Our motto is to provide complete estate appraisal services including, but not limited to:
- Appraisals
- Liquidation
- Estate Sales
- Consultation
- Residential Clean-Out
- Shipping to Heirs
- Insurance Appraisals for shipping.
- Organization of properties within the house for distribution.
- On-site supervision for identification and distribution to heirs.
- On-site supervision in cases of discord among heirs. We can be on-site to supervise pick-up and signing of receipts for items distributed to heirs.
- Prepare the residence for the family. First, we remove refuse. Then we separate valuables from junk and organize the residence by categorizing properties (i.e., locating family pictures, family memorabilia, business papers) and placing in labeled boxes. We’ll use separate rooms to display various categories (linens, costume jewelry, porcelains) and items of value to enable the family to view and choose what they wish to keep.
- Estate sales. Using utmost respect for the decedent and family, we will display only the items we feel should be sold in an appropriate manner in order to receive the highest price possible. If the family does not wish to have an estate sale or the public in the residence, we can 1) hold a private estate sale or private showing, 2) take selective consignment and donate the balance, or 3) purchase the complete estate.
- Consign to auction. With our expertise and having successfully consigned over $12 million to auction, we can negotiate auction fees and costs with major auction houses. We are fully-versed in the important aspects of consigning to auction: placing photographs, proper placement in the catalog, best time of the year to sell, the best auction house for consigning (one which specializes in your particular property).
A staff of trained professionals with over 25 years experience in selling complete estates will handle all the details. Estate inventory is reviewed by our appraisal staff who have expert knowledge of market levels and collector sources.
Put Your Trust in Us
Very often, heirs of estates will arrive at their family home with no idea of how to proceed. Lawyers hoping to close the estate as soon as possible often are not familiar with what items of value might be in their clients’ homes. They must rely on their client to inform them. Very often this knowledge is not given to the attorney, fiduciary, trust officer, executor, or CPA. Frequently, there are no receipts of purchases, insurance reports, or lists or provenance of items found in the home. The decedent purchased the items over a lifetime, many times for a minimal amount, lived with the items over the years, and have not realized they have increased in value.
For example, a plein air painting purchased for $75 from the trunk of an artist’s car in 1950 can be worth over $35,000 today. The decedent still considered the painting worth $75, the children consider it a painting that has been on the wall for a long time with no particular value. A picker or neighbor could buy it for $150 and the family would think they are making a big profit. We frequently receive calls on this type of situation.
It’s not too late! Call me before it happens. Always get an educated opinion backed up by research.