Appraisal Services
Fine Art Appraisals
Foltz Fine Art offers extensive appraisal valuation services on fine art personal property for the following purposes: insurance, divorce settlement, probate, insurance damage claims, capital gains, charitable contribution, resale/inventory, estate, equitable distribution, expert witness testimony, or collateral. We specialize in 19th and 20th century European, Latin American, and American fine art and photography, with emphasis on the arts of the Southwestern United States and Texas. We serve clients all over the United States, primarily in Texas, South and Southwest, and our appraisals are accepted by major insurance companies, banks, Internal Revenue, trust companies, attorneys, probate, non-profit organizations, and shipping companies. All appraisals are confidential and prepared in strict adherence to ethical standards set forth by the Appraisers Association of America (AAA). They are also compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Our typical hourly rate is $175 an hour with an hour minimum for time spent on site, research time and preparation of a written appraisal report for the express functions of determining the desired value. This rate is standard and competitive with the appraisal fees in our region, based on our experience and qualifications. Appraisal inspections can be arranged to be made on-site or by appointment here at Foltz Fine Art.
To set an appraisal appointment, contact: sarah@foltzgallery.com
About our Appraiser
In 2013, William Reaves Fine Art (now Foltz Fine Art) recruited Sarah Foltz, as their new director. Sarah Foltz is a seasoned fine art appraiser and Member of the Appraisers Association of America, which she has been affiliated with since 2008. Sarah completed her Masters in Art History from Southern Methodist University in Dallas where she focused her thesis research on contemporary Texas regional and Latin American art within the Texas post-war art scene. Prior to this, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a gallery director and fine art appraiser in Austin and Dallas. Past internships and work experiences include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Austin Museum of Art and several prominent galleries in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Her areas of specialization are photography and 19th and 20th century European, Latin American, and American fine art, with emphasis on the arts of the Southwestern United States and Texas. Additionally, her background includes New York University’s Fine and Decorative Art Appraisal Studies program and the Provenance Research Training Program in Zagreb, Croatia, which focused on restitution of Nazi-era looted cultural property.
With Sarah’s expertise in this field, our appraisals are certified to conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), meet IRS qualifications and requirements, and function as written legal documents. Her past clientele include numerous private individuals, estates, designers, banks, law firms, trusts, insurance companies, the University of Texas, Texas Exes Alumni Association, City of Austin, the Estate of Otis Dozier, and Hyatt Hotels International.
FAQS:
WHAT IS A FINE ART APPRAISAL?
A fine art appraisal is a comprehensive report that extensively documents your work of art and provides an opinion of value at a given point in time based upon the intended use. Foltz Fine Art appraisers follow professional standards designed to promote an accurate, objective opinion of value by way of thorough research of an artist’s market. All appraisals are confidential and information is kept in the strictest confidence. We appraise personal property that fall under the category of fine art, such as paintings, sculpture, works on paper or photographs, for private individuals, estates and corporations.
WHAT IS AN APPRAISER/THE APPRAISERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (AAA)?
An appraiser is a professional with the expertise and credentials needed to evaluate property. While there is no license for personal property appraisers (as with real estate), appraisers should have taken the Uniform Standards in Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course within the past 24 months. USPAP is the guidelines set for appraisers by The Appraisal Foundation.
The Appraisers Association of America is an international organization based in New York City with members in cities across the country as well as in Canada, Europe and Asia. In a field with no degree and no license, membership in the Appraisers Association of America is one of the most important credentials to look for in a personal property appraiser. Our members are known for the highest standards of ethics, conduct and professionalism. The gallery appraiser is a Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA).
HOW DOES FFA DETERMINE APPRAISAL FEES?
Our appraisal fees are competitive with industry standards and based on a flat hourly rate, not including travel expenses. Estimates consider the scope of work, time to examine the property, market research and preparation of the bound appraisal report. Our fees are in no way related to the value of the property being appraised nor based upon a percentage of the appraised item’s value
WHAT TYPES OF APPRAISALS DOES WRFA PROVIDE?
Insurance Coverage
Charitable Donations
Estate Planning
Equitable Distribution
Probate/Estate Tax
Capital gains
Damage/Loss Claims
Expert Witness Testimony
Consultation for Sale/Inventory
Collateral
Liquidation
DOES THE PURPOSE OF THE APPRAISAL CHANGE THE TYPE OF VALUE DETERMINED?
Yes, dependent upon the purpose of the appraisal, it may be necessary to distinguish between determining replacement, fair market, marketable cash or salvage value. FFA is happy to discuss and determine the most appropriate value for your appraisal needs.
WHO ACCEPTS OUR APPRAISALS?
Our appraisals are accepted by major insurance companies, banks, Internal Revenue Service, trust companies, attorneys, probate, and freight and shipping companies. Each appraisal is prepared in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD APPRAISALS BE UPDATED?
Art appraisals are an important aspect of owning and protecting your art. As market conditions can affect the value of art, it is recommended to have an appraisal completed or updated every three to five years in order to keep your insurance and personal records current.