Book Testimonials

This is a resource book every personal property appraiser should have in their library. I would even take the recommendation a step further and say many dealers and gallerists should have this resource in their library as well, as it stresses the importance of what a qualified appraisal is and what is involved in developing a report, writing a qualified report and supporting substantive value conclusions which can withstand review and scrutiny. The new edition is certainly a valuable tool for the new personal property appraiser, but what is also impressive is that the book has sufficient depth, detail and explanations that it is also a worthy guide for the experienced appraiser. - Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP, Appraiser Workshops

I concluded that it was very probably the most thorough book on appraising personal property available in the marketplace today. Moreover, because the volume was built around USPAP, it did not get bogged down in the competing terminologies used by various appraisal societies in their education programs. The book was relevant to all personal property appraisers using USPAP as their practice guideline." -Stephen P. Sweeting, MRICS

Your books have been extremely informative and helpful to me, and I thank you for all the work that I know you put into them. - G.C.

I recently finished up the Needleart Appraisal Program through the American Needlepoint Guild. Your book was invaluable to me in the appraisal writing segment. I even lugged it along with me on the plane in my carry-on to San Antonio where I took my “final exam”. Thank you so much for all the work and knowledge you put into it. - J.G.

I got your book just in time for my big divorce appraisal, in which I used a quote from the book to support the value definition. My client "won" as they settled at the beginning of court proceedings on personal property because they knew we had the better appraisal. Keep up the good work! - V.H.

It is so right and proper that you should receive the award for your outstanding book. All of us in the profession should recognize the tremendously significant contribution you have made to the appraisal profession. - B.E.

Congratulations to David Maloney for his outstanding Appraisal Publication which I use frequently! He is right on the mark!! - K.R., ISA CAPP

I was thoroughly surprised when his fourth edition was published and sent to us for review. I went through it and noted the changes, additions, additional appraisal examples and discussions, reviews of the legal applications and implications, simplification of appraisal terminology, etc., and find that I must recommend it again. It’s a course all by itself and doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. There are new sample appraisals. There are very good explanations of government forms needed for IRS work. The information on hypothetical appraisals is a good reference and the Table of Contents and the Index are excellent. This new work will answer many questions for you and add to your expertise and understanding of the appraisal process. - Howard Rubin, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (read review)

Clear, user-friendly, great cross-index, and sample appraisals, and the best explanations I have ever seen—simply put, there is no other book like it! I must say, your ISA award was "well deserved" and everyone... and I mean EVERYONE... who is an appraiser, or claims to be an appraiser, SHOULD HAVE YOUR BOOK. Thank You! - T.H.

I just had to let you know how much I appreciate you for writing ‘Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology’. As a full time appraiser I find myself referring to your book when I need a serious question answered in a no nonsense way. You give complete and detailed descriptions on every aspect of appraisal writing and development. You have saved me countless hours digging for the correct answer. I feel that you have written your reference book without regard to the various professional appraisal groups’ own agendas and idiosyncrasies. One day I hope our paths will cross. - S, ISA CAPP

I find your book very interesting as well as informative. I completed my appraisal "core" courses eight years ago so find your book now to be a great source of information. I have been using it since the day it arrived at my office. The terminology is what I am used to and have learned in the core courses, so it is comforting to have your manual to refer to! Your book is great to use because it is in "plain English. " It is a great resource addition to my library - it already has many little post-it notes marking pages! Again, many thanks. - Linda Maloney

Thanks for putting together such comprehensive references. - G.J

I am much appreciative of your book .... wow! without it, I would have never been able to grasp some of the concepts .... it does sit on "the right hand side" of my desk and is well-used and dog eared. Again, thanks so very much. - T.H.

The book arrived a few minutes ago. Looks great! Thanks again for the over-the-top customer service!! - J.D.

Thanks for the fast response, and outstanding customer service! I greatly appreciate it. It's rare for a question to come up that your book does not provide some perspective on. As a Personal Property Appraiser, I would consider your book a good value at twice the price. - J.D.

I just got my copy of the 4th Edition. I am really enjoying reading it. Great job! It is a very important resource for all appraisers. Thanks for putting this information all in one place. - J.B., AAA

I’m sure this will be the success that the previous editions have been. It’s a very useful book and I recommend it to my appraisal classes. - J.V., ASA

You are taking appraisal education to a new level. Everyone in the business should read it. Then they may realize how far our profession has come. Thank you so much for your hard work. I know it's a labor of love. - H.R.

This is a must have resource book for every personal property appraiser's library.  I refer to it on a regular basis. It is easy to use, has a great index, is current with USPAP, and the text/content covers all important and significant areas of appraising.  The numerous examples and sample documents are excellent. - Todd Sigety, ISA CAPP, Appraisers Workshop

You're contribution to our industry is significant. - G.Y.

