Have you ever bought a house? Sold an antique? Inherited a farm? Donated property? Owned a business? Paid property taxes? Bought a piece of fine jewelry? Served as an executor of an estate? Given up part of your property through a right-of-way taking?

If so, then you are like most people who, from time to time, enter into a situation, financial or otherwise, involving the need for an appraisal.

An appraisal is an independent, unbiased estimate of value that often serves as a cornerstone in a transaction. Professional appraisers value property with independence and objectivity.

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS

An appraisal can be key to protecting your interest in many financial dealings. When there is a question as to the value of your property, there's also a risk involved.

Value oriented risks may include:

• selling too low
• paying too much
• being over or under insured
• not getting your fair share in a division of property
• paying too much in taxes
• being audited when claiming a deduction for a charitable contribution or a business loss

A professional appraiser helps you manage your interest by providing a well-developed and documented, unbiased estimate of value upon which you can base your financial decisions.