We Offer: Award-Winning Services, all for your benefit!

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

We Offer: Estate Sales, Personal Property Appraisals, House Cleanouts, and more!

Contact Diane Smith by filling out the form below:

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! You will be happy to hear of how all of our clients are very pleased at the end of their estate sale conducted by Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC. 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 will be happy to 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!

Based out of Mendham, NJ since 1991

Diane Smith, AEL. Copyright Diane Smith, 2023 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 the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) - Annually renewed Club Membership, along with countless other unique research, membership, object grading, and database organizations.

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 Henry (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!

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!

 

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25,000+ Happy Customers to Date!

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 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 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. Her estate work began in 1991. Mrs. Smith 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.  Ms. Smith frequently visits museums, libraries and antique shops. In 2005 she became involved in appraising tangible personal property 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 within the market.

She 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. Diane gets top dollar amounts for coins along with all other valuables because of her vast and spanning amounts of knowledge and experience working in the sales, auction, and estate liquidation fields during her everyday work in her business today. Please let Diane know if you have coins available to sell as well.

These resources have advanced her proficiency as a connoisseur in appraising personal property.  She uses the 14 points of connoisseurship when evaluating collections or individual objects or works, and has previously appraised similar works for other clients.  Diane will tailor and adjust what we provide 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 attending online courses offered to Accredited Members by the American Society of Estate Liquidators. Diane also has completed gemstone courses offered by the Gemological Institute of America.  She has attended many lectures at museums, and libraries pertaining to subjects on the different types of art throughout the ages, art styles and artist signature identification. 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.

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 NJ 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 general value range for each of the objects she inspected, October 2017.She has also been asked to perform the above 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

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 our company and services:

We have over 65 years combined experience selling all home contents, collectibles, rare art, jewelry, and antiques. We know how to get the top-dollar for you! We 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. Sometimes we even offer to buy items directly from our clients. We offer great prices for gold, silver, and fine jewelry (diamond, rare gemstone, etc…). We can consign or sell anything, whether it be 1800’s gold coins, a French Provincial desk, a mid-century modern lamp, Cartier diamond earrings, or anything in between!

We help all of our customers and can help you too! We help our clients identify, price, consign, and sell all valuables in their homes. We always let our clients know the title and value of their possessions and what it is, exactly, that they have. For example, if you have a piece of diamond jewelry, we will tell you about the piece, it’s maker, and we will tell you exactly how much it will be worth, we will then sell it for the highest amount possible according to it’s realistic value in the market of that day and time period, getting you the most amount of money and greatest profit possible from the sale.

Above all, we are kind. We promise to be always kind, considerate, and professional when conducting business with you and running 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 talk to us about selling your items, us conducting an estate sale for you, cleaning out your home, or having items appraised: in all those ways, we can help you! We deal with clients moving out of their home and into a new home all the time! We frequently conduct estate sales near the date of the realty “closing” of a home during the sale of a home and we are experts at removing all items from homes prior to their sale and their realty “closing”.

Before & After

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

Before

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
and,
The Professional Coin Grading Service - Club Member

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 AND are both Licensed with the State of New Jersey


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 32 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, 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. We are well-read in terms of education and reference books. Diane Smith, AEL can easily appraise any object of virtue or value 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 conducts all of her Estate Sales in-person and does all the work herself, 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 told once 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 30 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 30+ years of experience to bring a GREAT Estate Sale experience to both you and her customers. Hire her today! You will be well-pleased! 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 as an Assisted Living Nurse/Supervisor and I have been conducting Profitable Estate and Liquidation Sales 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!”!

Upcoming Sales

©Diane Smith Estate Sales & Appraisals, LLC All Rights Reserved

Website Updated: 11.05.2023