Category Archives: Estate sales information
Estate Sales Advertising Without Pictures Of Items For Sale
Estate sales that advertise items without showing pictures certainly is disturbing to buyers and sellers.
Looking at estate sales and searching for items is a regular practice. What is disturbing is the written advertising includes items (many larger), but no photos are on the estate sale advertising listing website.
We were looking today for vintage appliances and found one estate sale advertising a galvanized tub, but no photos were included. Advertising vintage items with no photos of a vintage tub, yet a photo of a walke. This is not good advertising.
It is vital to a seller and to attract buyers that items of serious interest have photos on websites that advertise estate sales.
Many estate sale advertising listing websites limit the number of photos or an additional charge is incurred. This should be taken into account by the estate sale company when deciding on their costs.
Advertising items of interest in an estate sale, however, should have photos on advertising websites unless it is a security situation.
Sellers, if you are looking for an estate sale company ask to see their online advertising. Ask how they decide what is and isn’t important. Discuss what items of interest to buyers are in your sale and would they feature photos of them.
Searching for items of serious interest that are included in the listing section of the sale without a photo on the website page is not good marketing and that is not beneficial to your bottom line.
Advertising is a knowledge of marketing and requires experience. Anyone can post a list, but knowing what is of interest to buyers is the trademark of an experienced estate sale company.
Estate Sale Companies Need Their Own Email List
Estate sale companies need an email list. Preferably their own. Why?
Most estate sale companies set out a estate sale email list for their sales, however, not all buyers may be appropriate to invite back.
An estate sale company that has it’s own culled list of buyers know who they are dealing with, what they buy and when necessary for a private liquidation who to invite.
Estate sale listing websites have email blast lists, however, this is an anyone can sign up list.
Estate liquidators want to attract as many buyers as possible, but most companies have their own list for sales where the client doesn’t want the general public or the buyers must be in controlled numbers.
It is in the best interest of sellers and estate sale companies to keep separate lists.
As a buyer ask the estate liquidator if they have a list and do they keep track of buyers that buy or look for specific items.
This is a good time to remind buyers, that estate sale etiquette is important to be maintained on a private list. To review what estate sale etiquette is click here on this link.
Another Monday starts with estate sales beginning on Thursday, just four days away.
Top Questions Sellers Ask About Estate Sales
The top questions sellers ask about estate sales is based on our Google analytics. We offer this review with links to pages on our website to answer some of these questions.
#1 Estate sale contract – what to know and expect. Estate sale contracts.
#2 Downsizing or moving, estate sale or garage sale and what’s the difference.
#3 Estate sale costs. What you need to know.
#4 Selling cars and vehicles at estate sales
#5 Estate sale clean outs – under estate sale contracts.
On this Thursday as estate sales begin for another weekend we hope these top five EstateSalesNews.com topics answer some major questions.
International Society Of Appraisers And Estate Sales News
EstateSalesNews.com has been honored by asking to speak at this years International Association of Appraisers conference.
We will be speaking about selling out the house and how to avoid the pitfalls of estate sales.
The conference this year is in Chicago, IL.
We will be addressing that conducting estates sales are a business, not a hobby.
Understanding the estate sale contract.
Why ISA (International Society of Appraisers).
What to do with left overs from estate sales and wearing three hats for one client.
We are excited to have this opportunity to speak about a subject we embrace and encourage and to such a prestigious group as the ISA.
Today is the start of another weekend of estate sales and their are thousands taking place across the country.
Please look at these websites for estate sales in your area.
Updated Checklist For Estate Sale Contracts
Here is an updated checklist for estate sale contracts for estate sale companies and sellers.
We are not an attorney, but these items should be included and understood in the estate sale contract.
The estate sale contract should lay out in clear language.
- Name of the estate sales company
- Name of owner/s, heirs, or attorney
- Date of estate sale contract
- Address where the sale is to take place
- Dates the sale is to be held and time
- Dates the estate sale company will be given access to setup and price
- Any items excluded from sale on addendum when contract is signed
- Utilities – electric, plumbing, heating and air conditioning should be working
- Liability insurance for estate sale company
- Homeowner must have active homeowner insurance policy
- Ramifications of removal of items by sellers after contract is signed
- Fee or commission that will be charged if items removed or sold ahead by seller
- Cancellation clause of contract
- Party responsible for advertising and costs
- Who is responsible for obtaining and paying for any permits required
- Cost of sale, commission, fee, any additional sale related costs
- When seller will receive net proceeds and form of payment to be made
- Will seller receive written account of sold items and what it will or won’t include
- Who is responsible for the clean out when the estate sale is concluded
- If estate sale company cleans out any costs associated with clean out
- Any additional costs for appraisals or specific appraisals
- **If needed winter expenses and responsibility, i.e. plowing, shoveling, sand etc.
Visit the top of our front page for Choosing An Estate Sale Company.
Finding And Hiring An Estate Sale Company
Finding and hiring an estate sale company is becoming more involved as the number of estate sale companies continue to grow.
To find companies you can ask your attorney, ask your Realtor, look on estate sale company listing websites and look at estate sale companies who have memberships with estate sale associations and societies.
