It's unlikely that you will find a million-dollar painting at the flea market.
But at Sotheby's, the famous auction house, appraisers say about 5 percent of letters they get contain photos of paintings or furniture worth $10,000 or more.
Furniture
* The item should impress you and stand out from other items at the sale.
Look for great workmanship on the legs, arms, handles and doors.
* Imperfections: Don't worry about chairs that are missing upholstery.
Much of the value of great furniture is in the frame. The legs should be in good condition.
Paintings
* Small tears are OK unless they run through the face on a portrait.
* Check the back for labels and stamps from a museum or gallery.
* Don't believe the signature. All forgeries have a famous signature.
* Content. Paintings of women and still lifes of fruit or flowers, that have an intrinsic decorative value, recoup the purchase price better than hobbyist paintings of hunters, for example.
Collectables
* Ask why the item is being sold, and where it came from. Any information about its history could help to establish authenticity.
* Smaller pieces are more valuable. Whether they are models of trains or antique furniture, collectors have a limited space to display them.
