The Do’s and Dont’s of Having an Estate Sale

In 2019, the average gross sales from an estate sale came in at $19,000.

If you don’t know what an estate sale is, it’s like a garage sale, only on a much larger scale. They’re usually done after the deaths of loved ones or when someone is trying to offload a lot of their belongings. Regardless of the reason behind your estate sale, we’re here to help you make it go as smoothly as possible.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about holding an estate sale.

1. Keep Inventory

The first (and most important) thing to do: Decide what you’re going to keep and what you’re going to sell. Be sure to be as thorough as possible when you’re conducting this search. You never know what you’ll find lying around in the basement or at the back of drawers.

2. Price Strategically

This might be the most tricky and tedious part of holding an estate sale, but it’s also what will determine how much money you can make. It’s tough because you don’t always know what will sell well where you’re at.

For instance, antiques usually go for a high price, but they’re not going to be the same value in every state you visit. So, while an item might be worth a lot in California, that doesn’t mean it will sell for the same in Ohio.

3. Turn to Professionals When Needed

If there are enough items you have trouble pricing, it might be worth turning to a professional appraiser. They’ll help make sure you don’t go under or overprice your items, and they’ll be able to make sure what you’re selling is the real deal.

4. Fix Things Up as Needed

If there’s anything that you think looks nice, it might be worth attempting to fix up. If all it takes is a simple wash, paint, or mend to bring it back to life, it might be worth more than you know.

5. Advertise

Finally, it’s time to start marketing your estate sale. Advertising is the key to getting buyers, and it’s going to be the best way to spread the news around town.

You can make signs and place them around your neighborhood, but you can also post them online. Many estate sale shoppers take to Facebook listings or other hotspots to search out the best deal, and it’s going to be exactly where they find your sale happening.

Ready to Have Your Estate Sale?

Now that we’ve gone over a few of the best basics of having your estate sale, are you ready to get started? Holding an estate sale can be a daunting one, but there’s no reason to stress with the proper planning. Our helpful tips have already helped set you up for success.

If you need more help, though, we’re here for you. Contact us today to get started.