If you are asking a Realtor and they give you a recommendation ask them if they have any type of working relationship with them. Do they receive a referral fee? Your best interest is served when a real estate company refers you simply because they are familiar with your work and ethics and believe you can best handle the job for their clients.
If you are looking on estate sale listing websites, remember all these sites are paid by the companies on them and in most instances the listing company will provide several names of companies listed with them in your area. They do not have personal or direct knowledge of these companies.
Your attorney may be able to provide a recommendation based on previous experience with a liquidation company.
When you are trying to find an estate sale company, be sure to check for reviews online as well. Toss out the frivolous or silly ones (there are many of those) and be concerned with those who truly question business practices. If you are still interested in the estate sale company speak with them. Ask them about the review and what their side was.
Using several sources and your own research is the best way to find and hire an estate sale company.
Support The US Economy And Buy American At Estate Sales
Support the US economy and buy at American estate sales. These sales are run by American small businesses. Their staffs as well as the liquidators spend their dollars here in America. Although many household items may have been made overseas, buying it from estate sale companies supports our small business owners and the people that work for them.
Several articles have been published lately about estate sales and all the items the reporters have said are selling. These articles are based on interviews with a few liquidators and a few auction companies.
With 15,000 plus estate sale companies across the United States and more companies forming everyday, the interviews of a few do not speak to the majority.
Yes, there may be some areas where estate liquidations aren’t producing the results hoped for, but there could be several reasons for this, including the number of estate sale companies in the area.
We encourage estate sale companies to remind their buyers to buy American. After the recent election where millions of Americans wanted jobs brought back to the United States here is your opportunity.
Estate Sale Companies Use Research And Knowledge To Price
Estate sale companies use research and knowledge to price your estate sale items. It is amazing what is found in estate sales that require research and where and how to conduct that research.
An experienced and knowledgeable estate liquidator friend recently shared information about luggage labels and baggage tags that have become collectible. The take away is knowing where and how to research these collectibles.
Gaining knowledge and more importantly knowing how to research items is important to both estate sale companies and sellers.
The experienced estate liquidator will conduct research by book, computer, auction catalogue results and networking with other estate sale companies. They will also consult with certified appraisers. Many estate sale companies keep an appraiser on retainer. Especially a CAPP (Certified Appraiser Personal Property).
Having the knowledge to know where and how to research is an important reason for hiring a professional estate sale company. The average seller just isn’t equipped with the knowledge or know how to properly price and advertise their sales. Many times money is lost because of lack of experience or where to research. It’s more than just eBay.
When choosing the right company to conduct your estate liquidation or downsizing sale ask about their experience and how they research. It’s your $$$$ that are at stake.
What’s Hot This Winter At Estate Sales?
We asked a network of 486 estate sale companies “what’s hot this winter at estate sales. Please let us know your area”. EstateSaleNews.com received a great response.
The answers show a real diversity of estate sales and estate sale buyers from coast to coast.
In the Buffalo, New York area Pyrex, any kind of small furniture (end tables etc.) vintage Christmas ornaments and “snow blowers”.
In Tallahassee, Florida Roseville pottery, primitives, high end glassware, and ephemera.
In Essex Junction Vermont, Danish Modern furniture.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Pyrex, most anything vintage including jewelry, linens and funky rugs etc.
Toledo, Ohio is selling Pyrex, vintage toys and some antique accent pieces.
Northwest Arkansas is selling vintage pocket knives, name brand furniture, smalls from Japan, Germany and Italy. Vintage and mid-century items and high end items to name some.
North Carolina, mid-century items and furniture, primitives and crates with advertisements.
Meridian, Mississippi, Pyrex, Tupperware, anything industrial and ephemera.
Eastern Washington state, guns, coins, militaria, mid-century modern, wooden fishing lures, and primitives.
South of Houston, Texas, Pyrex and Fire King, primitives, most do over pinterestable furniture, good butcher block work tables.
St. Louis, Missouri, good brand electronics, painted furniture, early Chinese pottery,
Virginia, jewelry, mid-century, guns, military.
Houston, Texas vintage electronics, mid-century modern, tools, garden decor, vintage rattan, primitives, farmhouse chic.
These are just the responses received in the last ten hours. We wish to thank all the estate liquidators that took time to respond and we will update again in the Spring.
We did not hear from anyone in the northeast and southeast or California, but this is the start of another estate sale weekend.
One item that does stand out is Pyrex. What was once old and put in rummage sales is now prized and collected.
Estate sales offer renewal, an opportunity to bring the past into the present and present us with happy memories.
Shopping at estate sales saves $$$, recycles keeping our planet green and keeps our past in the present.
Check out these estate sale listing websites for estate sales near you.
Buying Valentine Gifts At Estate Sales
Buying a Valentine gift at an estate sale is special.
Instead of overpriced flowers or candy and better than a crowded dinner out.
A Valentine gift purchased at an estate sale tells your Valentine you took time to be thoughtful.
Estate sales have so much to offer right now and you still have three weeks to find that special gift.
You may even find vintage Valentine cards to give. Romance, art and love were in the air then.
Here are some of the great Valentine gift ideas at estate sales. From jewelry to vintage, art to games you can find it at an estate sale.
