Verbal oral antique appraisal antiques roadshow valuations inhome

William M. Novotny, ISA AM
Personal Property Appraiser

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Oral Appraisals: a Private "Antique Roadshow" in Your Home!

Novotny is an antiques and personal property appraisal expert with over 30 years of valuation experience. At your request, and if appropriate, he will provide a quick oral appraisal to answer your valuation questions. His oral appraisal reports typically proceed at a very fast pace. When properly informed by past research, study and market experience, about a property type, he can frequently appraise an hundred items per hour, especially for common and ordinary household objects of nominal value. An oral appraisal by Novotny is like having an "antiques roadshow" in your home. He may find and identify unusual or rare treasures that you may be surprised are included in your household or residential contents.

Preparing for and documenting an oral appraisal report

Be prepared. Choose an inspection time when distractions will be minimized. Determine which properties are to be included in the assignment. Provide adequate lighting and access to objects. Unless instructed otherwise he will proceed room by room valuing the objects you choose. Tag items in advance with sequential numbers. During Novotny's oral report you should record each item number and Novotny's identification and value in writing, or perhaps on an audio or visual tape recording.

Retain your documentation of his oral appraisal report together with the paperwork he provides to you which will include a definition of the appraisal problem documented in a contract, his summary of the assignment with disclosures, his signed USPAP certification and his CV or Professional Profile.

Gather sets of silver, china and stemware; separate silver from silver plate. Gather heirlooms, quilts, samplers, textiles, rugs, important signatures, photographs, letters, books, post cards, advertising, toys, tools, knives, baskets, ceramics, glass, vintage costume jewelry, clothes, Native American/Asian items, other ethnic property types and other collectibles. Gather anything you suspect could be valuable, or that you want appraised or priced prior to the inspection.

Frequently some further research is required to answer your valuation questions. It is helpful to have a computer present and connected to the internet. Otherwise he will document the relevant characteristics and do the research and report later.

He may decline to appraise some objects due to a lack of knowledge and experience with the object type. He may suggest a consultation with an appropriate expert. He may decline to do an oral report. Some valuation assignments require a formally written report. When a formal written report is required Novotny will identify, describe, measure and photograph the property more extensively and in greater detail.

Novotny requires of himself that his oral appraisal report be both credible and appropriate to the intended use of his value opinions by his client (usually a sales advisory or used for equitable distribution). His oral valuation must comply with the requirements of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Learn more about his background and how he acquired his knowledge and experience. Contact Novotny now to discuss his fee and to arrange a quick appraisal that will save you money and answer your valuation questions.