Category Archives: Learn About Estate Sales

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.

Choose An Estate Sale Company By Reputation Not %
Today there are more than 15,000 estate sale companies working across America. Choosing an estate sale company should be about experience, reputation, reliability and integrity. The very last consideration should be commission or a fee.
Speaking with an estate sale company, asking to see referrals and conversing with them, reviewing their experience.
Seek out reviews on the internet and don’t hesitate to ask the estate liquidator about the reviews, especially those in question.
So many companies have come on line that it is now more important than ever to ask about their experience in the business, how they got into the business and why estate liquidations.
The very last question should be about commission and in the end this is not that important. If an estate sale company does a poor job a low commission won’t help you.
Like any other specialist, estate liquidators consider all their costs, plus the profit they need to make their living and the commission is usually based on that.
When choosing an estate sale company, choose by previous results with others, not what they want you to pay and make sure you sign an estate sale contract that covers everything. Success doesn’t just happened, it is earned and comes from knowledge. Be a savy consumer and choose wisely.

Removing Hazardous Waste Items From Estate Sales
Removing hazardous waste items from estate sales is important and necessary with estate sales.
Hazardous waste items include leftover paint cans, chemicals, pesticides, motor oil, old television tubes and other items which require special handling and can not be put in a trash dumpster.
Sellers, if you are not taking these items with you, discard of them properly or ask the estate liquidator what they will charge to eliminate them.
Disposing of what is considered hazardous waste today is not an inexpensive process and most estate sale companies will now include a clause in their contract that deals with who will and the cost of hazardous waste disposal.
Matters that use to be so simple to deal with our now becoming more important and most times more difficult. As the result, many estate sale companies are adding to their contracts to cover these situations and prevent misunderstandings.
We would like to take this time to discuss the weather across the nation right now. In most areas of the United States severe rain, heavy snow falls, high winds, and in some cases tornadoes. Estate sale companies are constantly monitoring these situations.
We urge estate sale buyers to exercise caution attending sales and stay alert to weather conditions and estate sale company postings.
Be sure to check these estate sale listing websites for updates on estate sales in your area.

A New Challenge For Estate Sale Companies In 2017
2017 is ushering in new challenges for estate sale companies.
New liquidation firms (auction houses) in particular are expanding to meet the constantly changing requirements of liquidating personal property.
Many auction companies have been servicing the public selling their personal property, however, bigger auction houses are now becoming engaged with liquidating personal property that they otherwise would not auction off.
Once again the term vetted is being used, but the question is who sets the vetting requirements and standards? With no national requirements it is important that sellers ask in depth how a company determines what vetting requirements they have and how they arrived at them.
Many associations require specific requirements from their members, however, this is not a national or state regulation. USPAP – used in appraisal (mainly real estate, but also for appraisers of personal property) is one of the few regulated requirements. Please see the USPAP article in our archives by Judy Martin, ISA, CAPP. Just type in USPAP in the search area on the left side of the front page.
Estate sale companies are challenged by these new firms entering the market place. Established estate liquidators have a working knowledge of personal property and the many needs for a successful sale. Auction companies that also sell personal property on a regular basis also understand what is required for them to succeed.
Sellers as recommended several times here on EstateSalesNews.com be sure you do your own due diligence. Take responsibility before you sign a contract with a company that you are satisfied you have asked all the appropriate questions and feel trust and confidence in the liquidator you are hiring. It’s your financial bottom line.