Over time, people tend to accumulate things. Whether you’ve been spending time growing your own collection or you’ve inherited someone else’s belongings, you’re going to want to understand how much the items that you have are worth.

While you may be able to get a rough idea of the possibilities through some internet sleuthing, nothing can replace the eye of an expert, who will be able to determine exactly how much your item should be sold for. Below, you’ll learn some considerations to keep in mind when getting your collectibles appraised. Specifically, we’ll be discussing who should appraise your collectibles and what you can do with valued items if it’s not the right time to sell.

Who Should Appraise My Collectibles?

When determining where to get your collectibles appraised, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. The first is the simplest: the person appraising your collectible shouldn’t have a financial interest in its value.

This is why you don’t want to get an item appraised at a pawn shop, for instance. While they’re willing to appraise it for free, they only do so in order to turn a profit themselves.

You’re going to get a more honest appraisal from a professional who charges you for the service. The exact price and payment setup will vary between appraisers, but it’s common for them to charge a flat fee. You’ll want to avoid appraisers who charge based on how much the items you bring in are worth; once again, you’re less likely to get an accurate appraisal because they have a financial interest in how much the item is appraised for.

While it’s most convenient to hire an appraiser, you may also want to see if there are any appraisal fairs in your area. The appraisers at these fairs often offer appraisals cheaply since they can perform more inspections in a single day when there are so many other interested customers.

What Should I Do With Valuables That I’m Not Ready To Sell?

Even if you have a valuable item, there are several reasons why it might not be the right time to sell. Maybe you need time to find the right buyer; maybe growing your collection a bit would make it significantly more valuable.

Regardless of the reason, you may be having difficulty storing your belongings at home. In that case, a storage unit can be an excellent solution. It gives you the space you need, and while you’re storing your collection, you may choose to use that space for other valuables that you don’t need year-round.

High Quality Storage in Brickell – Xtra Storage

If you’re looking for storage units in Miami, you’ve come to the right place. At Xtra Storage, we offer a wide range of companies in Aventura, Brickell, Kendall, and Plantation.

Our Brickell location can be found near Miami and Little Havana. If you want to get a free quote, you can call us at 305.257.9307. For information on any of our four store locations, you can fill out our contact page.