The third edition volume is first rate and, in my opinion, far surpasses anything else available within the profession both for personal property appraisers and their clients. Bravo! - BE

Remember that grueling claim loss appraisal I was working where the downstairs of a home got flooded and you so graciously assisted with my understanding of using two value types:  Replacement Cost New and Replacement Cost Comparable?  Well, long story short, the insurance people flipped over my report and said it was the finest appraisal they had ever seen!  I was so thrilled! I just had to share this with you because because you helped me so much.  Thank you, thank you! - JH

Dave Maloney's appraisal book is AWESOME. I have both the 2nd edition and 3rd edition of his book and no serious appraiser should be without it. I am also looking forward to the release of his forthcoming release of Maloney's Antiques & Collectibles Resource Directory. - MI

Your book is a MASTERPIECE! It should be on EVERYONE'S shelf! Great Job. It has answered every situation possible that we have come acrossed. - TH

I have been reading your third edition of Appraising Personal Property in more detail and it made so much more sense than the classes I took! You wrote it in a way I could easily understand, thank you! - AN

Thank you for the updated material. Your stuff is always good to read and remember. We continue to get good reviews of your book.  Keep up the good work. - HR

We've purchased this book (as well as the last edition) and it is well worth the cost. Chock full of informaion and, if you are fairly new to Personal Property Appraising, Dave Maloney has already done much of the ground work for you. Dave, thanks for publishing the book. Michael Ivankovich, President at Home Downsizing Consultants, Licensed Auctioneer, USPAP-compliant Appraiser, Fund Raising Auctioneer

The new 3rd edition of "Appraising Personal Property: Principles & Methodology" looks outstanding! I turned to the USPAP section right away. Appraisers, both new and old, will love this section. You have created an authoritative and exhaustive compendium of appraisal theory. I have no doubt that your efforts will be as highly regarded as Babcock's for the next few decades. - PC

I am purchasing your book because I remember from our conversation that your level of experience and your approach to appraising is wonderful. I thank you in advance for writing this definitive guide to appraising. Congratulations on a highly recommended book. It sounds like it should be a part of everyone's working library. - GY

I just ordered the 2nd edition. I'm finding it to be extremely useful and helpful. I'm a relatively new appraiser and your book is a valuable complement to the required courses. I can't imagine the time it took you to pull it all together - Thanks again for a great resource! - DA

I use this manual in my office – I have three family members who are also in my family run business. Your book is fantastic! It is so concise and full of information that we can use on a day-to-day basis. - YK

I greatly look forward to receiving improved appraisal reports since any excuse of ignorance has been removed by your book. - Government Appraisal Reviewer

Maloney's guide to proper appraisal methodology is so thorough that it can truly be called the only complete source on the subject. This essential guide to the preparation of ethical and professional appraisal reports should not only be a required addition to any appraiser's library but should be on the shelves of every public library as well. Owners of the book also have the ability to obtain updates online at no cost — an especially useful feature in a field where USPAP and IRS regulations can go through modifications. - Peter Hastings Falk

Thanks for informing me of the new updates to the 1st edition of your book. I am amazed at your thoroughness. - Ron Mason

Those on our faculty who have had the opportunity to review your book, Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology, all agree that it is the best work of its kind and provides a strong, useful and thorough tool for the professional personal property appraiser. We have chosen to have this book become the standard text for our course, Appraisal Ethics and Appraisal Writing. On behalf of all here at CFA I want to thank you for this much needed work. - Walter Miller, CEO, College for Appraisers.

I have just received a copy of your book, Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology. My congratulations on writing such an excellent and comprehensive book which has been long awaited in the field of personal property appraising. I have been a certified appraiser for thirty years but realize from the study of your book that I still have a lot to learn. I am certain that it will become the standard reference for personal property appraisers. - Kevin E. Stewart

I am purchasing your book because I remember from our past conversation that your level of experience and your approach to appraising is wonderful. I thank you in advance for writing this definitive guide to appraising. Congratulations on writing such a highly-recommended book — it must have been a huge undertaking! I know your book will be a benchmark, and it sounds like one a book that should be part of every appraiser's working library. - Gwen Yeaman, ISA

If you aspire to become an appraiser and have not read this book, you should hang your head in shame! - Harry Rinker.

For all of you who have emailed over the years asking how to become an art appraiser (or an appraiser of antiques, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, decorative arts, and so on), I now officially have the answer. Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology by David J. Maloney, Jr. is a complete course book and reference guide not only for anyone who wants to learn how to appraise personal property, but also as a refresher course for those who already do. - Alan Bamberger more

I have just had a chance to read through your new book. I really enjoyed it and I'm sure I will refer to it frequently in the future. I find it very comforting to have black and white instructions for gray area situations! I would appreciate a copy of your Maloney's ACV Calculator if you wouldn't mind emailing it - it looks like a very useful tool. I really appreciate seasoned appraisers like yourself who lead the way for those of us who are up and coming in the field. - Rebecca Markman, ISA CAPP, AM

I have all the confidence that your book presents the relevant topic matter in a clear, concise and authoritative manner. I don't hesitate to think that it is poised to become the prime reference for personal property appraisers for years to come. - P.C.

Your book looks comprehensive and well organized. I will make good use of it and recommend it to my appraiser colleagues. - K.M.

Well, I certainly didn’t think I’d be including an appraisal text on my summer reading list. I’m only through about the first quarter, but on first blush, if there is something that is better than first rate, this is it. - F.W.

By the way, I love the new book!!! I have read other books by various organizations and the legal mumbo jumbo is given but not explained as well. - P.K.

I just received your new book. It's terrific!! Congratulations on once again doing something excellent and groundbreaking. - L.H.

The new book is terrific and contains everything a professional personal property appraiser needs as a resource. It will get a lot of use in the coming years. - M.A.

Your book is very impressive and easy to comprehend. - K.R