Diane Smith Offers: Award-Winning Services, all for your benefit!

We always use the 14-Points of Connoisseurship when evaluating collections.

Diane Smith: Business Owner since 1991

Contact Diane Smith by filling out the form below:

Our Services to Our Clients

Personal Property Services

  • Estate Sales & Personal Property Appraisals
  • Estate Evaluations
  • Home Liquidation Sales
  • Residential Contents Removal
  • Donations for Tax Purposes
  • Consignments Brokered
  • Appraisals for Equitable Distribution
  • Clean-Out of Home/ Optional Service
  • Set up for Donation Organizations/Optional Service
  • Senior  Move Management & Relocations Assistance
  • Consultations Offered in the Northern NJ areas

Appraisal Services

  • Appraisals for Donation Purposes
  • Appraisals for Income Tax Purposes
  • Appraisals  for Insurance Purposes
  • Appraisals for Equitable Distribution
  •  Appraisals for Fair Market Value, Liquidation Value, Replacement Value, & Salvage Value
  • Appraisals of Jewelry, Artwork, Objects of Art, Silver, Gold, Antiques, Coins, Ephemera, Antiques, China, Furniture, Collectibles, and all other types of objects of value!

Diane Smith was voted a "Neighborhood Fave" in 2023 by the community on NextDoor.

Contact Diane: (973) 714-5587

We specialize in working with Attorneys, Heirs, Homeowners, and Collectors. We Make your life simple and sell your items for you in a variety of fashions. We even offer house cleanouts! We accomplish selling and appraising in any situation: Clients Moving into a New Home (Moving Situations), Divorces, Inheritance and Tax-Related Situations and Equitable Distribution. We are experts at liquidating your estate so you earn the most! All of our clients are very pleased at the end of their estate sale conducted by Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC, that is why we earned an award for 100% positive customer satisfaction from The American Society of Estate Liquidators. We will be more than happy to share and discuss some of the incredible outcomes our clients have had during the sale of their items because of us! We can prove our incredible selling potential and durability with you in-person or over the phone! Call Diane Smith at (973) 714-5587 and ask about our Estate Services!

Diane Smith, AEL is a four-time Award Winner for offering the best business services and having 100% positive customer satisfaction!

Diane's business has been based out of Mendham, NJ since 1991

Diane Smith, AEL. Copyright Diane Smith, 2024. Business Owner since 1991. Credentials: Certificate Earned from Harvard University in the evaluation of "Tangible Things", Certificate Earned from The University of Pennsylvania in "Strategic Business Management", Certificate Earned from the Smithsonian Institution in "Teaching Critical Thinking Through Art, with the National Gallery of Art", Nursing Degree since 1979, Business Owner since 1991, owning Six storefront antique stores, Years of Experience and a Great knowledgable Staff. Our business connections span the entire globe. Accredited Estate Liquidator, AEL, with the American Society of Estate Liquidators and more! Diane earned a certificate for completing a 7-hour course on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Diane is USPAP compliant through October 13, 2025.
Diane is also a member of countless unique research, membership, object grading, and database organizations.

Our Location:

Read all about Diane's accomplishments and more about her business further down this page.

Diane Smith and her son Zachary Smith

Some Reviews

5/5

"Diane and her family and crew were so careful with all my possessions. Her knowledge of rugs, furniture and collectibles was so helpful in pricing things to be sold. She also was mindful of how I was doing during the sale and made sure I rested and ate. Her kindness was evident and she went out of the way for me. Highly recommend her." - Elise C. (5 Star Review)

5/5

"Diane is the consummate professional: She is well organized--doing everything by the book, has decades of experience, is highly knowledgeable and passionate about interiors, as well as responsive and respectful of her clients (on both the sell and buy side)." - Elizabeth C. (5 Star Review)

5/5

"I have attended quite a few Estate Sales run and handled by Diane Smith and her husband, Randy. Diane's Sales are always well run, well attended, well stocked with quality merchandise, and interesting. Diane is always ready, willing, and able to assist you and answer any questions that you might have. Diane is professional, knowledgeable, and more importantly, a good and nice person. In this day and age, that alone says a lot! I always look forward to attending her Sales." - Vincent H. (5 Star Review)

Based in Morris County, New Jersey, we gladly serve those who are in need of our services.

