Art Price Appreciation / Depreciation

[checkcheck]

Hello All,
I am relatively new to the art buying world, but I now own far two many paintings (according to my wife anyway). I am getting to the point where I have a few pieces that I am tempted to sell in order to make more room for new works. While I only collect paintings I like, I did start thinking about the monetary side of things as it pertains to reselling an original.

While looking through the For Sale sections, I noticed many pieces being offered for a fraction of their initial purchase price. Is this the norm? Is this what I should expect in most instances? If so, I guess other than in rare instances, art is by no means an "investment"? 

I just want to make sure I go into this with the right expectations in terms of purchasing new paintings and then having to sell some of my current originals.

Thanks very much for your guidance.

[sleepboy]

I would say more often than not, your art will not maintain it's value if you are buying solely based on what you like. There are however many people who do it as an investment but you have to be very selective and often well connected to get work from the right artists.

[durtro]

some of resale has to do with how old the piece is and whether the artists prices have gone up.  usually a sale within a few years of purchase you are never going to get the price you paid. couple reasons. there isnt a good way to reach the potential customers. this site or ebay are the best i have found. art collectors want the newest pieces it seems not the stuff from 3 years ago(though if anyone wants to sell some older brian viveros stuff i'm interested). and lastly i will given a preference always buy from a trusted gallery than a private individual. there are always exceptions. i just paid too much for a casey weldon on this site because i HAD to have one of his cat paintings and his shows sell out way too quick. what were you looking to sell?

[checkcheck]

Thanks so much for the feedback gentlemen. I appreciate the words of wisdom.

I may post a few paintings shortly that I would be willing to sell now. I am also going to look into storing / rotating works as another option.