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Estate Valuers & Collection Appraisal
Appraising deceased estates, matrimonial division and large collections.
Fine Antiques are specialist and independent valuers of art, antiques & collectables plus other more contemporary household items.
Whether you represent a deceased estate, are planning for the inevitable, or wish an independent record of a collection and its value, we will be able to help you.
Fine Antiques staff are experienced valuers who have helped large numbers of clients through difficult times.
Some reasons for commissioning an estate or collection valuation that may relate to your situation:
- Preparation for Insurance requirements
- Financial reporting
Often families come to us with a dilemma, the family has been bequeathed the family home with its valuable contents and are experiencing troubles distributing items amongst the estates beneficiaries.
It is easy to separate and divide smaller more common objects, however more difficult when it comes to the collection of silver or that old vase handed down generation after generation. Some of the family may be happy to simply sell and divide the proceeds, where others are dumbstruck by the idea "How can you sell something that meant so much?" feeling the high sentimental value.
A written valuation will help families divide assets in a fair and equitable manner - allowing those who wish to hold family heirlooms an opportunity to do so without conflict.
Warning: Some people may think it best to sell all items through an auction house, allowing family members the option to bid at open market. This may work for lower valued objects, however it will mean that the family member placing auction bid will be forced to pay commissions ranging from an extra 25-40%+gst (auctioned items have a buyer and a seller commission added to the sale price).
While verbal appraisal for estate division is useful, we also provide full reporting to help document the distribution and proper management of estate.
As a Trustee you have an obligation to carry out wishes in a fair and equitable manner while demonstrating you made informed sensible decisions. A written valuation is an essential piece of documentation that will aid in this difficult duty.
Respect and privacy
We are privileged to have the trust and confidence allowing us to value family estates. Estates often contain very personal items of which we respect and care for, always maintaining complete privacy.
Sometimes items will need to be uplifted to be inspected further; an example of this is Jewelry that will need to be taken to laboratory for detailed inspection. In these cases we treat items as if the were our own, protecting from theft and damage. Items removed from the estate should be insured by the estates insurance.
For further reading please see Fine Antiques Privacy Policy.
Liquidation and clearance of assets
While Fine Antiques act as independent valuers we can also provide management of the estates liquidation and cleaning through our sister company, The Estate Clearance Company - our services maximises the asset value of your contents while reducing stress & hassle.
Our knowledge of which auction houses, dealers, and online methods realise the best prices for different types of items allows us to ensure good strong results in a timely fashion.
There is another advantage of engaging us to manage the clearance of your estate, our services through The Estate Clearance Company also include the cleaning to sale ready condition of the property, house and land. There are also options to maintain the property during the sales period.
I recently engaged Fine Antiques to provide a comprehensive Insurance valuation of my household contents that was required in order to alter my insurance cover arrangements .
Previous valuations had left me concerned about the accuracy and reliability in regards to some of the assessments .
Paul and Bridget were presented with a large collection of antiques assembled over many years . A number of items were rare and unusual .
Their response was prompt , professional and impressive . A lot of time and trouble was gone to ensuring that an accurate and reliable valuation was achieved that I could have confidence in .
Communication was excellent throughout and my concerns , thoughts and opinions were taken notice of . At all times I felt they were interested in the material they were handling and listened to my knowledge of individual items .
After the valuation was completed I queried a few of the figures and they were only too happy to review these – and in a very few cases – to amend in a friendly and helpful manner .
I feel the quality of the service I received was the best I have ever had from a valuer and I am very pleased to provide this recommendation . I would have no hesitation in using their services again in the future ..
Dr Gordon Goodwin
27 June 2017