Call Diane Smith at
(973) 714-5587

or email her at

dianesmithinc@yahoo.com

for more information or to schedule an estate sale today!

Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC

Client Logistics & Business Strategy

 

 What is the main objective that we are trying to achieve?

       We aim to give value to our clients’ lives and fulfill their needs by first appraising and then selling their personal property for the highest amount possible by negotiating with the most influential buyers so that our clients make the most amount of money possible. We aim to have a fair contract that is superior, and beneficial to each client. We also aim to cater to the unique case of each client to serve their interests well such as by performing a full house cleanout. We aim to have full appraisal knowledge of all items that we may encounter at our clients’ homes.

 

Who are our clients?

       Anyone wanting to sell personal tangible property or liquidate an estate may be our client. We also offer professional written appraisals for various legal purposes.

 

What is the intended strategy of our business?

       Our strategy is firstly to do more and offer more than other companies. We also desire to make the best connections with the most influential buyers and auction houses, so that our clients make the most amount of money from each sale when our clients allow us to place their items. We also aim to have full current knowledge of all items that we may encounter and what they are worth realistically in today’s market.

 

Where do we want to compete?

       We desire to compete in the estate sale, collectible, art, jewelry, coinage, designer clothing, rug, objects d’virtue, and all other personal property liquidation business. We also desire to compete in the written tangible property appraisal business.

 

What is the scope of our strategy?

       The scope of our strategy is to be more knowledgeable than others in our business sector and to be the most well-serving to our clients who hire Diane Smith and her company.

 

What is our value proposition?

       The value proposition that we offer to our clients is that we are able to do more and offer more than other companies. For example, we will sell each item in our clients’ home, whatever it may be, for the highest amount possible based on the appraisal knowledge of Diane Smith and her staff. We offer various methods of selling our clients’ items whether it be by sending items to auction or by conducting an estate sale in our client’s home. We can also physically clean out a house completely if chosen to do so. We seek to take care of the whole process of estate and personal property liquidation from start to finish for our clients.

 

How is our value proposition different from what other companies offer?

       We respect the personal preferences of each and every one of our clients in every situation. Diane Smith and her staff aim to serve her clients with the best business solutions available in our industry.

 

What are the activities, capabilities, and resources that allow us to make more money for our clients than our competitors?

       After we have come to the knowledge of the value of your personal property through specific appraisal practices, we aim to consolidate the most valuable items in your home and then send them to appropriate auction houses. Then, we aim to invite potential buyers into your home during a “by-appointment-only sale”. After that, we aim to have a two or three day estate sale, with certain items in your home, based on your needs. Finally, if you would like, we are able to clean out your house and setup for the donation of the remaining unsold property if you do not wish to keep it.

 

How do we accomplish our goals from start to finish?

       We work together as a logistically functional company with a focused differentiation aiming to solve current and future problems for our clients.

 

What credentials do we have?

       Diane Smith, AEL, is an Accredited Estate Liquidator with the American Society of Estate Liquidators, is a Certified Personal Property Appraiser, and is the holder of certificates from The Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University, and The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business online, in evaluating art, the evaluation of personal tangible property and strategic business management respectively. Diane Smith, AEL, is a USPAP* Certified Appraiser (*Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice). Diane has been in business since 1991 and has owned six antique stores, all of which were profitable. Diane is an expert appraiser and is one of the foremost experts in her industry. She has vast knowledge on the valuation of all personal property and has also written countless appraisals for her clients. She has conducted numerous estate sales with amazing results as well. She has over 25,000+ customers to date including her main clients and customers coming to buy objects at her estate sales. She has sent her clients items to auction houses like Sotheby’s in New York City, and Rago Arts Auction in Lambertville, NJ. She lives and works with her husband Randall and son Zachary. Diane’s son Zachary holds an Associate’s Degree in Science with a concentration in Public Administration and holds certificates from Harvard and The University of Pennsylvania online.

 

How do I reach Diane?

       You may call or email Diane Smith, AEL. Her email is “ dianesmithinc@yahoo.com ”. Her cellphone number is 973-714-5587.

 

We hope to work with you!

