Certified Personal Property, Business & Estate Appraiser

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

Your Children May Not Know What It's Worth | Estate Appraisal Tips

Description:Many families inherit artwork, antiques, jewelry, collectibles, and household treasures without knowing their true value.

Before selling, donating, dividing an estate, or disposing of personal property, it is important to understand what you have. Valuable items are often overlooked, undervalued, or lost because their history and significance were never documented.

Lena's Appraisal Services provides professional personal property appraisals for:

• Estate & Probate• IRS Charitable Donations• Insurance Coverage• Divorce & Asset Division• Bankruptcy• Casualty Loss Claims

Serving San Diego CountyBy Appointment Only

03/07/2026

Expert Appraisal Services in San Diego: Your Questions Answered
​
Are you looking for a professional valuation of your estate, jewelry, or collectibles? Here are the most common questions we receive from our clients in La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and throughout San Diego:
​Q: Are your appraisal reports USPAP-compliant?
A: Yes. All our reports for estate probate, insurance, and legal purposes strictly follow USPAP standards, ensuring they are accepted by courts and insurance companies.
​Q: Do you offer pre-purchase consultations?
A: Absolutely. We help collectors and investors verify the authenticity and fair market value of items before they commit to a purchase.
​Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We provide on-site appraisal services across San Diego County, including Coronado, Del Mar, Point Loma, and Carlsbad.
​Q: Do you evaluate military collections and fine art?
A: Yes, with 25 years of experience, we specialize in fine jewelry, 18th-20th century art, and rare militaria collections.
​Q: How can I book an appointment?
A: Simply click the "Call" or "Message" button here on our profile to schedule your consultation.

03/01/2026

Tax Season 2025: IRS Requirements for Charitable Donation Appraisals

Tax Season 2025 is here — and if you’re planning to claim a charitable donation deduction, it’s critical to understand current IRS requirements.

If you donate art, antiques, jewelry, collectibles, or other personal property valued over $5,000, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires a Qualified Appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser.

Here’s what you need to know for 2025:

• Donations over $500 require documentation
• Donations over $5,000 require a Qualified Appraisal
• IRS Form 8283 must be properly completed and signed
• The appraisal must meet strict IRS standards and timing rules

Failing to comply can result in denied deductions, penalties, or delays in processing your tax return.

As a Certified Personal Property Appraiser and member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, I provide IRS-compliant Charitable Donation Appraisals for:

Fine Art • Antiques • Jewelry • Luxury Goods • Collections • Business Assets • Estate Property

If you are preparing your 2025 tax return and need a professional, defensible valuation — contact Lena’s Appraisal Services today.

📍 Serving San Diego & Nationwide
📞 Professional • Confidential • IRS Compliant

02/18/2026

Need to know what your valuables are really worth?
Jewelry -Antiques -Art -Luxury-Furniture & Household Items
Professional Appraisals in San Diego
Lena’s Appraisal Services
-Kincade

02/06/2026

Tax season 2025 is approaching, and many people don’t realize that if you donated physical (non-digital) items—such as clothing, furniture, computers, artwork, or other tangible property—with a total value over $5,000, the IRS requires a qualified professional appraisal.
To claim this deduction, you must have a certified personal property appraiser and a formal appraisal report.
-Kincade

02/06/2026

Thomas Kinkade Collector Plates – Market Overview
Lena’s Appraisal Services, San Diego
Thomas Kinkade decorative collector plates were produced by authorized manufacturers such as The Bradford Exchange and the Edwin M. Knowles China Company under official licensing agreements. These porcelain plates reproduce the artist’s artwork in limited-edition decorative form and typically include a Certificate of Authenticity, printed signature, and official backstamp.
In today’s secondary market, most individual plates sell for approximately $10–$30, occasionally reaching $35–$40 when in excellent condition with original packaging and COA. Complete sets generally range from $40–$120, with higher prices being uncommon.
From an appraisal perspective, values remain modest because editions were limited by production time rather than quantity, plates were mass-produced in the 1990s–2000s, and they were created as decorative collectibles rather than fine art editions. Like many collector plate series, market demand has declined over time, and value today is primarily decorative and sentimental.
Despite this, these plates remain popular with collectors and homeowners because they bring warmth and atmosphere to an interior. Displayed individually or as a group, they can enhance a space in much the same way as Thomas Kinkade’s paintings, offering an accessible way to enjoy his recognizable style and light-filled landscapes as part of everyday décor.
-Kincade