Knowing what you have!
The first step in downsizing, is know the number. The number I’m referring to is the value of your personal property. Many of your belongings may have little to no value in today’s market, but some items may be of great value when appraised by a professional.
For instance, here is a list of items that will bring the most money at an estate sale or auction: Gold, jewelry, model cars, oil paintings, antique posters, water color and other art, antique dolls, toys, games, antique lamps, World War 1 and 2 items, metals, etc, ivory pieces.
General Items:
Funiture: Sofa’s love seats, chairs, recliners, tables, cocktail and end tables, table and floor lamps, piano’s, card table and chairs
Antiques: All furniture, fine arts, figurines, bronzes, brass, pewter, silver, china, glassware, crystal stemware, vases, hand painted china dolls, clocks, sterling flatware, sterling serving pieces, silver-anything, mirrors
Jewelry: Costume and fine, gem stone, 14K jewelry, antique jewelry, all costume jewelry
Arts: Framed prints, oil paintings, pastel water color paintings, movie posters, poster prints
More General Items: Books both hard and paper back, records, cassette tapes, 8 track tapes, c.d’s, video’s, radio’s, telephones, frames, bar items, fireplace screen and tools, candles, plants, planters, floral arrangements, sewing machines, fabrics, yarn, office supplies, old pens, umbrella’s, paper goods, gift wrapped items, perfumes, new cosmetics, cook books.
I would suggest going to your family, trusted advisors, friends, and co-workers to see if they have used the services of an appraiser for any items of value. If none have referrals, then you should go to the yellow pages in your area. Many cities have list companies that take great care to check out the credentials of such appraisal services. You can also refer to the Better Business Bureau in your area to make sure they are trustworthy.
When the appraiser comes to your home, make sure you let them know that your are getting 2-3 opinions as to value. This way, they will be a bit more careful when quoting a number.
In many cases, you may feel that your personal property will not have enough value monetarily for estate sale companies to take on the job of liquidating your items. (They are usually looking for $3,000-$4,000 in dollars obtained through the sale. They typically keep 1/3 of the total net.). You can again ask around for those who have use the services of companies that purchase used furniture. There are companies that will purchase every item you have and pay cash. You can look in your yellow pages under furniture, used.
If you want to donate, there are organizations that will pick up much of your personal property as donations. In my area for example, there is an organization helping battered women who need to start over in a new home setting. They are looking for furniture, dishes, linens, etc. For a list of organizations looking for donations of this type, you can check the internet, or your church, temple, or synagogue.
Remember, there is no substitute for reliable information. Get the facts, know the value of your treasures, and then you can create a game plan to start downsizing!
Tags: antiques, appraisal, appraiser, art, estate sale, furniture, jewelry, personal property, value