Copyright © Diane Smith, Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC – May 12, 2024

25,000+ Happy Customers to Date!
0

Diane Smith:
Phone: (973) 714-5587
Email: dianesmithinc@yahoo.com

Feel Free to Contact Diane Smith at the above email or phone number to plan your estate sale or discuss the appraisal of your items today!

Here below you will find pertinent information regarding the experience in the Appraising, Consigning, Estate Sale and Tangible Personal Property Liquidation business that Diane Smith has garnered, as well as a personal introduction by Diane Smith herself. 

Please see the “Our Services” Tab for more information about how Diane conducts her sales!

Diane Smith: AEL, ASEL Service Excellence Award Winner
Owner, Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC

Diane Smith's contacts span the entire globe. You can trust her to sell your valuables and liquidate your estate in the best way possible. Diane and her staff have done work for, and have been hired by, law firms, banks, insurance agents, executors, and homeowners across New Jersey. Diane has been in business since 1991. References available.

Mrs. Diane Smith, AEL (Accredited Estate Liquidator) has been acting as an appraiser, evaluator, and researcher in the areas of Fine & Decorative Art, in accordance with the Appraisal Practice since 1991, and is USPAP compliant and certified through 10/13/2025.  Diane successfully completed a 15-hour course and examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the Congressionally recognized set of appraisal standards promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation. Her estate work began in 1991. Diane has owned & operated 6 antique stores and is the partaker in many antique shows.  She has attended innumerable auctions. She was exposed to works not only in retail and antique stores but also in the homes of her clients, by conducting on-site inspections for the purpose of valuing personal property; she has also appraised personal property for equitable distribution for estate purposes.  Mrs. Diane Smith frequently visits museums, libraries and antique shops. Diane became involved in appraising tangible personal property in 1991 in the areas of Decorative and Fine art.  Her methods consist of comprehensive and in-depth vetted research, and she analyzes the market for current trends.Diane Smith utilizes various research methodologies, such as reference books, for example, but not limited to, include:  Art Market Research, by Tom McNulty, Kovels’ books, by Ralph & Terry Kovel,  “Appraising Personal Property”, 3rd Edition by David J. Maloney.  Some of her trusted online resources also include, The Getty Research Institute, International Foundation for Art Research, Prints & Photographs Online Catalog, PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) Coin Grading Website (Member of PCGS), The New York Times, the Newark Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Morris Museum, Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses, ACC Furniture Price Index.

Diane Smith’s PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) Club Membership is frequently utilized by Diane to sell many rare and unique coins for her clients at top price. 

These resources have advanced her proficiency as a connoisseur in appraising personal property.  She uses the 14-points of connoisseurship when evaluating collections, individual objects, or works, and has previously appraised many works and objects for other clients.  Diane will tailor and adjust what she provides according to your needs.

Her past classes & studies, after graduating from college with an Associates degree in Social Science, and a minor in Art & Art History, have been spending countless hours becoming further educated by attending online courses and reading many books in the areas of appraisal education and personal property evaluation. The books Diane reads also pertain to subjects of the different types of art throughout the ages, art styles, and artist signature identification.  Diane also has completed gemstone courses offered by the Gemological Institute of America.  She has attended many lectures at museums, and libraries. Since 1991, Diane Smith has conducted hundreds of estate liquidations and home contents sales for families, law firms, bank trust officers, executors, real estate companies, and estate beneficiaries.  She identifies and values personal property, and offers professional guidance and solutions to liquidating estates, appraising precious collections, and brokering valuable art objects & works,  jewelry,  antiques,  home furnishings, collectibles, ephemera, silver, gold and china, and all other types of tangible personal property.

She offers consultations and orderly planning for an individual client’s needs, be it for downsizing, transitioning a loved one, explaining the process of residential contents removal, or moving to another location.  

Diane Smith appraises the values of tangible personal property for New Jersey tax purposes, itemizes objects or works being donated to charities, for equitable distribution purposes as requested by executors, beneficiaries, and law firms.  She prepares a list with those values after employing a Market Data Comparison Approach to arrive at the appraised Fair Market Values.

