Exploring Life & Business with Robert Bortner of Bear & Raven Appraisal and Estate Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Bortner.

Hi Robert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Over 15 years ago we were living in Ferndale, WA and operating an online antique business. Clients of a friend/colleague of ours that ran estate sales frequently asked her for appraisals but she didn’t have the time or inclination to perform them. Since Bob is very organized and a fantastic researcher and Larry had decades of experience collecting antiques – especially Asian and Victorian – we took on projects.

Like in Arizona, many people move to the Pacific Northwest due to it’s beauty. Over the years they often collect many items and even stick many items in storage (paying hundreds, if not more, in storage fees every year). When they downsized or passed away, they or their children needed to figure out how to best dispose of the items, or even how to fairly split them up among family members. Some isolated locations, such as the San Juan Islands, presented many logistical challenges for dealing with the estates, especially if children lived out of state. So Bob and Larry expanded their services to help them in any way possible.

In 2020, Bob and Larry moved to Tucson where options for selling items for anything near what they’d be worth in many other markets, is limited. Due to so many people moving here later in life, there are more people trying to sell their decades of acquisitions, rather than buy more. Holding estate sales is a primary way clients sell the items in their home in Arizona, but isn’t right for every one. This is because the local market for their items is weak, or for reasons such as living in an HOA that doesn’t allow estate sales.

Today, Bear & Raven assists clients throughout the desert Southwest learn about and evaluate disposal of a wide range of personal property, from collectibles to more nice items. We also perform appraisals for insurance or tax purposes.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We moved to Tucson in the middle of the pandemic. While the online market for collectibles and household items was very strong, it drastically complicated in personal interactions, including meeting with client, buyers and networking with partners.

Another challenge is that the local market for many household items and collectibles is weak, and so it was necessary to research and build a network of trusted buyers outside the region.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bear & Raven Appraisal and Estate Services offers a wide variety of services tailored to the needs of individuals and families that require assistance valuing their household possessions and potentially selling, donating or otherwise disposing of them. This could be due to death, divorce, or a need to downsize. We understand that these circumstances can be emotionally and frequently physically challenging and so we strive to do everything in our power to lessen the burden.

In addition to providing you with a detailed valuation of your belongings, we can provide you with options for selling or otherwise disposing of them. We are here to assist you in assessing your requirements and provide you with the level of support you choose. (as much or little handholding as you like)

How do we differ from other personal property appraisers in the Southwest?
As owners of an antique business for more than 15 years and collectors for far (far, far, far) more, we understand and value what you or your loved ones collected over the years. We are particularly renowned for our expertise with Chinese, Japanese and other Asian antiques, but also have many years of experience with a wide variety of other types of collectibles, as well as general household property.

Many clients and their families face emotional and logistical challenges when liquidating an estate or downsizing to a smaller home. We understand that many items are tied to memories and help ensure the items have a new home where someone will appreciate them. We are dedicated to providing families with the peace of mind they need during these transitions. Our comprehensive range of services and options is designed to alleviate the stress and workload associated with these major life events.

Unlike many of our peers in the Tucson area, our appraisal business is not an adjunct of an estate sale business. Also, we will not purchase items that we appraise. This way we can best provide you with an honest and realistic assessment of the value of your property, as well as your options for disposing of it should you choose to.

Bear & Raven Appraisal and Estate Services offers a wide variety of services tailored to the needs of individuals and families that require assistance valuing personal property due to damage, death, divorce, or need to downsize.

In addition to providing clients with a detailed, professional valuation of your belongings, we can provide them with options for selling or otherwise disposing of them. We help clients evaluate their needs and offer as much or as little assistance that they decide.

Larry and Bob are both members of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America (CAGA) and take great pride in our commitment to providing accurate, reliable appraisals that meet or exceed expectations. Our hourly rates are competitive and transparent, so there are no hidden surprises.

Centrally located in the Tucson area, we serve all of southern Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Mesa, Sun City, Tucson, Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Yuma) as well the entire southwestern US, including California, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and beyond.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We realize that many clients are overwhelmed and often don’t even know where to start, so give a call to discuss your needs. We’ll be honest about whether we’re a good fit. If not, we’ll point you to other firms or resources to help you address your needs.
For those in the estate profession, such as lawyers and Estate Planners, we are a trustworthy and reliable resource for providing appraisals for legal, insurance and tax purposes
And for realtors: We can help clients clear out your client’s home so you can SELL it for them.

Pricing:

• https://bearandraven.com/rates/
• Onsite inspection – $150/hr (two-hour minimum)
• Inspection at our Midtown Tucson, AZ home office – $75/hr (one-hour minimum)
• Research and/or report generation – $75/hr (no minimum)
• Remote appraisal – $40/hr (one hour minimum)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bearandraven.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearravenAppraisals