I’ve been thinking a lot lately about personal property. Not just the stuff that clutters our houses, but the potential wealth and legacy contained within our collections. For many of us, especially in the Baby Boomer generation, it’s time for a serious—and potentially fun—treasure hunt right in our own homes.
We need to be more mindful of what we’ve collected—its value, how that value can support us in our later years, or how we can make it a more intentional part of our estate plan.
In this episode, I have a fun look at a few items I brought out of my own house, plus a list of resources to help you start your own hunt.
Headlines: The Financial Landscape You Need to Know
Before we dive into the dusty corners, let’s look at a few financial and legal trends that make this treasure hunt timely:
2026 Tax Exemption Limits Released
- The federal estate tax exemption for 2026 will increase to $15 million per individual, with married couples exempt up to $30 million.
- The annual gift tax exclusion will remain at $19,000 per individual for 2026, with a lifetime gift and estate tax exemption of $15 million.
Inheritance Expectation Gap
A recent LegalZoom survey revealed a notable “inheritance expectation gap” between older adults’ plans to leave inheritances and younger adults’ expectations of receiving them.
- Older generations generally plan to leave more in terms of value and variety of assets (money, real estate, personal possessions, investments) than younger generations anticipate.
- This points to a critical need for open communication about financial and estate plans within families to avoid disappointment, disputes, and stress.
In fact, trillions of dollars are expected to be passed down from Baby Boomers to future generations over the next few decades as part of the so-called “Great Wealth Transfer.”
Watch Out for Medicare Scams
Medicare open enrollment is a huge target for scammers. Protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or visits.
- Never give out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information over the phone unless you initiated the call to an official source.
- Red Flag: High-pressure sales tactics that insist you must “act now” are a scam.
Talking Personal Property: More Than Just Clutter
In my line of work, personal property is one of the most cumbersome items in an estate. Who gets what? What are things really worth? What if no one wants it?
Everyone has a household of items—pots, pans, run-of-the-mill furniture. But if you take a closer look, you might find items you’ve long since forgotten—things hanging out on a shelf or in a drawer, not seen for years.
This is where the real treasure hunt begins. I encourage you to inventory these items: specifically, those you might want to earmark for certain individuals as part of your estate, and those that might be more valuable than you realize. They could either be included in your estate or provide additional funds in your older years.
What Kind of Items Am I Talking About?
I’ve looked at a few categories myself. Little dusty, but potentially worth thousands of dollars that could be a resource for long-term care or other expenses later in life:
- Old Vintage Cookbooks: A first-edition Julia Child book can go for $2,000.00!
- Historical Documents: Women’s suffrage materials from 1890-1971, especially items related to Tennessee’s ratification of the 19th Amendment, are extremely valuable.
- Concert Posters: Vintage Elvis and Johnny Cash posters? We’re talking up to $25,000.00 for the right piece.
- Paintings: Equestrian and hunting paintings can range from $200 to $10,000.00.
- Other categories: Collectibles, guns, books, musical instruments, high-end power tools, toys, woodworking sets, and jewelry.
And don’t forget the current high value of precious metals:
| Metal | Approximate Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Gold | $4,097.98 |
| Silver | $50.79 |
This could be a fun family project or something you take on with a granddaughter.
What’s My Item Worth?
Not everything is valuable, of course. My house, like yours, is filled with household items and run-of-the-mill furniture. But every so often, you find a sleeper. I’m going to have my auctioneer come in soon and share their valuations on a future show, but here are a few examples of items that surprised me:
| Item Type | Example Value Range |
|---|---|
| MCCOY Pottery | $20.00 to $500+ per sought-after item |
| SMITH CORONA Typewriter | $375 – $600.00 to $6,000.00 |
| Memorabilia | Up to $1,500.00 |
| SILVER SERVICE WARE (Reed/Barton Sterling) | Varies, high value per item |
| VINYL LPS (e.g., Sgt. Peppers) | Up to $290.00 |
| COSTUME JEWELRY (Stamped) | $10 – $50.00 |
Valuation Criteria
Every collecting category has its own criteria. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re looking for an item’s value, you need to consider:
- Completeness: Original parts, box, instructions? Part of a set?
- Condition: Damage? Restored? Is the quality of the restoration good?
- Name Association: Signed? Manufacturer’s mark or label? Is the maker well known?
- Provenance: Where did it come from? The written documentation and story can be hugely valuable, especially if associated with a famous person.
- Scarcity/Rarity: How many were made? How many survived?
- Current Demand: Is it popular with collectors right now?
- SENTIMENTAL VALUE: At the end of the day, how much do you like it? Will you ever find one again?
Resources for Your Treasure Hunt
You don’t need to be an expert to start. Here are some of the resources I use:
- ValueMyStuff: An affordable online appraisal service.
- eBay: Search for items and check the “Sold” listings to see what they actually sold for.
- Google Lens and Curio: Apps that can give you a snapshot value estimate.
- PBS Roadshow: Watch or visit when they come to town to learn what experts look for.
- Online Estimates: Check major auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s for online estimates.
- Local Auction Houses: A great way to get a local perspective on value.
- Certified Appraisers: (I’m having mine come in soon!)
Start your treasure hunt today! You might be surprised at what’s collecting dust in your own home.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and on the podcast is not intended to be considered as legal advice or constitute an attorney/client relationship as provided under the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct.
