If you are ever in a situation where you have to move/downsize or handle the estate of a family member or friend, an appraiser can be an important resource. For example, you may not know that your Red Sox memorabilia may be worth $1,000,000 (which is what one family discovered at an Antiques Roadshow taping) These two recently published articles describe some of the situations in which people may want to consult with a personal property appraiser and how to find a certified appraiser:
Huffington Post: Downsizing or Handling an Estate? A Qualified Personal Property Appraiser Can Help
Washington Post: When Mom and Dad are Gone, How Best to Get Rid of a Lifetime of Possessions
Appraisers need to complete rigorous testing and training requirements in order to receive certification, which is conferred by organizations approved by the Appraisal Foundation (AAA, ASA, ISA). As a consumer and potential client, you should ensure that any appraiser you consult with is currently certified. Also, be wary of an appraiser who charges you a percentage of the appraisal value, as the Washington Post article describes.
Here at NYU SPS CALA , we offer courses every semester in personal property appraising, with a focus on fine and decorative arts. Upcoming courses include:
Intensive in Appraisal/Connoisseurship: Fine Arts
Intensive in Appraisal/Connoisseurship: Household Goods
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising
Appraising 500 Years of Latin American Art
Great information. Thank you.