Asset Evaluation
& Appraisal
Thirteen years of market knowledge, translated into a professional catalogue that protects families, satisfies lawyers, and uncovers value that would otherwise walk out the door for nothing.
$2–3K
Investment
2 Days
Timeline
5×
Avg. Return
Why It Matters
Your Experience Is the Product
Families often think they can simply Google the value of their items. They find an asking price on eBay and assume that is what something is worth. They don’t understand the difference between an asking price and an actual realized market value – and that difference is often thousands of dollars.
“A professional appraisal often pays for itself by identifying one hidden gem a family might have sold for $10 at a garage sale that is actually worth $1,000.”
The Process
How a White Lily Appraisal Works
01
No Charge
Phase One
The Introduction Meeting
The first step is a walk-through to determine the scope of work. We are not just looking at items – we are assessing the full property environment to understand what the appraisal will actually involve.
Property Condition
Well-maintained, or a hoarder home requiring extra sorting labour? This determines the team size and timeline.
Logistics
A standard home, a farm, or an acreage? Location and access shape the entire approach.
The Big 3 Check
Are we involved in inventory, equalization, and distribution – or only one of these?
Collaboration
Working solo, or alongside family members or the executor? We set expectations clearly from day one.
02
Phase Two
The Family Equalization Strategy
Dividing an estate fairly is one of the most emotionally charged moments a family faces. White Lily provides objective data that removes opinion from the conversation — before anyone gets attached to a number.
Before or After
Do you need the appraisal before family takes items (to set values), or after (to value what remains)?
CRA / Legal Compliance
Reports are formatted for probate courts and Revenue Canada if an audit occurs.
The Unbiased Third Party
As an outsider, our Fair Market Value report acts as the final word – preventing friction and legal disputes.
03
Deliverable
Phase Three
The Professional Catalogue
A formal PDF and printed catalogue – delivered per item, per room. This is why families hire a professional instead of doing it themselves. Each entry stands up in court, with insurers, and with the CRA.
The Catalogue
Six Fields. Every Item. No Guessing.
Each entry in the professional catalogue contains the following information – fully documented, photographed, and formatted for legal use.
01
Item Number
Unique reference for legal documents, probate filings, and family distribution records.
02
Location
Where the item was found in the home. Context matters in court and in insurance claims.
03
History & Provenance
Notable details that establish authenticity and drive value – origin, period, maker’s marks.
04
Replacement Value
What it would cost to replace this item today. Used for insurance claims and estate filings.
05
Selling Value
The real-world expected price – not an eBay asking price, but actual realized market value.
06
Market Placement
Auction, Private Collector, or Estate Sale – recommended based on where each item earns the most.
The Cost of Guessing
An Appraisal That Pays for Itself
Don’t leave thousands of dollars on the table by guessing values. Our average client discovers items valued at five times the cost of the appraisal itself. One overlooked piece – a painting, a watch, a piece of furniture – can cover the entire investment and then some.
What Experience Adds That Google Cannot
Hidden Asset Search
What You Don’t Know
We know where to look – in drawers, coat pockets, hatboxes, and “junk” boxes that look worthless on the surface. Hidden cash, jewellery, and small collectibles are routinely missed by families doing their own walk-through.
Market Trend Knowledge
Expectation Management
A family might think Grandma’s china is worth thousands. The current market prefers Mid-Century Modern furniture. We manage expectations early – before a family makes a decision based on a number that no longer exists.
CRA & Legal Compliance
Probate-Ready Reports
Our reports are formatted to be acceptable for probate courts and the CRA if an audit occurs. This is not something a family member can produce from an eBay search — and the cost of getting it wrong is far higher than the appraisal itself.
Digital Photo Archive
Permanent Record
Every appraised item is high-resolution photographed, providing a complete visual record for the estate – invaluable for insurance, legal proceedings, and family memory.
