“Pretty Sure I Have Enough Insurance”

- a statement that invites heartbreak.

As the U.S. economy recovers, I’m hearing from more and more clients who have realized their home owner’s insurance would not adequately cover damage or loss of their items or collection.

Others are aware their things do or probably do have value but are seeking a professional evaluation to help determine the level of coverage needed.

Still, others have inherited things which carry assurances of value from the departed family member – but curiosity lingers alongside the awareness that these things should be insured.

A big part of my business is helping these three types of people. It is also highly rewarding for me personally.

Almost every time we find a hidden gem, or at least something truly surprising. It could be an item that carries some previously undiscovered historical component. Or it could be an item everyone assumed had little value but actually had significant value!

Let’s not take any chances. Give me a call and let’s discuss your situation and needs!

About Your Stuff: Fact or Belief

Sometimes a client believes they know all about their item before they reach out to me for an appraisal. 

Sometimes this information is the product of a generation or more of family members repeating - and sometimes adding to - the romantic lore around an item. Many times, though, they only have part of the story.

One of the hardest tasks I face as an appraiser and historian is telling someone their beloved story is only partially true or that the current market doesn’t support their assumption of value. The worst is when I have to contradict some deeply held or sentimental belief.

While there are many wonderful things about being an appraiser, one of the best moments for me is when I suspect that reality is even more interesting and windswept than family lore. Admittedly, such moments are rare. However, it’s always wonderful when I am able to tell them straight away and illustrate the point with physical evidence provided by the item itself.

Yet no matter what the news, there’s an art to informing a client gracefully.

Long before I deliver a report, though, comes the research phase. It is in this magical period, my favorite in fact, that I may discover a previously obscure historical aspect or component of the item about which my client had no clue. 

It is in this ability to sniff out historical detail that I take especial pride.

It might be as simple as translating an obscure phrase, deciphering an unknown symbol or logo, tracing a signature or maker’s mark. Yet because such historiographical detail may add significant support or additional value to their item, it is vital to a complete and accurate appraisal.

As I always say, be certain of identity and value – call your appraiser!

Blenheim Palace Flower Pot Turns Out to Be a Roman Coffin

Be sure of identity and value -- call your appraiser!

“A large marble container used as a flowerpot at Blenheim Palace for 200 years has turned out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus.

The coffin was brought to the grounds by the fifth Duke of Marlborough in the 19th Century where it was first used as a water feature.

Until recently it featured in the palace’s rock garden displaying flowers but has since been put on display indoors to protect it.

It has been valued at £300,000.”

Read the full story from the BBC here: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-39216040

Appraisers Solve Problems!

You have stuff. Some of it has been given to you by grandma or other family members. Some of it has simply accumulated through the years. Maybe it’s an entire collection of things. You like some of the stuff. Maybe you even like a lot of it. But some of the stuff fills you with inertia. Unfortunately, some of it is a downright annoyance.

You’re pretty sure there’s value in some of it, so there’s one looming question: 

What am I going to do with it?

Sure, you’ll find somewhere to put the stuff you really like, but is it stored correctly and adequately protected by insurance? You’re not absolutely sure? Well, don’t worry -- that’s quite normal.

An appraiser can help you separate the ‘wheat from the chaff,’ and outline options before your next step, based on your unique situation. Whether your ultimate goal ends up being selling, scheduling insurance, making a charitable donation, or something else, your appraiser will be able to provide valuable information that will help you make an informed decision and protect yourself and your heirs from future unknowns – near or far.

Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice: Why They're Important

Personal property often requires a formal appraisal in order to obtain insurance, settle a claim, help determine estate tax liability, document a charitable donation, aid in equitable distribution, or just in preparation for resale. Other times you may simply be curious about what you have, its potential value, or just what to do with it. That’s where I come in with a formal or verbal appraisal, or consultation.

More and more people are realizing that their basic homeowner insurance policies are likely not enough to cover their collection of antiques. Other times items are shrouded in mystery, especially inherited pieces thought to have historical significance or special value. Accurate identification or confirmation of value is very important because it almost always determines your next step in protecting your property.

But not all appraisers are equal! You will hear some of us that are part of professional appraisal associations such as the International Society of Appraisers, talk about “Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice,” or USPAP.

What are these standards and why are they important to an appraisal?

Think of them as quality control standards for appraising both real estate and personal property. In the United States they are administered by the Congressionally-authorized Appraisal Foundation. The IRS requires appraisals for their use to be USPAP compliant. Appraisers that are members of reputable associations like the ISA are required to maintain USPAP-compliance.

Whether you need a formal or verbal appraisal, or just basic advice, USPAP compliance is the truest indication of an appraiser’s seriousness and professionalism.

If you have an artifact, antique, artwork, rare book, general collectible, or an entire estate – give me a call or send me an email, I’m ready to help!

For more information on USPAP, click here.