Ready to Move: Let’s Have an Estate Sale!
You have decided to move, and now the excitement is building.
You are planning and making notes on everything. This move is one you have looked forward for some time.
But the reality is you need to make some tough decisions on what items to take with you and what things need to be left behind.
You survey your living areas and realize that you have more than several pieces of furniture that belonged to your great aunt, your mother, or your grandmother. They are treasured items, but your lifestyle has changed.
There was a time when great grandmom’s brass bed was something you fought to have. Now it doesn’t reflect what you want the guestroom to look like.
It is hard to part with items that have sentimental value. Sometimes, it is hard to part with things that you have bought and cherished, even if they are not a part of your family’s history.
Yard sales are not for moments like this!
They are for items that fill up your cabinets and take up space. But Estate Sales are for life-changing situations. They usually are for higher-end priced items that have value. When you look around and see your Aunt Martha’s beautiful hutch that won’t fit in your new home but still looks great and has lots of life left in it, then it is time to hire a professional estate sale company to help.
This isn’t something you do every day. So, it’s perfectly understandable that you will wonder if you are doing the right thing. Who will direct the process and how will your items be priced correctly?
An estate sale is an efficient way to declutter before your move. If you are moving to a smaller space, then you will need to let go of items that just won’t fit. Or if you are moving into a home that has a different style and design, estate sales are smart things to have. They help you organize your move and streamline the process.
Hiring the right professionals
Hiring the right professionals to handle the whole kit and caboodle can make the move a lot easier—and more lucrative.
Today, estate sales are held by those who are downsizing their too-large family home and moving into a smaller place. It’s not just retirees that are making this decision. For some, having less real estate space is smart financially. So, no matter the situation, estate sales are on the rise, and they are a monumental undertaking—which is why you need a professional estate sale agent.
There are several questions to ask while searching for the right estate sale company. Usually, we begin by asking how much an estate sale company will charge. Below are several good questions to get you started. There will be many more but begin with these and you will be on your way.
- What experience do you have in estate sales? Can you provide references? Don’t be shy! And don’t be surprised if word-of-mouth is how you hear about a company. Friends recommend companies that do a great job. If the company you are looking at has a website, be sure to check it out.
You want to hire a company with several years of experience and has reviews to back up their work. Remember, you are not asking for a yard or garage sale. This your family’s estate, that could involve a lot of money. You need someone who has experience dealing with sorting through items in your estate.
Honesty counts.
One client could not find her mother’s wedding ring! She had searched through every drawer and looked through all her mother’s hiding places. While going through every area of her mother’s home, the head of the estate sale group found the ring and made sure it was given to her. Be sure to ask to see a sample contract for the sale.
- What is your charge, and what services are included? Most estate sale companies charge a commission based on total sales. According to the National Estate Sales Organization, estate sale companies typically charge between 30% and 50% of the gross sales. Don’t be tempted to look for the company with the lowest commission. Look for a company that will get the job done well and safely.
Commission percentages can be lower for estates with high value items, or estates that require minimal sorting and organizing. A potential estate sale company representative should mentally “walk through” the process.
Estate sale companies will do a personal assessment of the items that you have. Make sure you have enough items for a profit. Estate sales that require more work incur higher commission costs, and the opposite is true of sales that are easy to set up and run.
Ask what services incur extra fees.
In some cases, estate sale managers have a way to remove remaining items that did not sell. Make sure you know the cost of their additional help.
- Ask: Does any of your staff have a personal property appraisal certification? Hire a company that has experience sorting through the estate and setting proper values. As you interview prospective companies, ask how their process works. Be sure to ask about their staff’s appraisal qualifications and credentials. Many estate sale companies use outside appraisers.
- What will be our communication process? Communication is the key to good working relationships. Ask how you can expect to communicate with your estate sale company. In the case of an estate sale, communication lines should be open and stated clearly in the contract. When checking the company’s references, look for things that demonstrate their level of communication. Also, find out how you should communicate with them: phone, text, or email.
- How do you plan to market my sale? Experienced estate sale companies have spent years building a subscriber base of buyers. Every time these companies hold an estate sale, they have a signup sheet that they broadcast to their followers. Some estate sale managers will have a “pre-sale” day, where customers come and shop the day before the sale begins.
- How will you handle security? Ask companies what safeguards will be in place to prevent theft and damage at the sale. Dozens of people can wander through estate sales. Certain areas of your home will be open, so security is critical, especially when handling cash, checks, or credit card charges.
Side Note: Make sure the company you choose has liability insurance. Plus, you want to ensure your homeowner’s insurance policy is active.
- How long does the entire estate sale process take? You want to have a plan in place so you can go forward. Ask when the estate company will begin and when they plan to end. The process will take time. Items need to be sorted, categorized, and priced. This is why you are hiring an estate sales professional – to save you time and effort.
Hiring the right professional moving team
This is the same principle that applies to your moving experience: Save time and, most of the time, money by hiring the right professional team that understands how to get the job done efficiently.
- What will we do with the unsold items? There are always items that do not sell. Ask your estate company if they have a plan for the unsold items. Some companies have connections with dealers who will purchase the remaining items, or you may donate what remains to a charity.
“Hiring an estate sale company can be a daunting task,” says a representative from EstateSales.net. So, whether you’re still deciding if you need to have a sale or you are ready to take the plunge, you can connect with estate representatives in your area.
Once you have made your estate sale plans, remember it will be time to secure a relocation team. Lambert Moving Systems is an established, trusted, family-owned, and operated business. Over the years, Lambert has built a solid reputation for delivering exceptional moving services to countless satisfied customers.
When you choose Lambert, you are choosing a company that values integrity, professionalism, and the utmost care for your belongings. Contact us today for a free quote: https://golambertteam.com.
