisal values. The process of uploading photos was smooth and straightforward. We would definitely work with him again for future appraisal needs.
    Hugh W. , Cranberry, PA ·

    Antiques Appraisal for Personal Use

  • Extremely communicative, didn’t have to jump through hoops, loved their system and how easy it was to give them all the information. Highly recommend going with these guys, shout out to Joe too for being awesome to work with!
    Brendan C., Joliet, IL ·

    Trailer Appraisal for Personal Use

  • AppraiseItNow, Inc. was professional in every way. They were prompt, thorough, and provided impressive credentials that demonstrated their expertise. I highly recommend their services.
    Nicholas F. , Varysburg, NY ·

    Antiques Appraisal for Personal Use

  • The staff at AppraiseItNow was exceptionally professional and attentive, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout the entire appraisal process.
    Tabatha C., Prosper, TX ·

    Sports Memorabilia Appraisal for Personal Use

  • AppraiseItNow did an outstanding job appraising my 1998 Bobcat Skid Steer and circa 2010 Yuchai Crawler Dozer. We could not locate a serial number on the dozer, and there were no online sales available, but they were still able to develop an accurate appraisal using known specifications for my dozer compared to other comparable make and model dozers. They diligently researched both equipment items and provided well-documented reports.
    Bob H. , Dallas, TX ·

    Machinery & Equipment Appraisal

Appraisals for Fair Market Value, Near You

AppraiseItNow offers online appraisals and onsite appraisals in all 50 states.

Fair Market Value appraisals in AlabamaFair Market Value appraisals in AlaskaFair Market Value appraisals in ArizonaFair Market Value appraisals in ArkansasFair Market Value appraisals in CaliforniaFair Market Value appraisals in ColoradoFair Market Value appraisals in ConnecticutFair Market Value appraisals in DelawareFair Market Value appraisals in FloridaFair Market Value appraisals in GeorgiaFair Market Value appraisals in HawaiiFair Market Value appraisals in IdahoFair Market Value appraisals in IllinoisFair Market Value appraisals in IndianaFair Market Value appraisals in IowaFair Market Value appraisals in KansasFair Market Value appraisals in KentuckyFair Market Value appraisals in LouisianaFair Market Value appraisals in MaineFair Market Value appraisals in MarylandFair Market Value appraisals in MassachusettsFair Market Value appraisals in MichiganFair Market Value appraisals in MinnesotaFair Market Value appraisals in MississippiFair Market Value appraisals in MissouriFair Market Value appraisals in MontanaFair Market Value appraisals in NebraskaFair Market Value appraisals in NevadaFair Market Value appraisals in New HampshireFair Market Value appraisals in New JerseyFair Market Value appraisals in New MexicoFair Market Value appraisals in New YorkFair Market Value appraisals in North CarolinaFair Market Value appraisals in North DakotaFair Market Value appraisals in OhioFair Market Value appraisals in OklahomaFair Market Value appraisals in OregonFair Market Value appraisals in PennsylvaniaFair Market Value appraisals in Rhode IslandFair Market Value appraisals in South CarolinaFair Market Value appraisals in South DakotaFair Market Value appraisals in TennesseeFair Market Value appraisals in TexasFair Market Value appraisals in UtahFair Market Value appraisals in VermontFair Market Value appraisals in VirginiaFair Market Value appraisals in WashingtonFair Market Value appraisals in West VirginiaFair Market Value appraisals in WisconsinFair Market Value appraisals in Wyoming
Browse all states by region

Frequently Asked Questions on Fair Market Value Appraisals

How is fair market value different from fair value under GAAP?

FMV uses a hypothetical willing buyer and seller without compulsion, and often applies discounts for lack of control or marketability for private interests. Fair value under ASC 820 is an exit price between market participants and can produce materially higher results without those discounts. Using GAAP fair value instead of IRS FMV on a tax return can lead to disallowed deductions or penalties on forms like Form 8283.

What discounts apply to private business interests under FMV?

Two common discounts apply to non-publicly traded interests. A discount for lack of control (DLOC) reduces value for minority stakes that lack voting power, typically 20 to 40%. A discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) accounts for illiquidity, typically 20 to 50%. Combined, these discounts can reduce value 30 to 60% compared to a controlling interest, consistent with Revenue Ruling 59-60.

What is the valuation date for a charitable contribution?

The valuation date is the contribution date, meaning the date the property actually transfers, not the date an agreement is signed. This is defined under IRS Publication 561 and §1.170A-17. Using a later transaction date risks IRS adjustment if market conditions changed, which can result in a disallowed deduction.

What happens if my appraisal is missing required elements?

A qualified appraisal under §1.170A-17 must include the property description, valuation and contribution dates, appraiser qualifications and fee, FMV, methodology, and supporting basis such as comparables or earnings. Omitting any of these elements voids the appraisal's qualified status and can trigger penalties of 20 to 40% under IRC §6662 for substantial or gross valuation misstatements.

Why are synergy-based valuations excluded from FMV?

FMV assumes hypothetical market participants without specific synergies, not actual strategic buyers, per Revenue Ruling 59-60 and §20.2031-1(b). Including strategic buyer premiums would overstate value relative to what a typical willing buyer would pay, which the IRS does not accept for tax reporting purposes.