When you work in agriculture, your equipment represents a large portion of your investment in your farm. with combines costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, many farmers are ready to invest in used equipment. But before you sell your older machinery, have you had a farm equipment appraiser take a solid look at it and provide you with a written valuation report? If you haven't, you may be missing out on potential profits that you can then roll into your farm to improve your operation and situation. Here's a quick look at several reasons why you should always have a farm equipment valuation specialist provide you with an appraisal report before you sell it.

3 reasons why you should have a farm equipment appraiser check your equipment before selling

1. Can you get more than you're asking for machinery before you scare off potential buyers with prices that are too high? Not knowing your equipment's value in the first place may lead you to make assumptions about what it's actually worth based on the local advertisements, online ads or what your neighbor may have gotten for similar machinery not that long ago. A qualified equipment valuation specialist can determine exactly what your equipment is worth, giving you a solid starting point and a great tool for negotiation.
2. Are there any ways you can make simple repairs that quickly improve the value of your machinery? When an equipment appraiser looks at your machinery to determine its value, it's important to remember that they work with machinery like yours all the time. This means that they're familiar with all of its quirks, including common points of failure for specific manufacturers and models. If they see something that may appear just a touch off, they may be able to advise you about repairs that will prevent more expensive repairs and improve value for your buyers.
3. Is your equipment in demand in other parts of the country? If your equipment is not in high demand because of shifting market prices or changing environments, it may still be in demand in other areas. When you work with qualified equipment appraisers, you're seeing professionals who stay on top of all of the latest developments in agriculture. They can tell you whether you're in a good place to sell your equipment or if you may want to look elsewhere, such as an online auction site or similar option, to sell your equipment at the best possible profit in another part of the country or even world.

By having a farm equipment appraiser check your machinery before you sell it, you can improve the profit on your sale and have more money to invest in your operation. But don't settle for your local ag equipment dealership, whose sales reps and appraisers may think they have a vested interest in skewing the results of their appraisal to their own benefit by offering you more or less than your machinery is worth in hope of a quick sale. Don't settle for anything less than a certified equipment appraiser, who has solid experience and expertise in determining the value of your machinery equipment and can provide you with solid advice as to your equipment's real-world value.