Expert: Jamie Novak - 10/12/2008

Question
I read that you have referred appraisers to other people. I am in need of an
estate appraiser in the Detroit Metro area. My mom's estate has some antique
furniture, Madam Alexander dolls, figurines, old books, among other things
that my sisters and I do not know the value of. What type of questions should
I ask the appraiser? I have been told to find one that works for a flat fee,
rather than a percentage. If you could help steer us in the right direction, I
would appreciate it. Thanks in advance... Kathleen Rasky

Answer
Kathleen thank you for the question. I hope I can help.

You are correct that you DO NOT want to work with an appraiser who charges a percentage of the value or who is willing to buy the items.

There are appraisers who charge a flat rate, usually hourly, so I'd ask about how long they think it will take.

Aside from an appraiser you can do some work on your own with the reference librarian at a local library. Most are VERY willing to help. There are books where you can look things up based on marks on the items to help identify them.

Another alternative is to check out ebay.com simply search for the items you have to see what they are selling for. Most people do the research before they list the item, so you can get lots of information that way.

I found this company and they have great reviews http://estatesalesdetroit.com/
14246 Michigan Ave, Dearborn - (313) 582-3074

And here are some local appraisers, I got these from  www.appraisers.org

Good luck! -Jamie

Tom A. Simatos, AM  
   Chesterfield, MI  48047
    (586) 201-7695  
   usersims@hotmail.com  
   Personal Property /Automotive Specialties  
   
   
   Michael F. Kurschat, ASA  
   Troy, MI  48084-3438  
   (248) 816-9166  
   kurschat@kurschatco.com  
   Real Property /Urban  
   
   
   Brian Stephen Kirksey, ASA  
   Rochester, MI  48307  
   (248) 336-2086  
   bkirksey@kresinc.com  
   www.kresinc.com  
   Real Property /Urban  
   
   
   Jamie J. Muter, ASA  
   Troy, MI  48085-5082  
   (248) 526-0227  
   muterassoc@aol.com  
   Real Property /Urban  
   
   John T. Abbott, AM  - Master Gemologist Appraiser®  
   Birmingham, MI  48009-0912  
   (248) 644-8565  
   john@abbottscorp.com  
   www.appraisers.org/pages/memberpage.cfm?id=12377  
   Gems & Jewelry  
   Personal Property /Numismatics  
   
   Paul Del Grosso, ASA  
   Troy, MI  48083-4452  
   (248) 609-0272  
   Personal Property /Numismatics  
   
    
   Stephen B. DeNio, ASA  
   Farmington, MI  48336-4553  
   (248) 478-3386  
   steved1no@yahoo.com  
   Real Property /Urban  
   
   Hugh L. Gedrich, ASA  
   Southfield, MI  48076-7142  
   (248) 443-2622  
   hlg@completeappraisal.com  
   www.completeappraisal.com  
   Business Valuation  
   Real Property /Residential  
  
   
   David Jerome Kramer, ASA  
   Waterford, MI  48328  
   (248) 625-8114  
   kramerasa@hotmail.com  
   Real Property /Ad Valorem  
   
  
   John S. Laing, ASA  
   Sterling Heights, MI  48310-1903  
   (586) 795-4116  
   jslaing@aol.com  
   Real Property /Ad Valorem  
   
   Lisa A. Hobart, ASA  
   Birmingham, MI  48009-5165  
   (248) 451-4850  
   l_hobart@wbtwp.com  
   Real Property /Ad Valorem  
   
   
   Micheal Ray Lohmeier, FASA  
   Southfield, MI  48076-3710  
   (248) 368-8873  
   mlohmeier@virchowkrause.com  
   www.appraisers.org/pages/memberpage.cfm?id=10077  
   Real Property /Ad Valorem  
   Real Property /Residential  
   
   Melvin L. Jacobs, ASA  
   West Bloomfield, MI  48322  
   (248) 539-1110  
   meljacobs1@aol.com  
   Real Property /Urban  
 

   Charles E. Tholen, ASA  
   Birmingham, MI  48012  
   (248) 647-4510  
   cetholen@sbcglobal.net  
   Real Property /Urban  
   
   Donald E. Bowen, II, ASA  
   Oxford, MI  48371-5289  
   (248) 891-5060  
   dbcountry@charter.net  
   Real Property /Urban  
      
   Donald E. Larkin, AM  
   Harper Woods, MI  48225-1129  
   (313) 884-6476  
   Real Property /Residential  
   
   James Krol, ASA  - Master Gemologist Appraiser®  
   Birmingham, MI  48009-6150  
   (248) 644-8828  
   bgsjrk@sbcglobel.net  
   www.birminghamgemological.com  
   Gems & Jewelry