Antique Bedroom Set value
Invaluable is an auction site for art and antiques, and it provides free information on the value of items sold on the site. You can browse through the furniture by manufacturer name or the type of piece to get an idea of its value.
WorthPoint
WorthPoint specializes in recent sales of specific items of antique furniture and art. You can use the past auction results and sale prices to assign a value to your item. To see the results of your search, you'll need to subscribe to the service, which starts at about $10 per month.
Auction and Antiques Sites
Although most auction sites don't provide antique valuation services, they do offer a great deal of information. Peruse current listings to find out how much your furniture might be worth. The following sites sell or hold auctions for antique furniture on a regular basis:
Appraising Your Antique Furniture for Insurance
If you own valuable antique furniture, you may want to list it separately for insurance purposes. Typically, the insurance value of an antique item is the highest retail value for that item. In other words, it's best to insure your antique furniture for the maximum amount of money it would cost to replace that item if it were lost or damaged. Typically, insurance companies an item will require you to get a formal written appraisal from a professional appraiser. This means you will not be able to rely on furniture values from printed guides or online lookup services. Instead, you'll need to seek out a certified antiques appraiser in your area.
There are several ways to find a certified antiques appraiser:
- Contact local antique dealers and auctioneers and ask them to recommend an accredited certified appraiser.
- Often antique appraisers are available or advertise their business, at antique events and shows. Attend these events when possible.
- Speak to your insurance agent about certified appraisers recommended by the insurance company.
- Contact a major auction house, such as Sotheby's or Christie's, for value lookups on extremely rare or valuable antique furniture.
Understanding Antique Furniture Values
In addition to the insurance value for your furniture, there are several kinds of values you may see when you perform lookups. It's a good idea to be familiar with the following terms:
- Fair market value - This is the price a buyer and a seller agree upon when neither one is under any pressure to buy or sell the item. Both parties need to be aware of any relevant information and facts about the particular item.
- Estate or tax value - This value is determined by the IRS by averaging the actual auction prices of similar items.
- Retail value or retail price - This is the price an item sells for at an antique shop.
- Wholesale value - This is the price that an antique dealer generally pays for a piece. It is approximately 30% to 50% less then the item would sell for on the secondary market.
- Auction value - This is the open market price the item would generally sell for when neither the buyer nor seller is in a forced sale position.
Most of these values are given in a dollar range rather then a specific figure. As you view the various values for your antique furniture, it's important to understand that this range reflects the furniture's condition, current market demand, and other significant factors that can vary based on the specific piece or the region in which it is sold.
Helpful Tips for Looking Up Antique Furniture Values
As you look up your furniture using the tools on the Internet and at your local bookstore, keep the following tips in mind:
- List everything you know about your antique furniture. This may include the manufacturer, the patent number, the materials used, and other information. This will help you narrow down your search results.
- Assess the furniture's condition. Condition is a major factor in determining value. Is your furniture in good shape, or will in require restoration? This can help you place your piece within a price range.
- Look up your furniture using several different tools. You may find that you receive different values from various sources.
- If in doubt, have your furniture appraised by a certified professional. This is especially important if you'll be using your furniture value for insurance purposes.
Many Helpful Tools
If you're interested in looking up the value of your antique furniture, you have many tools at your disposal. In addition to the helpful print guides available in stores and at your local library, you can find out about the worth of your furniture online. Either way, it's important to remember that the values assigned by these resources are informal and do not substitute for a professional appraisal.
