The valuation Borro places on your luxury asset is the foundation of your loan offer. It determines how much you can borrow, and getting it right — accurately and quickly — is our primary responsibility to borrowers. Here is exactly how Borro’s appraisal process works, who does it, and what they are looking for.
Accredited In-House Specialists
Borro does not outsource appraisals to third-party generalists. Our in-house specialist team has a combined 80+ years of experience across luxury watches, fine jewelry, designer handbags, exotic vehicles, and fine art. Each category is assessed by specialists who actively track secondary market pricing in that specific category — not general appraisers applying generic formulas.
Watch specialists follow live pricing across Chrono24, Watchfinder, and auction results from Christie’s, Phillips, and Sotheby’s. Handbag specialists monitor Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, and Fashionphile alongside auction comparables. Automotive appraisers track dealer networks, Barrett-Jackson, and private sale databases. This active market tracking is what allows Borro to offer loan amounts that reflect genuine current value — not lagging estimates.
The Valuation Process Step by Step
Step 1 — Initial inquiry: You submit your asset information online, including category, make/model/reference, approximate condition, and documentation status. Borro provides a preliminary loan range within a few hours based on this information.
Step 2 — Physical inspection: For most assets, Borro arranges secure, insured transport of the asset to our facility. We cover shipping costs and provide full insurance during transit. For large assets like vehicles, Borro arranges transport directly. Upon arrival, the asset is photographed and documented before any handling.
Step 3 — Specialist appraisal: The appropriate specialist team assesses the asset against current market data. For watches, this includes reference verification, movement condition, case and bracelet condition, crystal and dial condition, and documentation completeness. For handbags, authentication, hardware condition, leather condition, and interior state are all assessed. For vehicles, a full mechanical and cosmetic inspection is completed.
Step 4 — Loan offer: Borro presents a formal loan offer based on the specialist appraisal. The offer reflects the asset’s current wholesale market value at a loan-to-value ratio appropriate to the category and specific asset. You are under no obligation to accept.
Step 5 — Funding: If you accept the offer, loan documentation is completed and funding is transferred to your account. The entire process from asset arrival to funding typically completes within 24 hours.
What Borro Looks for in an Appraisal
Every appraisal answers three questions: What is this asset, exactly? What condition is it in? What would it trade for in today’s secondary market? The third question is the one that matters most for your loan amount — and it requires active market knowledge, not a static reference table.
Documentation significantly affects appraisal outcomes across every category. Original boxes, papers, authenticity certificates, service records, and purchase documentation all support higher loan amounts by reducing the uncertainty that a buyer in the secondary market would otherwise discount for.
Your Asset’s Safety During the Process
Every asset in Borro’s facility is stored in a climate-controlled, fully insured environment. Assets are covered at full appraised value from the moment they leave your possession until they are returned. Borro’s storage facility maintains comprehensive security protocols and is covered by commercial insurance appropriate to the total value of assets under management.
Start your appraisal with Borro — submit your asset information and receive a preliminary loan range within hours.
