William M. Novotny ISA AM
Personal Property Appraiser
An appraisal is an independent, objective, impartial, unbiased, reasoned opinion of value by a competent, ethical and qualified appraiser.A formal appraisal report is a professional, carefully written, signed document suitable for submission to insurance companies, the courts, the Internal Revenue Service and all private clients.
All appraisers should comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) which establishes the minimum ethical and performance standards necessary to protect public trust in appraisers.
In 2003 Novotny was the first personal property appraiser (#10138) to be certified by the Appraisal Foundation to teach USPAP to other personal property appraisers. Find out more.
When you retain Novotny for a personal property appraisal he will:
• Act competently, ethically and in compliance with USPAP
• Properly identify and understand the appraisal problem
• Determine and perform the scope of work necessary to solve the problem
• Develop supportable value opinions and conclusions that are worthy of your belief and that addresses and answers the appraisal problem posed by you
• Report his opinions, analyses and conclusions in a meaningful manner that is relevant, complete, easily understandable and not misleadingSee the appraiser's primary task (to understand the client's intended use), and the final task (to ensure that the report is worthy of belief relevant to intended use) Not all appraisers are qualified.
Contact Novotny now for a credible appraisal!
Knowledge and Experience of Novotny
Competency Matters
A credible appraisal is one that properly identifies all elements of the appraisal problem, and that results from a scope of work that is sufficient to develop credible assignment results that are relevant to the intended use of the appraisal on the effective date. The assignment results must be consistent with the applicable value definition, and based on comparable sales in the relevant market level to the extent that is necessary. It must be informed by past knowledge and experience with comparable properties. A credible appraisal report must be meaningful to the client, not misleading and properly understood, Both the development and reporting must comply with USPAP.
Novotny will disclose a lack of knowledge and experience that will prevent him from completing an appraisal assignment competently and credibly. He consults with specialists for specific properties as necessary for credible opinion development.
Novotny has in-depth knowledge of the theory, methods and standards of appraisal practice. Novotny will identify and solve your personal property appraisal problem efficiently, cost effectively and credibly. Novotny welcomes inquiries regarding unusual, complex and challenging general antiques and personal property appraisal problems. Find out more about Novotny's extensive personal property appraisal background and experience.
Types of Personal Property Commonly Encountered and Appraised
European and American Historic and Contemporary Objects such as
- Antiques and Decorative Art Objects,
- Furniture, Fine Art, Folk Art and Collectible Objects,
- Glass, Ceramics, Metals and Lighting Objects
- Textiles, Rugs & Carpets, Quilts, Samplers, Couture, Linens etc.
- Ephemera, Books, Posters and Military, Sporting and Scientific Objects
- Rare Records (33, 45, & 78 RPM), Compact Discs and Musical Objects
Depreciating Residential Contents and Ordinary Household Goods
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Used Furniture, Appliances, General Personal Property, Electronic Objects
Rare and Unusual Objects
Note: Expert consultations are arranged, when necessary, for specialized property types. Learn more about the property types appraised by Novotny and the competency required. Novotny uses highly experienced and knowledgeable experts as needed.
Assignment Types and Intended Uses
All
personal property and antiques appraisal reports, whether written or
oral, must be credible, meaningful, appropriate, complete and relevant
to intended use. Some examples of intended use include:
Litigation Support
Expert Witness Testimony
Deposition and Trial (other states)
Insurance
Moving and Storage Damage/Loss
Equitable Distribution
Dissolution of Marriage
Down-sizing Consultations
Inventory Documentation
Complex and Challenging AssignmentsLearn more about the types of assignments or intended use for an appraisal.
Oral Valuation Reports
In some cases your objects can be valued by an oral appraisal report at a much lower cost than applies to written appraisal reports. Oral appraisal reports must comply with USPAP like all other appraisal reports.
Many objects and household goods can be valued by Novotny
at a rate of 50-100+ items per hour.
Rare and valuable objects discovered may require significant research.
Most common and ordinary household objects fall within Novotny's body of knowledge and experience. Without research confirmation some oral opinions could be subject to error. Clients must accept this risk. Novotny will decline the valuation of objects for which he lacks confidence without research confirmation. Good judgment is a component of appraiser competence. Find our more about a Novotny Oral Onsite Appraisal
Locating the most
experienced and qualified appraiser for your appraisal problem and
property type should be your primary objective. For a large urban area
such as Los Angeles and Orange County, travel time is usually under an
hour or less.
Novotny's home office is now located in San Gabriel. For over twenty years he has served appraisal clients living in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County and Ventura County. He frequently serves the Southern California beach and desert communities and occasionally travels to other surrounding counties in California and out of state for select assignments. Go to the top of this Home Page.
See further details about Novotny's Service Area
When it is appropriate a distant appraisal can be conducted by Novotny based on digital photos and descriptions. There are limiting conditions that apply when a distant appraisal is done without an on-site inspection. Discuss your appraisal problem with Novotny to determine whether or not an online oral or written report could solve your valuation problem. Solve your valuation problem NOW! CONTACT NOVOTNY
Find out more about Novotny's qualifications and background.
