When value is in doubt - Find Out!

Antiques and personal property appraisals are challenging.The types of objects are many: old or new, big or small, of multiple materials for different uses and purposes, from all over the world and from throughout all time.

Each object must be identified and it's characteristics, relevant to value, must be understood from the proper market perspective.

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!

Appraisal Intended Uses & Objectives

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)

General Collectibles, Antiques and Personal Property Appraiser in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Gabriel Valley and So. California.

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.

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:

Most Types of Objects

Welcome!

Personal Property Object Types Appraised

Since 1979 :

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

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 that apply (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

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Intended Use

Professional Expert Antiques Appraiser

Personal Property Appraiser
Ethical and Competent
Careful Problem Identification
Flexible Scope of Work
Relevant Market Based
Carefully Developed Opinions
Flexible Report Options
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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General Antiques Appraiser - Personal Property Appraiser

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

"Value in Doubt? Find Out!"

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General Antiques and Personal Property Appraiser

• 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.

Determining value is not an easy task. Appraising is not an exact science. The appraisal process followed by competent appraisers is objective and market based. A competent personal property appraiser must identify the problem, determine whether they are competent to accept the assignment, and solve the problem identified. Then the appraiser proceeds to develop credible assignment results and produce a meaningful, appropriate and complete personal property appraisal report that is worthy of belief. 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 and personal property appraiser begins by completely investigating all relevant assignment conditions carefully in communication with the client upon first contact. This is necessary in order 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 understand and are able to conduct the scope of work necessary to solve the problem identified. The most important part of the appraisal process is careful initial communication with the client at the time of the assignment to properly identify the problem. The methods and techniques necessary to solve different assignments types vary. The appraiser must utilize the valuation methods and techniques that are necessary to solve the valuation problem.

Appraisers must have sufficient knowledge and experience regarding each subject property type and assignment type to complete the assignment competently. 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. The appraiser must identify the appropriate and relevant market to investigate based on the intended use of the report by the client, the relevant value definition that applies and the value characteristics of the subject property. 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 that have been impartially and independently 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 extent of the appraisal report narrative of the solution to the valuation problem identified, such as the value approach, a summary or statement of the appraiser's reasoning and analyses

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 doubt...Find out! Contact William Novotny, a general antiques and personal property appraiser. He will provide you with a proper personal property appraisal using a carefully selected 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.

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Valuation services since 1979

Antique and Personal

Property Appraiser