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**lrprn** · 10-03-2006, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by chmastal View Post

Is there a book or list out there called something to the effect of "The idiots guide to the fair cash/swap meet/pawn shop/flea market/garage sale value to personal household property"?

Like an actual book or list what these approximate actual values would be based on age & condition.

I think this will be the hardest part of my homework assignment from my lawyer.[COLOR][/SIZE]

As hard as it is, chmastal, as your very wise lawyer advised, this is the time to NOT get ahead of the Joneses!

Take a look at the Sunday paper and check out the want ads for used furniture to get a feel for real life prices. Also do online searches on eBay and other auction sites.

It might be helpful to know that the average American home's contents if sold through the paper, garage sales, etc is typically around $3,000. I went through the exercise of breaking our stuff down item by item - ended up at $2900. We have nothing of great value - no jewelry, no furs, etc - and our appliances are 8-15 years old. Hope this helps!

**brainless twit** · 10-03-2006, 05:52 AM

When I assigned values to our property, I thought about how I would price each item if we were having a yard sale. That is, a yard sale where we REALLY need to get rid of everything we own. Our five year-old fridge? $100. Our couch and loveseat that cost $900 in 2002? $200. I did this with everything, and no one blinked an eye. Our total personal property was about $2500.

**SinkingFast** · 10-03-2006, 06:25 AM

While you would not buy a fabric, upholstered sofa used, people do. Everyday.

So you gotta think in those terms.

Where would you buy an 8 year old sofa??

Yard sales, garage sales, Goodwill and other 2nd hand type stores.

So look in the paper for similar type sounding items to what you're looking to value.

Goodwill has an Auction website where they sell larger items from Goodwills all around the country. If you can't find a price for your dining room table and chairs, that would be a place to get a value. Goodwill sets an opening bid as a base price.

**Bobby'sGirl** · 10-03-2006, 08:43 AM

I actually sent out my "spies"...

...(my college aged daughters) to garage sales and some local Goodwill/Salvation Army stores. They went with a list of things I wasn't sure of pricing and had a lot of fun and saved me some legwork and a good education for them in bargain hunting. They got some nice but cheap things for school and I got info for my list. My totals came back around $2000. I had to add in a piano and antique China cabinet, but put them in separately because I actually had them appraised. I'm trying to keep under the $8000 wild card for my state with my '96 van in the mix, but should be under by a few hundred, fortunately.

It seems overwhelming at first, but go room to room making list of major stuff in each. Consider garage/tools as a room and "outdoor funiture/lawncare" as another group and you'll be organized in no time. Don't list pans/dishes individually. Same for bedding/linens; just give it a low-ball value. Any pricey jewelry? Get an appraisal and then visit a pawn broker and be ready for a shock. Not worth what you'd think. Just don't wear those furs and bling to the court hearing!!