Category Archives: Estate Sales Help & Tips
Estate Sales Nitty Gritty Downsizing, Moving, Estate Liquidation
Estate sales handle the nitty gritty of downsizing, moving and estate liquidation.
Recently the New York Times and other publications have written articles by non estate liquidators about this necessary and booming industry. Much of what is discussed could be called fluff.
Whether downsizing, moving or liquidating an estate there is much more to it than just sorting and making charitable donations.
The goal of the estate sale is to reduce or eliminate personal property, Trying to give the seller(s) or heir(s) some kind of monetary return on their past purchases or gifts.
Many estate sale companies have trained staff specifically trained to work with the elderly, but the business of liquidation is still the same.
Helping people part with years of accumulation is not an easy task. Emotional attachment comes into play. A third party without attachments is often beneficial.
It is important when the time for liquidation comes, unless you really don’t want to receive any monetary compensation, donating should be left for after the estate sale.
When interviewing estate sale companies, you should feel comfortable about asking them about their experience working with senior citizens. Ask how they feel about working with families. Especially with loved ones who may be liquidating a family members personal property for medical conditions.
A knowledgeable estate liquidator will recognize items of value that could be donated, but would be more beneficial to the individual being sold.
Many estate liquidation companies are happy to discuss the handling of downsizing or liquidation with emotionally attached family or friends.
The nitty gritty of estate sales is more than just sorting, pricing, advertising and selling. It requires estate sale companies to use compassion and understanding.
Consider these elements when interviewing estate liquidators. Wise choices should make the liquidation process less stressful and hopefully financially successful.
Estate Sale No No’s
Estate sale no no’s have become a continuing theme.
Seller etiquette is as important as buyer etiquette at estate sales.
As a seller when you hire an estate sale company you should have already gone through everything in the property. Anything you want to keep should have been removed or locked away.
The job of an estate sale company is not to sort through and organize personal property so that a seller can then cherry pick items they want from the sale. It is not the task of the estate liquidation company to do the “dirty work” and then have items removed from the estate sale.
Sellers need to be responsible for looking through, sorting and choosing those items that they want. If they are dealing with a hoarder sale then discuss this with the estate sale company before signing the estate sale contract to avoid misunderstandings and future problems. This is the time to discuss items that may surface they might want and how that will be handled.
When an estate sale company agrees to conduct an estate sale, they base their fee, advertising, staff requirements and time on what they see at the time they visit the property.
Many estate sale companies have added clauses to their estate sale contracts to collect a commission on items removed after a certain time frame in the contract.
Buyers allso need to remember it is a privilege not a given to be entitled to enter and attend an estate sale. The estate sale company has a fiduciary with the seller. It is their responsibility to control entrance to, sales and buyer behavior within the property.
The estate sale company can ask a buyer to leave the sale if they feel any inappropriateness by the conduct of a buyer. This can include language, harassment, or possible theft or changing or deletion of price tags.
The estate sale should have signs posted throughout and about the property concerning the rules, terms, and conditions of the estate sale.
Estate sale no no’s apply on both sides of the estate liquidation business. Success can depend on it.
Estate Sale Of Martin Mackey Educator, Artist, Collector
The estate sale of Martin Mackey, educator, artist and collector is being conducted by Again L.A. Estate Sales starting Saturday August 5th. This estate sale will be held for four days concluding on Tuesday, August 8th in Los Angeles, California. As reported yesterday east coast, west coast estate sales.
This estate sale has taken weeks to prepare (as many collector/hoarder sales do). To view information and all the photos for this sale click on the link here.
Importance Of Liability Insurance For Estate Sales
The importance of liability insurance for estate sales has become a necessary cost for estate sale companies.
With thousands of estate sales, thousands of estate sale companies and baby boomers moving or downsizing at an increased pace, estate sale companies need to protect their businesses.
The world has become a litigious place. Estate sale companies take care when staging an estate sale, but with hundreds of people moving through the occasional incident can happen. The estate liquidator works diligently to keep the estate sale a safe environment.
One company that works with a large majority of estate sale companies providing estate sales insurance is the ACNA (Antiques and Collectibles National Association),
Vintage Slot Machines
Vintage slot machines can be found at estate sales and auctions.