Diane Smith has been featured in many newspaper articles, including:  the Star Ledger, Home & Garden section, Styling The Table – How Collectibles Can Enhance a Holiday Meal,  November 23, 2006, The Hills-Bedminster Press,  Buying & Collecting – The Trend of the 90’s, June, 1993, Country Crossroads Newspapers for Chester, Basking Ridge,  Mendham,  Far Hills,  and Bernardsville, NJ – Area Business section,  Diane Smith Quality Consignments & Antiques, Inc.  – A Treasure Trove of Antiques & Collectibles, July 1992, The Nantucket Inquirer & Mirror, Antique Buying on Nantucket Island, August, 1994.

Diane Smith conducted a presentation to the Members of the Northern New Jersey Estate Planning Council at their meeting titled, Trinket or Treasure.  She explained the estate liquidation process, following USPAP guidelines.  She also evaluated objects brought in by members so they would have knowledge of the appraisal value range for each of the objects she inspected, October 2017. She has also been asked to perform her services for a well-known auction house and its clients and is presently affiliated with Rago Arts & Auctions, Lambertville, NJ.

“I am committed to conducting the most profitable and professionally-run Estate Sale for you.  You will profit the most from the sale we conduct for you due to my honesty, integrity, reputable and appointed staff, and outstanding service to you; as well as because of our valued customers who follow my sales.  I am also available to conduct private sales, “by appointment only”, and accept items on a consignment basis. I offer New-Jersey-State-approved appraisals for many valuations (Equitable Distribution;  Fair Market Value, Liquidation & Forced Liquidation); whatever your purposes may be. We will guide you in many different ways offering you the best solutions.   Please go to my contact page and send me your requests, questions, concerns and messages. We are glad to work with you!

I Provide Trustworthy Guidance, Professionalism, Solutions & Extra Ordinary Support. I am a Member of The Estate Planning Council of  Northern New Jersey, along with very prestigious Appraisal Organizations.


We work with many Attorney’s, Realtors, Insurance & Bank Financial Agents, whom you may contact for referrals.  I am also a Member of the Antiques & Collectibles National Association; and I assist Senior Citizens with Liquidation; Staging; Moving; Planning; and Transitioning to smaller quarters; or an Assisted Living/Independent Living facility.

Thank you for considering our Services!

 

 Memberships

  • Diane Smith, AEL (Accredited Estate Liquidator)
  • The American Society of Estate Liquidators (Listed on their site) 
  • Northern NJ Estate Planning Council
  • Antiques & Collectibles National Association 
  • USPAP Compliant through 10/13/2025: Sucessfully Completed a 15-Hour course and examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the Congressionally-recognized set of appraisal standards promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation. Diane Smith completed the full course with examination, with biannual updates. Currently effective through 10/13/2025.
  • Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) Club Member
  • And, various other membership-based organizations including research organizations and sales platforms.

I specialize in assisting  Senior Citizens with downsizing and relocating to smaller quarters.  I  also have a nursing degree since 1979; caring for the senior citizen population, having been employed by hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities, appointed Shift Charge Nurse, and as a Utilization Review Nurse Manager for QualCare Insurance Company of America.

You can choose to donate your property as well. You will receive a tax donation slip for all personal property donated.
As a Certified Appraiser, I will fill out the values of the items donated for your tax purposes.
Private Appraisal Services are available. We are also expert brokers and will place your essential and valuable personal property for private placement.  

Our customers come first, and the quality of our service surpasses everyone in the industry.

We always go one step further to render excellent services to our clients.

Please ask for photos of our work including setup before estate sales and photos of clean-outs. 

Thanks for letting us serve you and fulfill all of your needs.  We continually exceed our Clients’ expectations!”

– Diane Smith, AEL, ASEL Award Winner

More Information about Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC:

Diane and her staff have over 65 years combined experience selling all home contents, collectibles, rare art, jewelry, and antiques. Diane and her staff promise to conduct ethically fit, well-coordinated, and top-quality estate sales for you. We also consign items and offer you to consign your valuables with us. Finally, we offer by-appointment-only sales whether you are still living in your house, are moving, or just want to sell a few items. We can consign and sell anything, whether it be 1800’s gold coins, a French Provincial desk, a mid-century modern lamp, Cartier diamond earrings, rugs, paintings, lithographs, or anything in between! Diane and her staff help all of her clients and can help you too! We identify, price, consign, and sell all valuables from the homes of our clients based on realistic appraisal values in today’s marketplace.

