You may consider your family heirlooms “priceless,” but just how much are they really worth? Appraisals are more than just a resource to help you sell your assets; they can be valuable tools for your financial strategy, especially for estate planning, insurance, and tax purposes. They can help you obtain a mortgage, settle an estate, or obtain insurance coverage if a precious item has been lost or stolen.

Not all appraisers are created equal. It's essential that you find an appraiser who is qualified and accredited; appraisers are not required to receive any formal training. It is up to you to make sure they are experienced and knowledgeable about your artifacts. Here are some suggestions to find a suitable appraiser.

• Many appraisers have a professional affiliation. Check out the Appraisers Association of America or the American Society of Appraisers. These organizations follow a standard of evaluating and accrediting appraisers.
• Find out about the appraiser's formal training and experience. Appraisers should take continuing education courses at least once every five years to stay current.
• Request references and follow up on them.
• Determine how the appraiser charges fees. It should be an hourly rate, a flat rate, or a per-item rate. It is not ethical for appraisers to charge you a percentage of the item's value.
• Find out the appraiser's specialty. Unless you plan to have an assortment of items valued, find an appraiser who specializes in items of a similar nature or time period. An appraiser specializing one particular area of expertise can provide you with more accurate information regarding the item's value.
• If you need a variety of items appraised, find a generalist appraiser. He or she will contact experts in other fields, if necessary.
• Address any concerns you may have directly with the appraiser. Ask particular questions about his or her area of expertise, code of ethics, and involvement with the affiliating organization to ascertain whether or not the appraiser is qualified.

After you have your items appraised, make sure you obtain a typed and signed report from the appraiser, including his or her qualifications to value the item, a statement affirming that the appraiser has no financial interest in the property, a complete and accurate description of the item, and an estimated value.