What Is an Estate Sale?

Questions to ask an estate sale company

It’s wise to interview and compare multiple estate sale companies. Here are some good questions to ask:

• How many estate sales have you organized in the area?
• What is your commission percentage or fee structure?
• Do you have additional fees in addition to the commission?
• What strategies will you use to market my sale?
• How do you appraise and price items?
• Do you have a certified personal property appraiser on staff?
• How long does your estate sale process take?
• Can you provide references from recent clients in our area?
• Do you have documents showing you’re fully insured and bonded?
• How do you handle security during the sale?
• How do you handle unsold items after the sale?
• How is the after-sale clean-up handled?
• How does your customer payout process work?

What items sell best at estate sales?

According to the premier auction house Lion and Unicorn, certain items tend to attract the most interest and fetch higher prices at estate sales. Some of the most in-demand items include:

• Paintings, sculptures, signed prints, and other artwork
• Collectible coins, stamps, sports memorabilia, and vintage toys
• Antique, vintage, or quality leather furniture
• Fine jewelry and luxury watches (both contemporary and vintage)
• Designer clothing and accessories, such as vintage handbags and shoes
• Rare manuscripts and first-edition, signed, or out-of-print books
• High-quality cookware and appliances like Le Creuset, All-Clad, and Griswold
• Quality, rare, or vintage musical instruments and equipment
• Outdoor furniture and garden décor such as statues or wrought iron seating
• Vintage or high-end tools and specialty equipment

Are there things you can’t sell at an estate sale?

Yes, estate sale companies follow legal and ethical guidelines that prohibit the sale of certain items. If you’re unsure whether something can be sold, check with your estate sale provider. Commonly restricted items include:

• Alcohol: Selling wine, beer, or liquor usually requires a special license
• Opened or perishable food: Health concerns prevent the sale of most food items
• Prescription medications: Federal laws prohibit the resale of prescription drugs
• Sensitive documents: Tax records, passports, and bank statements should be shredded, not sold
• Recalled or hazardous items: Some baby gear, electronics, and household goods may be restricted
• Certain weapons: Firearms, ammunition, or knives may have legal restrictions depending on state laws
• Company-restricted items: These might include adult items like pornography

Do you need to empty a house before selling it?

If you are like most people planning an estate sale, the goal is to empty the home of its belongings so it can be sold. Whether you need to sell everything in the house often depends on your selling method:

• If you’re working with a real estate agent: Some agents recommend leaving select furniture and decor for staging purposes. If the home is already empty, agents may suggest virtual staging to enhance listing photos.
• If you’re selling the house as-is for cash: If you don’t want to deal with cleaning, staging, or making repairs, selling the home as-is to a “We Buy Houses for Cash” company could be the easiest, quickest option. Many cash buyers purchase homes with remaining belongings and handle all cleanouts.

If you need a convenient, as-is cash sale, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform can connect you with the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the country who purchase homes in almost any condition. You can receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours and close in as few as 10 days — skipping repairs, showings, and clean-outs.