One of my more challenging and sad jobs was working for a client I never met. She moved out of her home suddenly for health reasons and then passed away. Her older brother, who lived out of town, was left to handle her estate. He requested that her home be cleared out, but that the contents not be sold.
Walking into her home it looked as though she had left for a shopping trip and not returned. After days handling every piece of paper, pair of shoes, pantry item, memorabilia, etc., I felt like I knew her. I arranged for multiple charity donation pick-ups, shredding services, trash haul away, and ended with a “Free Yard Sale.”
This experience helped me understand the overwhelm that many face when a loved one passes away. “You can’t take it with you” is more than just a saying—it’s true. Sometimes it would be easier if we could.
The saying is also true when needing to drastically downsize—moving overseas, into a retirement community, or convalescent care. You can’t take it all.
There's an option that's often overlooked—having an estate sale. Not all estate sale and liquidation companies operate the same. Here are some Timely Tips about what you might expect.
Timely Tips when considering an Estate Sale
Photo by Simone Pellegrini on Unsplash
Initial Contact:
Realtors, estate planning attorneys, senior centers, funeral home directors, and professional organizers may have referrals for estate sale companies.
Schedule two or three companies to assess your project and to get a feel for who you’d prefer working with.
Questions to ask:
How long have you been in business?
Are you bonded and insured?
What are your fees?
What do you do with leftover items?
What is your marketing plan? Many have a following and send out e-newsletters or post photos and dates of upcoming sales on their websites and social media.
Ask for references and/or visit one of their upcoming sales.
What it costs:
Most estate sale companies charge 30-50% of the gross sales. Setting up and tagging is time intensive, requiring many hours. They also have a team of people working the sale day to ensure security and efficiency for checkout.
There should be no upfront cost. They collect their payment out of the proceeds of the sale.
Pricing:
The estate company staff is knowledgeable about local market conditions and prices items accordingly.
If it’s a two-day sale they may offer a discount on the second day.
Many have expertise in collectibles and antiques.
You may also bring in a certified personal property appraiser to assess items of significant value. Contact the International Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, or the American Society of Appraisers for qualified appraisers.
What to remove:
Before the sale remove any medical/financial records (for shredding), photos, and sentimental items that you want to keep.
In most situations companies will tell you to leave everything else and let them decide what’s sellable. Believe it or not, even half-used cleaners under the sink often sell.
What happens to the leftovers:
Some contract with charities that pick up usable items.
Whether it’s included or an extra charge, most offer clean up and haul away services so the house is left empty and ready to sell.
Don’t show up:
Part of the reason for hiring a company to do the sale is not having to watch strangers go through the belongings and walk away with them.
Remember:
The items you’re selling completed their mission with you, or your loved one; they can now benefit someone else.
Getting some money for the items instead of paying someone to take them away is a better deal.
As an occasional estate sale shopper, I appreciate the opportunity to treasure something that was previously treasured or provide something needed like a dinnerware set for my daughter when she got her first apartment.
wise words For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. --Apostle Paul