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Advice

Tips of the Trade

First find out how much your items are worth. It is recommended to have each item evaluated in writing….this is the most important step!

The price of each item may vary depending on how and where each item is sold. Determine the best market for your situation (i.e. Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, etc) or city versus country.

The following is a list of market places to consider. Brian Lehman Evaluations Inc. cannot be held responsible for your choice. We do not have a retail outlet therefore do not purchase any items.

1. Estate Sale: We can assist you with a “What’s it Worth Brian” plan from the start to the finish. When an entire or partial household needs to be sold, we will organize, sort and price all items according to the local market. In conjunction with the sale of the contents, we also sell the real estate. We use the contents to sell the home and the home to sell the contents. We attract hundreds of people to our sales. This can be accomplished in a reasonable time period and prices are generally good. Estate sales can be very successful. Previous sales have grossed $5,000.00 to $75,000.00. Expect to pay for expert advice. Our unique formula selling your HOME & CONTENTS makes more $$$ and sense for you! Call for information (403) 249-7333.

2. Internet: Sell your items through various auction web sites. Remember – you are reaching the world market. A commission is charged to list and sell your items.GET GOOD ADVICE!

3. Retail/Consignment: Carefully select a store that is suitable for selling or consigning your items. Shop keepers do charge a fee for consignment (ranging from 35 – 60%). Find out all the details pertaining to your Terms and Conditions Agreement and insist on a contract before you drop off your items. Make sure the item(s) are listed and values are agreed upon in advance. This is usually done by calling ahead and making an appointment….do not drop in. We can assist you with a fair market appraisal before the item(s) are sent to the store.

4. Sell to a collector: This person will ultimately appreciate your item for their collection. Therefore, they may be more willing to pay a higher market price.

5. Classified Ad’s: Local classified ad’s only attract modest interest. With a lowt return on your investment. This usually comes from dealers who can only afford to pay 25% of what they feel they can get for an item. The local market is not recommended as most people who answer ads are dealers looking to “buy”, hoping to resell fora profit. Be careful who you invite into your home.

6. Sell to a dealer: This person will be buying your item(s) to re-sell. Keep in mind that they will pay very little for your item(s). See under classified ad’s.

7. Auction: This market may seem like an easy way to get rid of your items in a hurry. Remember, there are no guarantees as to what dollars you will make. You will pay a commision to the auctioneer which may be be negotiable. Predetermining the price you wish to receive is know as having a "reserve" . With this method, you still owe the auctioneer a commision even if the item does not sell. Be sure to clarify which method you wish prior to the company picking up your items.

 

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What to ask your Insurance Agent/Broker

An hour spent going through your policy, clause by clause, with your agent/broker is an hour well spent. Here are a few questions to help you get the information you need to better understand yours.

1. What does my insurance cover?
You should know what is and is not covered, so you can make contingency plans.

2. Is this coverage right for my needs?
We all have individual needs and concerns and a generic policy might not fit your specific requirements.

3. How can I decide how much insurance I need to fully protect my home?
Many homeowners are surprised at the cost of rebuilding a home, especially if theirs is only a few years old. If you are uncertain about whether or not your home is insured for its replacement value, ask your insurance agent.

4. What kind of service does my insurance company provide?
You need to know if your company has claims offices across the country and how you file a claim if you are out of town. You should also ask what other services your insurance company provides.

5. Ask about any terminology you don’t fully understand.
Remember, you are paying the agent/broker to serve your needs. If you don’t understand your coverage, or what a term means, ask for clarification.

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Why do you need the contents of your home appraised?
A. Benefits of having a written appraisal report.

1. Insurance Protection - Claims
- Fire
- Flood
- Theft
- Moving
………………………………..Estate

2. Asset Value - Matrimonial Property
- Collateral for the bank
- Personal portfolio

If you have insurance, that’s great. What does your policy cover? We recommend you have your items properly appraised with a written appraisal report including photographs. We will go through each room in your home placing an inventory number on each item, item description, photo and value of the object over $50.00. Once the report is received, contact your insurance company and ask them if the policy you currently have covers your assets in the event of a loss. Simply make sure you have enough coverage.

Q. What happens if items are stolen from your home?
A. This report can be conveniently handed over to police & insurance company for proper identification.