The #1 Reason a Client should Trust an Appraiser: USPAP!
In 1987 the Appraisal Foundation (TAF) was authorized by Congress to be the source of minimum appraisal standards (USPAP) and appraiser qualifications. Since then each state is required to implement these minimum standards and qualifications whenever an appraiser is licensed.
The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is recognized and embraced by Congress, regulators, government agencies, the IRS, the courts and the insurance and banking industry. USPAP establishes the minimum standards for all appraisers.
Compliance with USPAP is necessary to establish a basis for trust between the appraiser and the client. There must be a basis for credibility so that the client can have a reason to place their trust in the appraiser. Appraisers should always comply with USPAP.
See a humorous U-Tube introduction to the appraisal process as related to preserving public trust in the appraiser called the "USPAP Blues"
Novotny is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor
The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) USPAP Instructor Certification Program was implemented in February 2002 to certify USPAP Instructors to teach the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Since January 1, 2003, only AQB Certified USPAP Instructors have been permitted to teach the National USPAP Courses (15-hour and 7-hour courses) that are required of appraisers. In 2003 Novotny became the first personal property appraiser to be certified as a National AQB USPAP Instructor. In October 2011 Novotny was recertified by the AQB through April 2015. Return to the top of this home page.
Novotny has presented personal property oriented USPAP classes (15 Hour and 7 Hour Updates) since 2003 in various locations including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Dallas, Baltimore, Lincoln and Chicago.
Appraisal Courses
On January 28th and the 30th of 2012 Novotny taught the 2012-2013 Personal Property 15 Hour National USPAP class in Long Beach CA for the College For Appraisers (CFA) Novotny is currently preparing a far East Asian arts introductory course expected to be offered by the CFA in 2012. Contact CFA at 714-952-2727 for further information about upcoming courses taught by Novotny and other course regularly presented as part of the standard curriculum at the College for Appraisers .
On October 14, 2011 Novotny taught a unique three day introductory appraisal course covering appraisal theory, methods and report writing. This CFA course was fully integrated with USPAP. Novotny regards this course as the most successful course he has ever taught.
Throughout the course Novotny engaged students in role playing. Students were challenged to identify various hypothetical appraisal problems using mock intake telephone conversations with hypothetical clients (played by Novotny). By the end of the three day course students developed confidence in being able to talk with prospective clients in a focused, informed and competent manner.
Students developed experience and confidence in identifying the appraisal problem which is, by far, the most important task in every appraisal. The problem must be identified before it can be solved. There were many laughs and lively discussions during this 3-day course.
On August 3rd and 4th of 2011 Novotny taught a personal property 15 Hour National USPAP Course in Lincoln Nebraska at the request of the Professional Association of Appraisers, Quilted Textiles (forty appraisers attended). See the comments of the President of PAAQT and of other attending quilt appraisers. This course was offered through Appraisal Course Associates (ACA), a partnership between Novotny and David Maloney.
Find out more about online USPAP courses, onsite USPAP courses and other appraisal courses taught by Bill Novotny. Novotny is currently writing a new online USPAP Update Course for 2012-2013 to help appraisers remain current and aware of applicable minimum competency and ethical requirements. This course should be published by ACA in 2012.
Beware of Appraiser Negligence and Incompetency
Personal property and antiques appraisers are not licensed or regulated in California, nor in any other state. Any person can represent that they are an appraisal expert and to have the valuation knowledge possessed by appraisers. Many lack training in appraisal theory, methodology and report writing. Many lack the required knowledge and experience that is necessary to develop and report credible valuation assignment results. Many are unfamiliar with USPAP, which is the minimum standards necessary to support appraiser credibility. Check credentials carefully before hiring an appraiser.
Accredited membership in a recognized professional personal property appraisal society will establish that an appraiser has met the professional association's minimum experience, training and educational requirements. Professional societies and associations require their members to comply with USPAP and abide by their ethical and report writing standards. Appraisers without such membership are less likely to understand the appraisal problem and solution and are often ill equipped to provide credible opinions, analyses and conclusions. Novotny has been an accredited member of ANA since 1993 and ISA since 1996.
Ask any appraiser you interview whether or not they have successfully completed the 15-Hour USPAP course, passed the test and will provide you with a signed USPAP appraiser's certification statement. If the answer is no - proceed cautiously!
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Novotny will always comply with USPAP, as well as the ANA and ISA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the ISA Report Writing Standard when acting as an appraiser.
Other Services and Related Websites
Estate Sale Agent Onsite sale of antiques, household goods, residential contents and all types of personal property that require liquidation.
Visit Novotny's Antiques now known as Novotny's Antique Gallery, operated by Shauna Novotny since 2000, and initially opened by Novotny in 1979.
See Novotny's valuation background.
See Novotny's CV
Copyright 2011 - all rights reserved - William M. Novotny