Why liquid assets are necessary for financial planning?

Liquid assets, sometimes, fulfill the urgent financial requirement created by unpredicted events like loss of business, loss of a job, legal issues, political or economic downturns, which raise the need for instant access to cash. 

In such a case, liquid assets can provide a reserve. Collectibles are stock market alternatives which, mainly, include antiques, art, wine, and cars. Investors can put their money in passion items with prospective growth in the future. 

Some of the celebrity-based auctions get collectors who are passionate about owning the items owned by the renowned. These collectors are extensively enthusiastic about the items and are ready to pay more than the estimated values. 

The online auctions in 2017 of items belonging to Audrey Hepburn’s estate, which held the traveling exhibition in Hong Kong, London, and Hollywood, attracted over 12,000 visitors and bidders from more than 50 countries, across 6 continents, resulting in a sale of items worth seven times higher than pre-estimated price.  

The introduction of online auctions increased the participation of people from remote parts of the world in such events where some paintings or artworks by modern living painters are getting a higher value than vintage pieces.  However, it is necessary to make the right informed choice about such deals and get the items through reliable dealers. 

Why buy collectibles?

Common liquid assets are cash, bank checks, stocks, and bonds, but some other assets can be included in the category like real estate/property, small business ventures. 

The items may not necessarily get exponential growth in value but it provides an interesting way to invest and generate returns. 

Alternatives offer the opportunity to benefit when the trend for some items picks up but the investors need to remain vigilant on the type of item to buy and when to sell. 

For example - investing in unsafe real estate or buildings can result in losses caused by wrong property investment decisions. 

Many such items involve legal procedures like renting or selling a property. 

Some deals involve bureaucratic issues and may require obligations to be fulfilled to become an owner. 

The sale of valuables like fine arts and collectibles incur taxes where the total gains are calculated after deducting the business-related expenses. 

Such items can be purchased or inherited, and capital gain tax is paid on its sale. 

Appraisal and Taxes

The appraisal of firm market value work may include the auction record of the artist in the case of artwork. Appraisers will see if the artist has a secondary or minimal auction record or the dealer record is taken as a reference. 

The work of retail replacement, the general record of the dealer, and the private sale records are considered during appraisals. 

There are different regulations in different countries regarding capital gains tax, which transforms depending on modifications made by the government in the related laws, but in general, the long-term capital gain taxes can be zero, or in the range of 15 -20 percent.  Mostly, the physical assets or precious metals in the form of bullion, bars, or coins are liable for higher long-term capital gain tax on the sale.