Not Sure What It's Worth? Start Here.
Professional Personal Property Appraisals in Indiana — Estates, Firearms, Collections, and More
Before you sell it, divide it, insure it, donate it, or argue about it — you need to know what it's actually worth.
Most people don't call us because they want an appraisal. They call because something is happening:
- A parent passed away
- A divorce is underway
- Siblings disagree about value
- An attorney needs documentation
- Someone needs to know what to keep, sell, divide, or donate
Guessing Is Expensive.
The coin jar donated to Goodwill that contained thousands in silver. The firearms sold to a gun shop for a fraction of their value. The jewelry sold as scrap that had real estate value. Families fighting over assets based on assumptions nobody bothered to verify.
The market does not care what something cost. It cares what someone will pay today. A professional appraisal often pays for itself many times over.
Many appraisers can identify items. Fewer can answer the harder question: What would this actually bring in today's market?
Burgess works in live markets every week. Our valuations are based on real auction results, active buyer demand, and current comparable sales — not outdated price guides or guesswork. That gives our clients something most appraisers cannot offer: real-world market intelligence.
Every Road Starts With the Same Question.
Tell us what's happening and we'll point you in the right direction.
A Loved One Passed Away
Handling a house full of belongings and need to know what matters before any decisions are made.
Estate Appraisals →Divorce or Asset Division
Need neutral, documented, defensible values for firearms, collections, or personal property.
Divorce Appraisals →Insurance Documentation
You own valuable collections and need proper documentation before coverage can be written.
Learn More →I Just Need Answers
Not ready to sell. Just want clarity before deciding what to do with what you have.
How It Works →One Call Covers the Full Scope.
Burgess provides appraisals across all major personal property categories. Not sure whether something has value? Ask. Sometimes ordinary-looking items are worth thousands. Sometimes expensive-looking items have little market demand. Knowing the difference matters.
Appraisals Serve More Situations Than Most People Realize.
Probate & Estate Settlement
Executors and heirs need fair market value for court filing, distribution, and estate tax reporting.
Divorce & Asset Division
Neutral, defensible values that replace assumptions with documented facts.
Insurance Documentation
Collections require written appraisals before scheduled personal property coverage can be properly written.
Family Disputes
Appraisals replace emotion with objectivity when family members disagree about value.
Tax & Charitable Planning
IRS-compliant reports for non-cash charitable donations and estate planning purposes.
Pre-Sale Planning
Before deciding whether to sell, know what you actually have and what it will bring.
Credentials Built on 30 Years of Live Market Experience.
| Credential | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| CAGA — Certified Appraisers Guild of America | Recognized personal property appraisal credential accepted in legal, probate, insurance, and IRS contexts. |
| CAI — Certified Auctioneers Institute | Held by fewer than 1% of auctioneers nationally. Advanced market expertise and professional practice. |
| FFL Licensed Firearms Dealer | The only auction and appraisal operation in Central Indiana with in-house firearms expertise and full ATF compliance. |
| 30 Years of Indiana Market Activity | We don't just assign values — we know what assets actually sell for because we sell them every week. |
| Indiana License AU19600029 | Active since February 1996. Second-generation family business with deep Central Indiana roots. |
Five Steps from Uncertainty to Clarity.
Tell Us What You Have
Call, email, or send photos. Tell us the situation — we'll listen and ask a few questions to understand what you're dealing with.
We Determine the Right Scope
Some situations need a quick consultation. Others require a full on-site inspection, complete inventory, and formal written report. We'll recommend the right level of engagement for your situation.
Inspection & Documentation
We identify, inspect, photograph, and evaluate assets in person. Condition, rarity, provenance, and current market demand all factor into the assessment.
Research & Valuation
We compare against current market data and real comparable sales — not book values or outdated price guides. Live auction results inform every valuation.
Report & Next Steps
You receive a clear, itemized, signed written report. Then you decide what happens next. Keep it. Sell it. Divide it. Donate it. Insure it. The decision is yours.
Clear Expectations. No Surprises.
We believe in transparent pricing. Appraisal fees are completely independent of any future sale — there is no obligation to auction with Burgess afterward.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First hour on-site | $375 |
| Each additional hour | $150 per hour |
| Travel time | Billed at hourly rate |
| Research & comparable sales analysis | Billed at hourly rate |
| Written report preparation | Billed at hourly rate |
In qualifying situations, appraisal fees may be credited toward commission if Burgess is later engaged to sell the property.
Common Questions About Appraisals
No. Appraisal engagements are completely independent of any future sale. Many clients get an appraisal and stop there — using the information to make better decisions about keeping, dividing, donating, or insuring assets. There is no obligation to auction with Burgess afterward.
Yes. Burgess provides written appraisal reports prepared by a CAGA-credentialed appraiser. These reports are accepted in Indiana probate proceedings, divorce and asset division matters, IRS documentation, and insurance underwriting.
Yes. Burgess is a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) and specializes in firearms valuation. Rimfire and centerfire firearms are handled with full ATF compliance. NFA items are evaluated case-by-case through appropriate referral channels.
On-site time depends on the size and complexity of the collection or estate. Most single-category appraisals (one firearms collection, one coin collection) are completed in one to two hours. Larger estates with multiple categories may require additional time. We'll give you a realistic estimate after the initial conversation.
Yes. Burgess serves Central Indiana and surrounding areas. Travel time is billed at the hourly rate.
In qualifying situations, yes. If Burgess is later engaged to sell the appraised property, appraisal fees may be credited toward the commission. Contact Zack to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Tell Us What You Have.
Before you sell it. Before you divide it. Before you insure it. Before you argue about it.
Know what you have. No pressure. No obligation.
Zack Burgess — Available to Talk
(765) 445-7814Burgess Auctions LLC | Knightstown & Carthage, Indiana | burgessauctions.com