Dark Horse Appraisals

Who Needs the Services of a Personal Property Appraiser?

Life is full of challenges, and some can be overwhelming. Executors of estates need to settle probate. Parties navigating the difficult waters of a divorce. A business owner selling business assets. Anyone who is downsizing and wants a current valuation on items they wish to sell. Anyone needing to find replacement value for insurance reasons. And sometimes, simply for the sake of personal curiousity.

An appraiser is an independent, impartial third party with no personal or professional interest in the items of appraisal. Lack of bias is crucial while current values are found for items of appraisal. An appraiser will back up their findings with a written appraisal report.

Dark Horse Appraisals is owned & operated by Susan L. Andrews, an accredited member (in good standing) of the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Organization (CPPAO). The CPPAO complies with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and is recognized throughout Canada and the United States. Appraisers affiliated with the CPPAO are bound to a high standard of ethics, conduct and adherence to industry standards while performing an appraisal.

There are several factors to consider during an appraisal, including: physical condition, age, make and model, authenticity, provenance, desirability, scarcity, use, obsolescence and current market/economic conditions. An appraisal may also factor in transportation and/or removal costs.

The main forms of value found during an appraisal are Fair Market Value, Replacement Value and Liquidation Value.

• Fair Market Value (FMV) is the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under compulsion to buy or compulsion to sell, with both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. This type of value is commonly used for probating wills, estate dispersal, divorce, bankruptcy and private sale.

• Replacement Value (RV) is the cost of replacing a particular item when it is either lost or destroyed, usually for insurance purposes, though it may also be a factor in private sales.  
• Liquidation Value (LV) is generally required when circumstances call for an immediate or forced sale and is often a percentage of the item’s Fair Market Value.

Does Dark Horse Appraisals also act as an art dealer, antique dealer or auctioneer?

In a word, no.

Yes, I do work with auction houses and antique dealers, as we are in the same industry. For an apprasiser to appraise items one moment and then offer to purchase them is highly unethical. However, should a client request assistance in terms of where to best sell an item that I have appraised, I am happy to act as an intermediary and put them in contact with the numerous auctioneers, art galleries and antique dealers that I do know.

Art Brokering Services

Yes, Dark Horse Appraisals does offer art brokering services. Having worked in the auction industry, I have established myself as a reputable appraiser with a number of regional and national auction houses. My role as a broker is to act as an intermediary between client and auction house.

While appraising the artwork, I will be able to determine how well that artist is currently selling, and if a particular auction house has a consistent track record of realizing good prices for that artist. I consult with the client before approaching the auction house with a detailed precis to determine their level of interest in selling it. Should they agree to take on the artwork, I then work with the client to ensure that it is safely delivered to the auction house. It is then up to the auction house to determine into which auction they will place the artwork. Once the painting sells, my fee is 10% of the hammer price: so if the hammer price is $8000, my fee would be $800. There also exists the possibility that a painting does not initially sell; if that is the case further options are explored.

Appraisal vs Valuation: What’s The Difference?

Both appraisals and valuations are performed on-site by Dark Horse Appraisals and are researched in the same manner. The first question appraisers generally ask is, ‘What is the purpose of the appraisal?’

Appraisal: an appraisal is a written legal document, usually required by financial institutions, lawyers and insurance companies. Hence the higher expense of having an appraisal done, as the legal nature of the document must ensure that it is as watertight as possible.

Valuation: A valuation can be verbal or written. Watchers of Antiques Roadshow are seeing verbal valuations being performed by appraisers. Verbal valuations are timely and reflect the current demand for the item, but no legal documentation is provided. A written valuation will provide the appraiser’s findings in document form, but it is not a legal document. For those who are simply interested in the value of an item for personal interest only, and wish to have a document written by an appraiser to show others, a written valuation is a much more affordable option than an appraisal.