Art Investing for Beginners
If you are just starting out in art investing, or in any investing for that matter, you really shouldn't dive in without knowing a thing or two first. It is important to analyze your budget, your likes and dislikes, as well as your lifestyle before beginning your art investing. If you jump ahead too quickly, you could make a costly mistake. With a little planning and education, you can explore the world of art investing without losing your shirt.
The first thing that you will want to do before you begin investing is to sit down and write out a plan. How much money do you have to devote to art investing? Is this something that you are going to do with a bonus you received from your job, or are you interested in this becoming your full time income? You should establish a budget, timeline and a list of goals you hope to accomplish.
Now that you have your budget and a plan outlined, you can begin investigating the types of art investing that might be right for you. Chances are, especially as a beginner, you will not find much at Christie's or Sotheby's that fits your plan. However, it won't do you any good from an investment standpoint to purchase an unoriginal piece from a starving-artist's sale. These are not investments; they are disposable purchases and will not help your art investing portfolio down the road.
When searching for your start for art investing, it is important to stay within your budget but buy the very best you can afford. One expensive painting will prove to be a greater asset than several mediocre, inexpensive paintings. You may have to hold the more expensive painting for a while before you see a return, but that is the nature of art investing. It is not a revolving door, and most of your investments are going to be long term.
Art investing as a beginner is daunting, and is not something you should attempt on your own. Consider seeking professional advice, especially when devising your budget and plan. An expert art investor will be able to tell you the price ranges and time spans that are right for you. You will, of course have to pay for this advice, but that is simply another facet of art investing that will pay off in the long run.
If you are still unsure about jumping into art investing on your own, you have other options. Art Mutual funds are groups that you, the investor, can buy into. This is a great form of beginners' art investing, as you put in only what you can afford. Most mutual funds in art investing are similar to standard financial investing, as they usually guarantee at least your principle back. By investing only what you can afford, you are art investing while sticking to your budget. When profits are yielded, your payout will reflect the percentage of the whole fund that your investment represented.
Being a beginner in any investment venture can be intimidating. Remember to educate yourself and see the advice of others with more experience than you. Don't go over your budget, but don't take the cheap way out either. Once you've been in art investing for a while, you may decide to build up to larger, riskier investments. That is what the business is about, as long as you practice self control learn as much as you can on the way up to help you in the future.