The Truth About Estate and Personal Property Appraisals

Antiques appraiser Bernie McManus of Bernie McManus Appraisals in Woodbury, CT, the “Antiques Capital of Connecticut”, will host a seminar in Southbury, CT, on Tuesday, June 7. 

“The Truth” About Estate & Personal Property Appraisals: Learn What Most Appraisers Won’t Tell People, will provide insights to lawyers, bankers, realtors and CPAs into understanding the “real” value of personal property Items, home contents, etc. “This seminar,” explained McManus, “is to teach area professionals about the true worth of people’s personal properties inside their homes. The real valuation of what is often designated as an estate of personal property.”

Bernie McManus is the former owner of the Woodbury House Antiques in Woodbury, CT. He has been a professional appraiser of antiques, fine arts, collections, home furnishings and old and rare books for more then 40 years. Mr. McManus provides proper identification and valuation of items for families, executors, attorneys, museums, institutions, bankers, insurance companies, CPAs and other professionals. His career has taken him across the United States to conduct appraisals for clients and estates throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Florida, Michigan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“All appraisals I conduct,” stated McManus, “are compiled in compliance with the Uniform Standard Principles of Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for insurance, estate, charitable donations, damages and loss, pre-moving, equitable distribution for divorce, bankruptcy and other life situations.” Mr. McManus has completed courses of study in appraisal principles, methodology and ethics with the International Society of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America and the American Society of Appraisers. He has taken courses with the Museum of Fine Arts, Winterthur Museum, Historic Deerfield, New York University, the Gemological Institute of America, the University of Maine, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Denver.

Many associations in Connecticut have secured Bernie McManus’ expertise as a guest “road show” style appraiser for large and small fundraising events. These organizations have included the Waterbury Lions Club, Woodbury Democratic Town Committee, and Christ Church in Roxbury. Mr. McManus has served as president of the Woodbury Business Association and president of the Connecticut Antiques Dealers Association.  He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Personal Property Appraisers, and has served as an adjunct professor at C.W. Post College and Long Island University, lecturing on antique furniture and decorative arts.   

The Tuesday, June 7 program, “The Truth” About Estate & Personal Property Appraisals: Learn What Most Appraisers Won’t Tell People will be held from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. at The Hearth of Southbury, 655 Main Street South in Southbury. Admission is free. RSVP is requested to Bernie McManus 203-263-3407, bfmii@sbcglobal.net