Slot machines were invented in the 1890’s by Charles Fey.
With so many casinos now in almost every state using mostly video slot machines we wanted to share some of this vintage slot machine collection. They will be in an estate auction in West Virginia.
Too view more of this collection for sale visit this EstateSale.com site and click here.
Small Machine Shop, Tools At Estate Sale Seattle Washington
Small machine shop, tools at estate sale near Seattle Washington.
Reviewing the estate sales taking place this coming weekend. We would like to feature some of the incredible tools and machines available at this estate sale.
The sale is conducted Accettolas Estate Sales. To view more click here.
What’s Selling Today At Estate Sales
What’s selling today at estate sales?
Here are a few of the millions of items for sale at estate sales across the country.
This is just a sampling of the millions of items available today at estate sales. Please visit these websites to see what is selling at an estate sale in your area.
Estate Sales Summertime Review What’s Hot And Behavior
It is time for an estate sales summertime review of what’s hot and behavior.
Let us start with what’s hot in estate sales.
Recurring themes are fishing and hunting items, Pyrex (seems to be selling everywhere), military items and linens. Tools, mid-century decorative items, wood working items. Pyrex appears to be one of the hottest sellers.
Other hot sellers include good gold jewelry, great costume jewelry, purses, perfumes and inexpensive holiday decor.
The area of the country also helps determine what are hot sellers.
Behavior at summer estate sales is also hot.
Storage Unit Filled Estate Sale Or Auction
Storage unit filled, estate sale or auction. Questions to be answered.
EstateSalesNews.com has received many calls and emails from prospective sellers concerning the liquidation of personal property they have stored in storage units.
Sellers want to know what venue to use.
First question is how much is stored? What is stored? Have they asked the storage unit company if they could sell from the unit?
Many estate sale companies will not sell from a storage unit. The estate sale company has to look at what is going to be for sale, how can they display, will the storage company allow it and is it financially equitable for them?
Simply unpacking boxes to examine what is in the storage unit(s) can present a challenge.
Many estate sale companies are not set up to remove property from a storage facility to another location. On site estate sales are easier to look at and stage. They usually provide space for parking and traffic.
There are some estate sale companies that will provide the service, but usually at a much higher commission because of the work and restrictions involved. Some liquidators may offer to sell via online auction. Other estate sale companies offer both on site estate sales and auctions.
Auction companies may choose to pick up the contents of a storage unit and move it to a facility to be included with other partial contents in an auction.
If you are moving, downsizing or liquidating a loved one’s stored belongings, all of the above needs to be considered and investigated to determine what liquidation process will work best for you and if anyone in your area can assist.
Do not hesitate to consult with your local estate sale companies. If they cannot assist you, they may provide leads as to who can.
Knowing your local estate sale companies can provide you with knowledge to make wise, informed decisions.
Summer Time Estate Sales Are Everywhere
Summer time estate sales are everywhere.
Estate sale companies have extra concerns with summer estate sales.
If the property is not air conditioned with the high heat in some parts of the United States keeping customers and staff comfortable is important. Shoppers at estate sales will linger and shop more if they are not suffering from intense heat. The estate sale company staff will have more stamina when they are not working in a stuffy, hot environment.
Most estate sale companies will try to bring in fans to circulate the air if the property is not air conditioned. Some estate liquidators will even provide small bottles of water for their customers.
This is also a great time to buy window air conditioners. They are quick sellers at this time of the year. If purchasing one ask to have it plugged in to see if it works, but remember that the majority of estate sale companies sell items “as is”, but if you are looking to stick to a budget this is a good way to shop.
Patio furniture, garden tools, portable pools, swing sets, grills, and potted plants are also in summer estate sales. This is the season for downsizing, moving, and buying new.
If you are attending estate sales in the heat take water with you in your vehicle.
Some areas of the country are seeing severe downpours and heavy rain. A towel and an extra pair of shoes should be in your transport along with listening to the weather in case you need to detour around a flooded road.
The summer season of estate sales, like winter has weather considerations. Being prepared will make you a better and prepared shopper.
Check out these websites for estate sales in your area and let the estate sale company know you read EstateSalesNews.com. Happy shopping.