Q. What would happen if you had a fire in your home?
A. You must have a copy of your appraisal stored outside of your home. If you are properly insured you won’t go through the stress of recalling what you had to list for the insurance company. When a loss occurs, it’s devastating to say the least. You probably know someone who has gone through a claim; they will quickly tell you that they still remember items that were never replaced, simply because they couldn’t recall everything. From our experience working with clients, the process is not to be imagined, it is too stressful for words. Having to file a claim does not make you the bad guy.

Q. Will our insurance premiums go up if a claim is filed?
A. Definitely not during the year of the loss. However the insurance company will likely increase your premiums slightly. Check with your insurance company.

Q. Will our insurance costs increase if the value of my contents increases?
A. Not necessarily, the benefits of having your items appraised will give you the piece of mind that you are properly insured. For example: raising your content insurance from $100,000. coverage to $150,000. coverage would likely only cost an additional $75. per year.

Q. Has your insurance broker ever been to your home?
A. You can’t expect the insurance company to know the value of your items; insurance companies are not appraisers. It’s your responsibility to provide proof of value in the event of loss.

We have helped hundreds of clients over the years with totally different circumstances. We recommend you have your items appraised by an accredited professional. At no time should this party be allowed to purchase anything they appraise. There is a definite conflict of interest.

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The Care of Bronzes

Whether your bronze is an art appreciation or an investment, it is important to know how to properly care for your sculpture. Bronzes are relatively care free. Regular dusting is the minimum of care it requires. If you do find a need to clean your bronze more thoroughly, we have listed some cleaning methods below.

1. Cleaning a bronze
Remove dust with a damp sponge. To dislodge imbedded material from deep crevices, try using a Cutip, though proceed carefully.

• Do not use metal objects or wire brushes.
• Do not apply abrasives, such as cleaners; these materials will scratch the finish.

2. Silicone polishing rag
To bring out the natural-looking highlights, rub the bronze figure vigorously with a silicone treated cloth. This can be purchased at any gun dealer.

3. Transparent leather preservative
Apply the preservative to a soft damp cloth and wipe it over the surface of the bronze. Next, rub the surface with a dry soft rag, the more you rub the surface, the higher the luster.

4. Lightweight lock or watch oil
Apply the oil with a long bristled paint brush. Cover the entire figure with oil and allow the oil to set. After a few minutes, wipe the surface with a soft cloth, thus leaving the figure with a pleasing moist look.

5. Spray Wax
For general everyday upkeep, clean your bronze figure with pledge and a soft clean cloth. This will give it a protective wax finish and alleviate the dust, which can destroy the patina.

 

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The care of paintings

Original oil paintings will prove a lasting joy and sound investment for you and your family. Here are some pointers to aid you in the presentation and maintenance of your paintings.

• Temperature changes can sometimes cause the canvas to become loose. Any folds in the painting may be straightened by lightly sprinkling water on the back of the canvas and then by placing it either over a hot air register or by placing it directly in the sunlight where it will shrink. Extremely loose canvas may have to be re-stretched.
  
• Any dust that accumulates on the oil painting should be removed by lightly brushing a damp cloth over the canvas. Velvet paintings can be cleaning regularly with a vacuum cleaner attachment – but not with a damp cloth. Miracle brush can be used on a velvet surface, but never on the paint.
  
• Paintings should be hung in such a manner that they are not at an angle. Hang the paintings using wire or hooks pulled as tightly as possible, or by hanging the paintings on two headless or finishing nails placed on an even level (about ¼” – ½” apart), and protruding about half an inch from the wall.

One more tip…..be careful of the sunlight. Get advice on how and where to hang good quality art.

 

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 Resources/Services that come highly recommended

www.redbloom.ca

Your Stories

WORDS TO REMEMBER: DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING

Another month has come and gone and with it has come more tragedy in the accidental death of a 17-year old niece. A special message came to me during that time and I’d like to share it with you now – with the hope that we may all dance like nobody’s watching……

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. “This,” he said “is not a slip. This is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace.

The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. “Jan bought this the first time we went to Vancouver; at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is the occasion. He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion”. I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death.

I thought about them on the plane returning west from the prairie town where my sister’s family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I’m still thinking about his words and they’ve changed my life. I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor; not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event – such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first rose blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell our $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what my sister would’ve done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles.

I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I’m guessing – I’ll never know. It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with – someday. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write – one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband often enough how much I truly love him.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter to our lives. Any every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s never going to hurt….people say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don’t need to hold hands – because they know the other hand will always be there.

Marianne
October, 2001 – Thompsons’ Antiques Gazette

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