Above all, Diane and her entire staff are kind, trustworthy, and respectful. We promise to be always kind, considerate, and professional when conducting business and holding your estate sale, for all of our customers and clients. Guaranteed. 

We are based in Mendham, NJ but have traveled as far as Pennsylvania and Connecticut to work, appraise, and conduct sales. We are hired by many people in the Tri-State Area to write appraisals and conduct sales. You may want to call Diane to discuss selling your items, Diane’s team conducting an estate sale for you, cleaning out your home, or having items appraised. In all of those areas, Diane is an expert and can help you! Diane deals with clients moving out of their home and into a new home very often. We frequently conduct estate sales near the date of the realty “closing”, during the sale of a home, or sooner if you prefer. Diane is an expert at removing all items from homes prior to their sale and their realty “closing”. Please give Diane notice of a deadline for all items to be sold and removed from a home if you plan on moving out of your residence.

Before & After

Before our Setup, Cleanout, and Estate Sale:(Example house in Chester, NJ)

Before

During the sale: (Example House in Chester, NJ)
A Preview of a Setup Table During the Estate Sale (below)

After our Cleanout and Sale (Example House in Chester, NJ)

After

"EXPERIENCED. PROFITABLE. RELIABLE."


DIANE SMITH, AEL
Degrees, Memberships, and Certifications:

Diane Smith, AEL, is a fully Accredited Estate Liquidator (AEL) earning her degree from The American Society of Estate Liquidators.

Diane has earned very prestigious certificates, including: a certificate from Harvard University in the evaluation of "Tangible Things" and a certificate from The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business in "Strategic Business Management". Diane has also earned a certificate from The Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art in "Critical Thinking Through Art".

Diane's Memberships also include:

The Northern New Jersey Estate Planning Council,

The Antiques & Collectibles National Association

The Professional Coin Grading Service - Club Member

Plus various other membership-based organizations including research organizations and sales platforms.

Diane is:
  • USPAP Compliant through 10/13/2025: Diane Smith successfully Completed a 15-Hour course and examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the Congressionally-recognized set of appraisal standards promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation. Diane Smith completed the full course with examination, with biannual updates. Currently effective through 10/13/2025.

Diane and "Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC" are ALWAYS FULLY INSURED in the State of New Jersey and beyond. Diane Smith is also fully certified and licensed to conduct business which includes consigning items, conducting estate sales, cleaning out homes, and writing appraisal reports.


Diane Smith ESTATE SALES & Appraisals, LLC


All About Diane Smith, AEL:


• Diane Smith is A HUGE ICON In the ANTIQUES & ESTATE SALE INDUSTRY!


• Diane Smith has been featured in MANY NEWSPAPERS including THE NEW YORK TIMES!


• Diane Smith is A Knowledgable, Well-Educated Person who has Experience in Many Fields, with many DEGREES

• Diane and Diane's son ZACHARY have earned related Art and Business educational certificates from Harvard and The University of Pennsylvania. Zachary works with his mom in her business and REALLY enjoys what he does!

• DIANE is a Multiple-Time AWARD WINNER for her Amazing business services

• Diane is a PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) CLUB LEVEL MEMBER for all of your coin sale needs.

• Diane Smith Has over 33 Years of Dedicated Experience in the Antiques, Collectibles, Art, Appraising, Consigning, and Estate Sale Business and Industry


• Diane Smith is Qualifed in Many Areas and Has Certifications as an Accredited Estate Liquidator (AEL) and as a Certified Member with the American Society of Estate Liquidators.


• Diane Smith Has a TREMENDOUS Portfolio of Work in the Industry


• Diane Smith is CONNECTED WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO SELL YOUR ITEMS FAST for the RIGHT PRICE


• Diane Smith is a CERTIFIED APPRAISER Who Writes Legal-Quality, DESCRIPTIVE APPRAISALS AND CAN APPRAISE YOUR ITEMS *CORRECTLY and ACCURATELY*

• DIANE WRITES MANY OF HER APPRAISALS FOR EQUITABLE and/or Charitable DISTRIBUTION for Estates and Law Firms!

• Diane Smith has a Husband, Randall, and Son, Zachary, who have worked under the guidance of Diane for many years and also have countless hours of experience supporting her and routing her on in her work.


