Over the years, we all accumulate objects that are important to us. Some are carefully chosen to enhance an existing collection, while others have been inherited or received as gifts. Whether your possessions hold monetary value, historical significance, or sentimental value, you should maintain thorough records about the objects for several important reasons.
Despite what TV created pickers, flippers, and pawn stars would lead you to believe, investing in antiques and collectibles is not as easy as it looks. While I do not consider myself an expert in the area of collectible investments, I have learned a few things that have worked (and not worked) for me. Here are my 6 tips for investing in the antique and collectible markets. Read more
There comes a point in every collectors’ collecting life when getting a professional appraisal will make sense—determining an item’s value for a sale, for insurance coverage, charitable donations, and estate-planning; or just simply satisfying one’s curiosity of what something is and how much it’s worth.
No matter what you collect, you can find someone to appraise it. The key however, is to find someone who’s qualified. By no means are we appraisal aficionados, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
How much is your collectible or antique worth? If you’re a seller, what price should you assign to an item? If you’re a buyer, how do you know you’re getting a fair deal? Instead of schlepping your items to an appraiser, consider an online valuation service.
Such services typically offer DIY research tools and estimates by professional appraisers and other experts in areas ranging from sports memorabilia and books, to Native American art and even classic cars. It’s important to note, these services offer valuations, not authentications. However, for the purpose of helping buyers and sellers determine a fair price, such services can be very helpful.
