Estate Sale FAQ's

There are many reasons why you might want to have an Estate Sale. Here are a few:
  • Liquidate the belongings of a loved one who has passed away.
  • Downsize your personal collection.
  • Divorce.
  • You have a house full of items to sell and need help doing it.

If you are considering holding an Estate Sale but you don't understand how it all works, here are some Frequently Asked Questions that might help:  

Q) Do you have to have a death in the family in order to have an estate sale?

A) No. You can have an Estate Sale if you are in possession of an entire estate full of items. This should be a large collection worthy of selling to collectors and dealers.

Q) How do I choose an estate specialist to help me?

A) When you are interviewing different people to handle your sale, keep in mind these people will be handling your family heirlooms and treasures. If you feel you can trust them alone in your house and that you can communicate openly with them about your wishes, you are probably safe to hire them. Make sure to check references before making your choice.

Q) What do you need to do to prepare for an estate sale?

A) Don’t throw away anything at all. Let the Estate Sale company do the work. They can best determine the items that will sell.

Q) How long will it take to have an estate sale?

A) It usually takes a full seven days from start to finish. This includes sorting, cleaning, tagging, staging the sale, pricing, marketing and selling the items.

Q) How will I know what sold and for how much?

A) A reputable and trustworthy company will give you a complete itemized list of the sale and items sold at the end of the liquidation. This list should be typed and easy to understand.

Q) What happens if there is hidden money, photos, love letters, or personal papers found inside the house?

A) Any reputable and responsible Estate Specialist will simply set these things aside, along with anything else that seems too personal to sell without permission. They will usually have the family come and retrieve the items or will mail it to you upon your request.

Q) Who pays the sales tax for the purchases made by the general public, who do not hold re-sale numbers or tax ID numbers?

A) Some liquidators charge sales tax per item, but most pay all the taxes themselves.

Q) How does the liquidator get paid from the sale?

A) Most estate liquidators work on a commission from the net proceeds of the estate sale itself. You should not have to pay any money up front or out of pocket.

Q) What if you decide you want to keep something out of the sale?

A) A reputable liquidator will allow you to simply ask and the liquidator should comply. Some estate liquidators have a clause in their contract saying you must pay for any items you decide to keep after signing the contract. Try to make sure you take the items you want before you sign  contracts.

Q) Do I have to have antiques or collectibles to have an estate sale?

A) No. If you are going to have an estate sale, consider using an estate liquidation specialist who understands which items are likely to sell, and which items hold the most interest for collectors or dealers.