1. When looking for a nice antique to accent your home consider the condition of the piece. Is it in poor condition? Has it been restored? Even things of value, if they are poorly restored or not kept well, can be less desirable and devalued if not taken care of properly.
2. Do your research. To make sure you get the best price for your dollar do some research. See how much an item is worth so that you have an idea of what you should be spending.
3. Just because something is old doesn't make it valuable. If something is very common or not in high demand, even if it is old, it won't be worth much.
4. Part of the fun of antiquing is negotiating. A friendly help-me-out kind of attitude gets you a lot further with most dealers than a negative, attacking stance.
5. Is it authentic? Telltale signs of authenticity are that the piece will have dirt in crevices or in places that are hard to clean. There may also be wear around knobs and on drawers.

Find out more. Check out Antiques: How to Spot the Real Deal on a A Bigger View.

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