• DIANE TAKES CONTROL OF ANY SITUATION AND TURNS IT FOR THE BETTER... That is ***TO MAKE YOU A PROFIT***


- She works with other knowledgable professionals who are EXPERTS IN SPECIFIC AREAS TO INCREASE HER OWN KNOWLEDGE AND SELL YOUR ITEMS FOR THE RIGHT PRICE TO GAIN MONEY FOR YOU!


- DIANE IS BACKED BY and Has worked with COUNTLESS JURIS DOCTORS WITH ACTUAL LAW DEGREES... THAT IS SHE HAS LAWYERS ON HER SIDE THAT WORK TO KEEP THE SALE OF YOUR ITEMS SAFE, LEGAL, and 100% WORRY-FREE


- DIANE FORMS ACTUAL CONTRACTS with HER CLIENTS...SHE DOESN'T JUST SAY SHE WILL DO SOMETHING, SHE HAS HER PROMISES WRITTEN IN INK! SHE FORMS CONTRACTS with YOU!


- DIANE'S CONTRACTS ARE BENEFICIAL TO YOU AND HER........NOT JUST HER!


- DIANE'S DOLLAR RATES AND FEES ARE BEYOND REASONABLE FOR THE HIGHEST-LEVEL STANDARD OF SERVICE HER CLIENTS RECEIVE!


- Diane's COMPANY is TOTALLY INSURED and SO IS SHE! ... So She can complete her work worry-free and you can have her RUN A SALE FOR YOU WITHOUT WORRY!


Diane Smith is KNOWLEDGABLE, Experienced, and RELIABLE To the Satisfaction of Her Clients and BEYOND.


She Conducts Safe and Profitable Sales Managed and Conducted by Experienced, Knowledgable and Well-Informed Staff.


DIANE SMITH and Her Company are ICONS worthy of representing the HIGHEST standards of the ENTIRE estate sale industry.


Diane is WELL-READ and EDUCATED, especially in the area of ANTIQUES and BUSINESS!


Diane has read many books regarding the field of antiques, business, buying, selling, and appraising.


DIANE IS THE FOREMOST EXPERT in her field and is the "GO-TO" PERSON in all of New Jersey and also all of The United States for all of your Estate Sale, Tangible Personal Property Liquidation, and Appraisal Needs!


ABOVE ALL, EACH AND EVERY ONE of Diane Smith's Clients are 100% SATISFIED! ALL OF HER PAST CLIENTS ARE 100% SATISFIED!*


*Diane Smith received a 100% Customer Satisfaction Certificate from The American Society of Estate Liquidators, which is an award that is VERY RARE and ONLY given to business owners who MEET and EXCEED ALL Client Expectations of EVERY CLIENT!

"Services Include: Estate Planning Services, Personal Property Appraisals, Consignments, House Cleanouts (Cleaning Services After Sales), Professionally written Appraisals for your intended purpose(s). I have a high volume of followers who attend the sales I conduct. My clients have been thrilled. Please read my Google reviews written by recent clients I have served. I am an expert at selling tangible personal property for the highest return on your investment! I always go an extra step for those who I assist professionally."


Notes: We Recognize the value of all objects and our 65 years of combined experience selling antiques leads to high-profit sales for you! Our discerning eyes can spot valuable items in your home and price them accordingly at your sale. Diane Smith, AEL can easily appraise any object in your home. Her time and effort put into each appraisal provides you with an accurate and well-thought-out description of your item plus a valuation of your piece(s) with many comparables, depending on which type of appraisal you choose to hire Diane to write.


Diane will discuss all details with you regarding how her sale will be run and how the process unfolds over the phone or in-person with you. She will be happy to discuss the option of conducting a sale at your home with you. Her branching team of many people and experts spans all of The United States. She works with experts everywhere to accomplish her goals. Diane manages all of her Estate Sales while conducting a team of many people. Diane works very hard for her clients (You), and her customers (those whom come into your home to buy your items at an Estate Sale or by Special Appointment setup by Diane).


Diane Smith was once told by a trusted Tax Professional that “[She] could sell anything, including the Brooklyn Bridge!”. She always surprises her clientele with the high level of support she offers when dealing with hard-to-deal-with issues such as during Moves, Divorces, Losses in the family, or just the issue of not knowing how to declutter and start fresh in your life. Have Diane earn you money by selling your items for you! She has connections in the industry that are 35 years old. Diane knows many people who are willing to buy your items at the right price!


