Should You Consider An Estate Sale?

When you’re selling, don’t automatically plan to donate or discard items you don’t need. An estate sale, also called a tag sale, liquidation sale, moving sale, etc., may be the simplest and most profitable solution.  A typical estate sale includes everything left in the house, from ordinary household items like dishes and kitchen utensils, to furniture, decorative accessories, antiques and other valuables. The sale is most effectively run by an estate sale manager who receives a percentage of the gross earnings, plus any special fees. Some estate sale managers are also professional appraisers, or will bring in professionals, who know a treasure when they see one, even something you might have thrown away.

The estate sale can be held at your house, under certain circumstances. Do you have enough for a sale? Would your subdivision regulations allow it? Is there adequate access and parking? Even if your household is small and your needs are simple, consider an estate sale. Your belongings can be successfully combined with many other households and sold at a much larger sale.  These “mega sales” are widely promoted and generate much more traffic than an individual sale.

Planning an estate sale is a large, complex project, but an estate sale manager can handle all the details for you. Here’s how to find a good company:

•  Talk with friends who’ve had an estate sale.
• Ask your REALTOR®, attorney, CPA or trust officer. 
• Look on the internet and visit each company’s web site. 
• Get current references and check them. 
• Ask about the manager’s experience and any special expertise. Could you work well together?
• Get a detailed proposal with a description of services, procedures for antiques and valuables, how the sale will be marketed and all commissions and fees that will be charged. 
• The contract should state who is responsible if items are damaged, stolen or otherwise unaccounted for, before, during and after the sale.
• Negotiate any changes and be certain they’re in the final version of the contract before you sign it. 
• Don’t choose by cost alone. A company that charges a higher percentage may provide more services.
  

Smart Selling Tip:
An estate sale can be an efficient and profitable way to dispose of your belongings, regardless of the size of your household. Get recommendations and investigate each company thoroughly before signing a contract. Don’t decide by cost alone.