ART ADVISORY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are your advisory fees, and how are they structured?

Our advisory rate is $100 per hour for all meetings—whether conducted by phone, virtually, or in person. For in-person meetings, applicable travel and expenses are added.

Are you completely independent, or do you receive commissions from specific galleries?

We are completely independent—if you buy work by an artist we suggest, we don't receive a single cent from galleries or sellers.

What are the hidden fees associated with purchasing art through traditional channels?

It depends on how and where you buy, but excessively inflated removing, handling, crating, shipping, processing, storing, and insurance fees are common.

How do you determine the best market for a specific piece of art?

The best market to sell a specific artwork is where the best combination of high demand and low selling taxes is found.

What is the difference between selling to a private collector versus an art fund?

Private collectors are motivated by what they like, so there is an emotional component to their decision—for this reason, a private collector will generally be willing to pay more. art funds are motivated strictly by the prospect of making a profit.

How do I gain access to corporate collections or institutional buyers?

For museums, become a patron, donate, attend the exhibitions they organize, and get to know those who run them. For corporate collections, there is no easy pathway for an outsider; if you want to put a lot of effort into it, try to befriend the curator or join their country club.

What is the most effective selling method?

It depends on your definition of "most effective." Do you mean selling in the shortest amount of time, at the highest price before expenses, fees, and taxes, at the highest price net of expenses, fees, and taxes, investing the least amount of your time and personal expenses, or having the most control over how much it will sell for?

How do you calculate the highest achievable price for my artwork?

It is the reverse of a defensive valuation. We look at the highest prices ever achieved, positive news, increased visibility and profile, recent inspiring events, and an expanding economy—banking on no new international crises until it is sold.

What fluctuating market factors dictate the absolute best time to sell?

There are many. It is a good time to sell if a work by the same artist recently sold for a record price, an exhibition is coming up or recently occurred, no similar artwork has come up for sale in a while, a big book or movie about the artist was recently released, the economy is expanding with low interest rates, no elections or future uncertainty are looming, no major holidays are on the horizon, or if it is winter and cold outside.

How long does the professional art liquidation process typically take?

For art of some consequence, expect about a year from the very beginning until you see the credit in your bank statement. While it can happen in 6 to 9 months, thinking in terms of a year produces much better results than trying to sell at the wrong time, place, or way. Lower-value art sells faster.

Do you handle the entire sales process and communication with buyers for me?

Yes. When you engage us to sell an artwork or a collection, we handle the entire process seamlessly in the background while you go about your life.

Can your algorithm predict the value of emerging artists, or only established ones?

Only established ones. We have been working on a predictive model for emerging artists, which is currently in alpha testing.

How do neural networks predict art values?

Neural networks recognize patterns and calculate statistics. When you merge them, the result is a forecast.

What market sentiment indicators do you track?

Institutional validation, primary market, secondary market, literature, patronage, and discounted social and cultural relevance.

Can you help me authenticate an artwork I already own?

Yes, we do it constantly.

How long does a typical provenance research and forensic study take?

About 30 days.

Who pays for scientific and forensic testing?

The owner of the artwork. Sometimes a buyer also wants to run their own tests before completing an acquisition if there is a doubt or question.

What happens if a forensic test or scientific study reveals a piece is not authentic?

It can no longer be considered for acquisition, or if it is in an estate or collection, it comes off the portfolio of saleable artworks.

How do you verify if an artwork has a hidden lien or is claimed as national patrimony?

Through proprietary research.

What happens if a piece is flagged as national patrimony?

It is immediately removed from the list of pieces we recommend acquiring.

How do you determine a prudent, conservative appraisal before a purchase?

For a prudent valuation—such as for a client looking to buy—we use a model that provides downside protection to create a baseline market valuation. This is done by performing a defensive, liquidity-adjusted valuation inside a risk-adjusted framework.

Will you negotiate directly with the seller on my behalf, or do you coach me through it?

It is your choice—whichever is more convenient for you.

Can I transition from a collector to an investor?

Yes, if you don’t mind that some of your art may not be hanging in your primary residence.

What exactly is an art storage free zone?

It is a secure warehouse where art is temporarily stored until it is shipped to its final destination.

How do art storage free zones cut taxes, and where are they located?

In a free zone, the art has an in-transit status, so nobody taxes it and you own it tax-free. Free zones exist globally, from Singapore to Qatar, the US, and Switzerland.

What is an example of an asymmetric acquisition technique?

Investigating which art sellers are in the worst financial situation.

How does a trader "prove” the added value of underpriced art quickly?

To reach the attribution level, provenance, archival, biographical, historical, or forensic research is often enough. To reach the authenticated level, doubt must be eliminated by introducing a convincing element with greater evidentiary weight.

How do I properly inventory a large art collection?

Number all the pieces with a tag big enough to be visible in a photograph. Use a computer spreadsheet to list all pieces with the artist, type of artwork (painting, watercolor, drawing, print, sculpture), and dimensions. Set up a camera on a tripod in front of a well-lit table set against a wall, and photograph each piece.

What specific details need to be included in an art inventory?

Artist, type of artwork, and dimensions.

Do you provide on-site assistance to catalog inherited collections?

Yes, we have cataloged collections comprising up to 7,000 pieces.

What documents count as valid proof of authenticity?

Photos of the artwork in a historical context, identifiable historical references to the artwork, and documented uninterrupted provenance.

How do I get a certificate of authenticity if the original is missing?

Call us at 1-212-658-0466 or email us at info@artexpertswebsite.com.

How can an inherited work have title issues or hidden liens?

Imagine an artwork was stolen in 1950, sold through three different countries, bought by your family member in 1975, and now inherited by you. Or imagine that in 1980 the owner used the artwork as collateral for a loan and disappeared without repaying it—years later your family member bought it, and now you inherited it.

What is the difference between Fair Market Value and Replacement Value?

Fair Market Value is what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller. Replacement Value is how much you would have to pay to buy a similar painting by the same artist to replace one that was destroyed. Replacement Value is nearly always higher than Fair Market Value.

What value type do I use for estate taxes versus insurance policies?

This is a question for your accountant.

How often should an inherited art collection be reappraised?

Currently, values should be updated no less than every two years due to general economic volatility.

How do I know if restoration costs will exceed the value added?

It depends on the value of the painting, the extent of the damage, and the cost of restoration. All three factors must be evaluated together to decide how to proceed.

Should I keep inherited art at home or in a professional facility?

If you like the art, keep enjoying it on your walls. If you don’t, make plans on how and where to sell it before moving it anywhere.

Do you charge flat fees or percentages for managing an inherited collection?

A flat fee based on a work time estimate.

Can you help me sell parts of the collection if I choose not to keep it?

Definitely.

The information on this page is subject to our Advisory Disclaimer.