All items are heavily researched and all prices are accurate, so you get the most out of your Estate Sale experience, which is always enjoyable when you hire Diane. Diane has owned six stores in her lifetime and has sold just about all types of collectibles, antiques, rarities, furniture, clothing, Persian rugs, Gold and Diamond Jewelry, and general home decor. She now uses her 33+ years of experience to bring a GREAT Estate Sale experience to both you and her customers. You will be well-pleased if you hire her today! Our Brokerage Team Excels in gaining the highest return for your valuable Items & special collections. Please ask our previous clients about their brokered works of art, which were sold using our services, and about their important personal property items sold by us on their behalf!


“I Offer Guided & Profitable Solutions to Liquidating your Home & Appraising your Personal Property & Precious Collections. I am a Specialist in Moving, Downsizing, Transitioning: Our Services Include: Senior Moving, Downsizing, and Transitioning – I have 20 Years experience as an Assisted Living Nurse/Supervisor, and I have been conducting Profitable Estate and Liquidation Sales and I have been a business owner since 1991.” – Diane Smith, AEL, Owner.

We Provide Tables & Table Cloths & Other Displays. We Professionally Display Your Personal Property for High Appeal resulting in a high return. We Provide for Estate Sale Clean Outs, and Donation Arrangements – which are options for you to consider. We Appraise Antiques & Personal Property! You may choose to consign some of your items with us! We will Sell your Items for you!


We Offer Consulting and Provide Estate Liquidation and Appraisal Solutions in an Organized Manner in all types of circumstances such as during moves, divorces, or losses in your family. We Offer Guided Senior Move Management & Relocation Assistance We Assist in Packing and Downsizing! We are Fully Insured & Registered with the State of NJ. We can handle any job: small jobs to large jobs, “We’ve got you covered!”!

Diane Smith and her appraisal staff always use the 14-Points of Connoisseurship when evaluating collections. They include: "Overall Appearance", "Form", "Ornament", "Materials", "Finish", "Color", "Craft Techniques", "Trade Practices", "Function", "Style", "Attribution", "History of Ownership", "Condition", and "Evaluation", plus a final Conclusion.


Diane can do it all; and she can do it all for you, too.

