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When planning your estate, an inventory of your personal property is both a valuable tool and a comfort to your family, heirs, and executor. A personal property inventory can be a great document for estate management, taxes, and valuation purposes. Moreover, it can decrease confusion and emotional turmoil in the event of an unforeseen event or disaster.
Would you be able to provide proof of ownership and value to substantiate your insurance claim?
In the event of a fire, flood, theft or other natural disaster, would you be able to recall from memory everything you own in your home or business? Under normal conditions remembering all of your valuables is challenging but under the stress of a loss, it is far more difficult to recall.
Estate planning and insurance documentation are two of many reasons you should have a comprehensive, up-to-date personal property inventory. We all know this is wise, but few have the time to create it themselves. Gain peace of mind, let Kuehnert Appraisal and Consulting provide an inventory for you. You will enjoy protection and peace of mind.
Kuehnert’s efficient and professional service is here to help you.
We all know the famous saying…”A picture is worth a thousand words!” A whole house photographic inventory captures photographs of every item and room in your home or business. This photographic inventory allows Kuehnert Appraisal & Consulting to create a retroactive USPAP Certified Appraisal that can be submitted to your insurance company or attorney the event of disaster or death. A photographic record can expedite that claims process and helps to ensure less back and forth with the insurance.
A written catalog is an itemized list organized room by room with special attention paid to those items of value. Your written catalog is delivered together with a photographic record that allows Kuehnert Appraisal & Consulting to create a retroactive USPAP Certified Appraisal. A USPAP Certified Appraisal is recognized by insurers and it can be submitted to your insurance company or attorney in the event of disaster or death.
An Estate Settlement Inventory is an itemized written list, together with photographs, organized by room including current fair market values. Estate settlement inventories are helpful in situations where an appraisal for tax purposes is not required, but equitable distribution among family, friends or heirs is necessary.
How does a Collections Inventory differ from a whole-house inventory? It’s in the details. We photograph each item individually, and the written description includes the details of each item, piece-by-piece. For example:
Artwork – artist, medium, title, measurements.
China – manufacturer, pattern, number of place settings and piece in each place setting, serving pieces.
Porcelain – manufacturer, country of origin, name of piece, identifying number, measurements.
Silver – manufacturer, country of origin, identifying number, number of pieces.
Complementing the photographic record is an itemized list of your personal property. Organized by room, the detailed description includes manufacturer of furniture, artist and identifying marks of art and collectibles, manufacturer, model and serial numbers of electronics.
While preparing home and business inventories, we are often asked if we know the value of some or all of the property. As a member of the International Society of Appraisers, Tricia Kuehnert is a qualified Appraiser and capable of providing accurate Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant certified appraisal reports. This is considered the “gold standard” in the appraisal field.
We are often asked, while preparing home and business inventories, if we know the “market, wholesale or auction value” for purposes of distributing property to family or friends. While different than an appraisal, Tricia Kuehnert uses her twenty-five years of experience and expertise in the fine art, antiques and collectibles auction industry to ascertain market and auction values.
As ownership of assets changes, an update of this information is recommended. As a service to our clients, we offer annual renewals and updates at a nominal fee. These updates will keep your records current without paying for the full service again.
To ensure you are receiving the best inventory service possible, our processes are continually reviewed, improved and adapted to meet our clients’ individual needs. Moreover, Kuehnert Appraisal & Consulting follows the guidelines and best practices set by X. Tricia Kuehnert, prior to entering the appraisal and consulting industry in 2012, was owner and managing director of a local art, antiques and collectibles auction house for twenty-five years. Her reputation for quality service and integrity is known throughout the greater Houston area and Texas.
While not necessary, the items in the photographic records are more distinguishable if the rooms photographed are neat and tidy. Jewelry or other valuables stored in a safety deposit box or off-site location should be available.
This is one of the most common questions, and our answer is absolutely not. Don’t let any issue hinder the decision to schedule a household or company inventory. If you had a disaster, we are certain you would prefer a picture of a cluttered room rather than no photographs at all.
There is neither a state, nor a national level for the personal property inventory industry. However, as a member of the International Society of Appraisers, and qualified to prepare USPAP certified appraisals, you can be certain that an inventory prepared by Tricia Kuehnert will be professionally documented.
We will arrive on time! You will be given an overview of the process before we begin and we encourage questions prior to starting and during our time on site. If you wish to remain with us the entire time we are in your home or place of business, we welcome you to do so. If you prefer to go about your daily routine, feel free to do so….it’s your home or business and we will respect your needs.
For the disaster preparedness inventory list, that portion of the report is completed by you, since only you know what you paid for your personal property. If you supply us this information we will add it to the report at no extra charge. For an estate settlement inventory, we can provide fair market value of the contents.
Unfortunately, no one can predict exactly when a disaster or the loss of a loved one will occur. But, you can be prepared. Retaining a professional to conduct an inventory is a smart move to take now that can eliminate significant stressors and additional emotional upheaval when individuals are often vulnerable and confused. Contact Kuehnert today to learn more about how we can help you.
Kuehnert Appraisal & Consulting
2925 Richmond Avenue
Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77098