Valuation is not an easy task! 

Personal property appraisals are challenging. The types of objects needing appraisal are unlimited, created throughout time of multiple materials for different uses and purposes from all over the world. Each object must be identified and it's characteristics, relevant to value, must be identified and understood from the proper market perspective.

When value is in doubt - Find Out!

Check credentials (CV/Resume)

Ask all  appraisers you interview if they completed the 15-Hour USPAP course, passed the test and have taken all current 7 Hour USPAP Update Courses since. Ask if they are a member of a professional appraisal society or association? 

If  they answer "no" - proceed cautiously! 

Most Types of Objects

Types of Personal Property Residential Contents Appraised

  • William Novotny is a general collectibles, antique, art and personal property appraiser in Los Angeles.


  • A personal property appraiser must be independent, objective, impartial, unbiased and competent.


  • All appraisal reports, written or oral, must comply with minimum standards (USPAP) and must be suitable for the intended use.


  • A General personal property  appraiser must be competent and qualified to solve complex appraisal problems with many property types.


  • William Novotny has 38 years of experience. He will provide meaningful, well reasoned value opinions defensible by data and worthy of belief by every client 

Report Credibility based on Intended Use

Professional Expert  Antiques Appraiser



Value in Doubt? Find Out!

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You’ve made an important and wise decision to seek an antique appraiser. Carefully consider this:

Rest Easy. Use Novotny as your antiques and personal property appraiser. He will:

Intended Use

Welcome!


Antiques, Furniture, Decorative Art, Fine Art, Collectibles, Glass, Metals, Ceramics, Toys, Dolls, Lighting, Textiles, Rugs, Quilts, Samplers, Couture, Books, Posters, 
Folk Art, Records, Military, Sporting and Scientific Objects, Far Eastern (Asian) Objects, Native American Objects, General Household Goods and Residential Contents (both appreciating and depreciating)

  • •    act competently and ethically,
  • •    understand your valuation problem,
    •    use the applicable value definition,
    •    research the appropriate market level,
    •    perform the necessary scope of work,
    •    solve your appraisal problem credibly,  
    •    and prepare a meaningful oral or written     report.



Since 1979 :
General Antiques Appraiser and Personal Property Appraiser 
in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Gabriel Valley and So. California.
  • Personal Property Appraiser
  • Ethical and Competent
  • Careful Problem Identification
  • Flexible Scope of Work
  • Market Research as needed
  • Carefully Developed Opinions
  • Oral or Formal Reports
  • Credible Opinions
  • USPAP Compliant
  • Expert Witness Background
  • AQB Certified USPAP Instructor
  • Instructor of Appraisal Theory Methods, Practice and Report Writing
  • Dedicated To Do It Right
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Determining value is not an easy task. Appraising is not an exact science. The appraisal process followed by a competent personal property appraiser is objective and market based. A competent general antiques appraiser must identify the problem and determine whether they are competent to solve the problem identified. If so, then the appraiser accepts the assignment and proceeds to develop credible assignment results.  Then the appraiser must produce a meaningful, appropriate and complete personal property appraisal report that is worthy of belief (even if the report is only brief and delivered verbally). The appraiser must always understand and comply with the minimum standards (USPAP) in order to protect the public. Appraisers must act competently and ethically at all times.


A general antiques appraiser and personal property appraiser begins by communicating carfully to determine that they are sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable to complete the appraisal assignment competently.  Only then can the personal property  appraiser accept a job because they know what needs to be dont and are able to conduct the scope of work necessary to solve the problem identified. The methods and techniques necessary to solve different assignments types varies greatly. The appraiser must choose and use the valuation methods and techniques that are necessary to solve the valuation problem initially presented by the client.


Appraisers must understand each subject property type and the relevent market to investigate.  The appraiser must be competent with the assignment type and the assignment conditions that apply. The appraiser must be aware of, understand and correctly employ the theory and methods necessary to choose and analyze the appropriate market, to identify the relevant economic and geographic factors that apply as well as the demand factors (value and quality characteristics) of the subject property necessary to determine value.  The burden is on the appraiser to do what ever is necessary to produce credible assignment results. It is not an easy task.


There are ever changing market factors and economic conditions at play. There are competing and alternative markets in which any given property could be sold. When value is significant the appraiser must select appropriate comparable objects and consider competing markets and market accessibility. As value increases the so does the diligence needed to identify relevant data, and apply a proper comparative analyses to ensure that the assignment results are worthy of belief. 


When the personal property appraiser determines the assignment results developed are worthy of belief by intended users of the report, the appraiser must then communicate the opinions, analyses and conclusions  to the client in a manner that is not misleading and that can be properly understood. This requires sufficient disclosure of the scope of work performed and a statement of all limiting conditions and assumptions that applied so that intended users can properly and meaningfully evaluate the report, judge its relevance and determine to what extent to rely upon it. The appraisal report options are flexible, depending upon intended use and assignment type. Sometime an oral report, accompanied by an "Oral Appraisal Report Disclosures" form,  provides context to make the report meaningful and very cost effective.


A general personal property appraiser must act competently and ethically at all times in order that the public (the client and intended users) have a basis to invest their trust in the appraisers opinions, analyses and conclusions. 


When Value is in doubt...Find out! Contact William Novotny,  a general antiques appraiser and personal property appraiser. He will provide you with a proper personal property appraisal report using an appropriate report option such as an oral appraisal report, restricted appraisal report or a more comprehensive appraisal report.


Please note that Novotny DOES NOT BUY personal property. It would be perceived as a conflict of interest.


Visit thee new Novotny Appraisal Service website! PersonalPropertyValued.com


Novotny can assist you with an Estate Sale

General Antiques Appraiser -  Personal Property Appraiser 

"Value in Doubt? Find Out!"

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General Antiques and Personal Property Appraiser 


​Personal Property Appraiser - Residential Contents Appraiser - Household Goods Appraiser - General Antiques  Appraiser - Rare Objects Appraiser
  • 20 years full time antiques dealer at several large stores, (largest 20,000 sf  from 1979-1986), antique malls and antique shows (1979-1999)
  • 25 years pricing antiques & personal property for liquidation at Estate Sales (since 1989)
  • Since 1993 a general personal property appraiser
  • (AQB Certified USPAP  Instructor since 2002)
  • Published 5 personal property appraisal  journal articles as well as online appraisal standards courses since 2008


Valuation services since 1979

Most Intended Uses:

Expert Witness/Litigation Support, Decision Making,

IRS Tax, Trust Management, Probate,

Equitable Distribution, Divorce, Estate Planning,

Sales Advisory,  Appraisal Review

Complex Assignments, Preliminary Reports 

Single Objects or Complete Houseful -  

REPORT OPTIONS: Oral Appraisal, 

Restricted Appraisal Report or a comprehensive, formal Appraisal  Report


A complete description of important objects includes:

• Maker, Model #, Pattern, Artist

• Type of Object (Title and Description)

• Period (Date Created/Circa)

• Medium (Material) Country

• Dimensions

• Signature, inscriptions-other identifying details

• Condition & quality/rarity/provenance, ETC.