"Estate Liquidation & Estate Sale companies come across a treasure-trove of objects: art, jewelry, antiques, coins, cars, books, silver, gold & Ephemera that can be precious, rare, or unusual. An individual does not know what they will find. The reason for folks to use an estate sale or liquidation company is first, to get the most of the expenditure back because items are more accurately priced. A professional estate liquidator should bring you top dollar. Price and valuing items in today’s market is one of the most difficult tasks for an uneducated person to master. A skilled and educated estate liquidator, with certifications has a deep knowledge of how to price home contents fairly. An experienced liquidator, with many years of know-how in the resale market can accomplish this quickly for most usual items, but must complete extensive research on more valuable items such as antiques and artwork by using comparables which have recently sold, and the condition report of each comparable used. Most reputable companies are insured& bonded. Pros will also offer co-ordination to dispose of unwanted items remaining after your sale to charities for tax-deductible purposes and disposing of the rest of the household contents. Some companies such as my company offer a clean-out services as well. What is it? What is it worth? The expert will take the guessing out. A seasoned, reputable professional liquidator will do extensive research on valuable items and present those values to the homeowner/estate executor, law firm, etc. They can then make an informed decision on and an agreed asking price. This would be after the liquidator’s research and a comparative analysis is made. I believe it is vital to involve the customer in the pricing of important items. I offer them to place a reasonable “reserve price” on those items, or I may broker them out for my client which results in more of a “fair market value” as opposed to a “liquidation value”. All offers on reserved priced items in the sale, I present to my client, and they decide whether to take or decline an offer. Building trust between the client and my company is foremost. In addition, any reputable company will build trust with their buyers. Most companies are on the up & up and would never dream to defraud anyone, however, there are unfortunately plenty of tales proving otherwise. There is a percentage of liquidation companies that are less than trustworthy. One example would promise many outcomes, including what the contents will bring monetarily from a sale, and false promises about what individual items will bring. Another example is when a company advertises contents that will be for sale, in their advertisements, and the unsuspecting customer arrives (first in line), looking for specific items and they are told the item or they have already sold the items. These bait -and–switch events attempt to lure crowds to their sale and have offered goods that don’t exist in that sale. And at times phony & bogus items are being sold for the real deal, for example, an unauthenticated Louis Vuitton purse. I believe one day there will be a regulatory agency monitoring estate sale companies & estate liquidation companies, besides just the Better Business Bureau. Many start-up estate liquidation companies in the industry have little knowledge or experience in this business sector and do not have credentials or certifications from top-notch organizations. Most charge less of a fee to gain the sale, but this will not bring a desired outcome in most cases. Being a member of these organizations require adherence to the high standards they set for their members. For example, being an Accredited Estate Liquidator with the American Society of Estate Liquidators (www.aselonline.com), illustrates the standard practices and regulatory rules in which a member must follow. I am an Accredited Estate Liquidator, with The American Society of Estate Liquidators, and show to prospective clients my ability to deliver professional service at high standards. If a company advertises they are USPAP compliant, then the perspective client should ask to see the USPAP certificate, and when it expires. Anyone can say they are USPAP compliant. USPAP certification and updates for this certification are critical and define critical Standards to uphold as a professional liquidator or appraiser. I update my USPAP certification every 2 years and am current, with the Appraiser’s Association of America. Following the compliancy guidelines requires adhering to the Standards & Rules of the Uniform Standards of the Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). These rules and standards are reviewed and updated by The Appraisal Standards Board and approved by The Appraiser Qualifications Board. Thank you for reading my informative blog post this month! I will be consistently informing readers regarding estate liquidations and the process: “What should I do first?” “How do I liquidate this estate?” What are the guidelines to make it simple for me to follow?”" - Diane P. Smith, AEL

Current News: Art & Housing Market Trends - Spring 2024

Mortgage Rates are falling and expected to fall by a total 6.3% by the end of year 2024 from the previous year 2023, while housing values are skyrocketing…so what’s next? There are wars, protests, and global unrest…but the art and collectible market is doing phenomenal, especially in the areas of ultra-contemporary and mid-century-modern art, collectibles, and furniture. Even though some art values are down by 37-38% from 2023, other art appraisal values in certain areas are going up. Renaissance and Victorian pieces are down in value by about 40% from 2022 and Meissen porcelain pieces are down in value about 50% from 2020. However, 21st century art by artists like Daniel Turner and Dan McCarthy have skyrocketed. The mid-to-late 20th century art areas, as well as post-war contemporary art values have also gone up over the last 10 years. And collectors from everywhere are flocking to buy signed art by artists like Alexander Calder (1898-1976), resulting in six-figure sales prices for some of his 1970’s pieces made with gauche and paper. Modern-style carvings, glass objects, and bronzes have gone up by about 25% since 2019, making headlines for artists like glassmakers Oben Abright, Michael Glancy, and Bertil Vallien. Today, overall, collectors seem to either want pristine-condition pieces, such as antique flags and pristine Chinese porcelain from the year 1800 and prior; or, on the other hand, collectors today want good-condition vintage pieces, such as rare vinyl records and mid-century-modern furniture from the years 1950-1985. However condition seems to matter less with newer pieces compared to true 1700’s antiques. The values of pieces like art-deco-style 1970’s metal furniture and newer gold U.S. coins seems to be going up and up, with a 20% increase since 2019. Overall, art and collectible values have gone up by 2200% since the year 2000, even when you factor in inflation. Some people today are selling their homes because their homes are now worth about 10% more since 2023 and still others are waiting for a further increase before selling, or would rather stay in their homes until the mortgage rates go down. There are different reasons why homeowners may want to sell their home and move, but one thing is certain: now is the time to sell collectibles and art. There is no telling what the art market will do tomorrow, but before the collectible areas like clothing, wooden 19th century furniture, and rugs decline further, why not sell now? There will always be something better, more unique, and different for you to collect in the future! – Zachary Smith, © May 13, 2024, All Rights Reserved.

Copyright May 14, 2024 © Diane Smith and Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Website Updated: 05.14.2024