If you have ever been interested in buying antiques, but are afraid of making an expensive mistake, then you simply need a little advice to help you gain your confidence. Buying antiques is a great way to spend the weekend, pick up something interesting to furnish your home, and even help you make a profit, if you decide to sell your antiques in the future. If you haven’t ever bought antiques or have made an expensive mistake in the past, then these tips will help guide you so that you make smart decisions when shopping for antiques and make purchases that you’re proud of.
Ask About Restoration
One thing that you will want to make sure that you do is ask the dealer if the antique has been restored in any way. This can greatly affect the resale value of the piece and may actually lower the price. If the antique has been restored, then this may be obvious, such as it being painted or stained, or less obvious, if the piece has had parts replaced. When you ask, you will be able to better determine the condition of the piece, as well as what damage has occurred to it in the past.
Consider the Condition
No matter if you are shopping in a store or buying online antiques in Sydney, you have to make sure to take into consideration the condition of the piece. Some antiques have been very well cared for and won’t need any work or restoration to look their best, while others will need extensive work. If you are not willing or able to DIY restoration work yourself, then you need to make sure that you understand what needs to be done so that you can get a quote on the work. It can be surprisingly expensive to repair or refinish antiques, so factor the cost into how much you are willing to spend.
Do Your Research
No matter what type of antique you want to buy, it’s a good idea to do research before spending any money. While you can hope that you are working with a reputable antique dealer, it’s important to make sure that they are honest with you about the value and condition of the antique that you want to buy. Educating yourself before you spend any money is preferable to finding out after you go shopping that you invested in a piece that isn’t very high quality.
Furnishing your home with antiques is a great way to enjoy a collected appearance and to really let your personality and interests show through in your home and your decorations. No matter how many times you have bought antiques in the past, you will want to make sure that you work with a reputable dealer and aren’t afraid to ask questions about the piece that you want to buy. By getting as much information as you can before you spend money and by making sure that you are educated about the value of the piece you want to buy, you can make sure that you make smart investments when buying antiques.