Estate Sale
By
M.
Each weekend signs announcing
garage and yard sales dot busy street corners.
Every now and then a new sign will spark increased interest. “Estate
I am often surprised to find that many of my clients didn’t consider an estate sale until the last minute because they believed in one or more estate sale myths. By dispelling these myths perhaps you will discover that an estate sale is a tool to consider when closing your home.
Myth 1: An Estate Sale
Although there are times when this is true the vast majority of the estate sales are for families who are downsizing. It could be a move to a much smaller home or a retirement community, or a move out of state. Faced with closing a home families take with them heirlooms and what will fit in the new home usually half the size. Preparing for the move, frequently they are overwhelmed with “What am I going to do with all this stuff?” The term “Estate” refers to the personal possessions each of us own. Estates can be very small consisting of modest holdings to very large and important collections of decorative art, personal property and impressive homes. The key here is everyone has an estate and everyone’s estate is important to him or her.
The difference between an “Estate Sale” and a “Garage Sale” is confusing. A “Garage Sale” is held when a family or group of families sell useful items that they no longer want. A garage sale’s purpose is to clean out the closet in order to make room for something else. Usually held in the garage with overspills into the driveway or backyard a garage sale is done by the family. An “Estate Sale” is conducted when the remaining contents of the home and outbuildings need to be liquidated in order to close a home. Everything from the art on the wall to tools in the garage is priced to be sold in just a few days. The objective of an estate sale is to leave the house empty, ready to start a new life. In an estate sale the whole house and yard is opened to the public for two to three day and is usually conducted by someone with experience in liquidation of household contents.
Myth 2: Only the wealthy have estate sales
Anyone can have an estate sale. I frequently hear “I don’t have an estate, I guess I don’t qualify to have an estate sale.” Surprise, you may be richer than you think. Remember, the purpose of an estate sale is to liquidate the remaining contents of the home and is an important tool to everyone regardless of their address or their position in the community.
Myth 3: You must have antiques to have an estate sale
Wrong, the average estate sale does not have a single antique. Most of the time the antiques and the treasures of the home are disbursed to the family or remain with you when you downsize. These are the heirlooms and family treasures that link us with our heritage. Antiques and decorative art are added bonuses to the sale. All estate sales have items regarded as good used furniture and general household items. The purpose of an estate sale is to close a home and liquidate the contents. You might think of it as a way to recycle your unwanted household contents. The twin bed in the guest room might be just the thing for a young child, china that has not been used for years can still be enjoyed by a new family today, pots, pans and cookware can be used by young and old alike and I have yet to meet a man who doesn’t need or want another screw driver or replace a hammer. The beauty of an estate sale is that everything from the lawnmower to the silver, a tablecloth to the china cabinet can continue to be of use in finding a new home.
The old expression is true. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Frequently a client will say, “I can’t believe you got that much for all of my old stuff!” Some of the treasures we find were everyday items from years ago that are now the collectibles of today. Things like a Ladies Head Vase from the 50’s that held flowers, a metal lunch box featuring an early TV hero, a forgotten piece of costume jewelry or a pottery bowl purchased at the dime store for $1.98 often fetch hundreds of dollars. Some of the best estate sales have hidden treasures and very few antiques, if any.
Myth 4: I need to clean up first and have a garage sale before I do an estate sale
Why make more work for yourself? First of all many cities have ordinances that limit how often you can have a “Garage Sale” and how long they can be run. Several cities in the Oklahoma City Metro limit sales to two days every six months. Second, used items will be sold in the estate sale anyway so save your time and energy for settling into your new home. I do encourage you to go through your home as you identify the items that you want to take with you but don’t worry about the things you will leave behind. Frequently, I discover that some of the items a family sold at an earlier garage sale were the mates to things in the estate sale and usually worth more than what was received at the garage sale.
Yes, it is OK to toss out obvious trash such as old margarine tubs, the contents of the medicine cabinet or makeup drawer but leave the rest for the estate sale. All too often what you want to throw away may have value in an estate sale.
Consider the advantage of having an estate sale as one of the many tools available to close your home. You can do it your self, but the advantages of having a professional estate liquidator will save you time and energy, in addition to turning a larger profit for you. Instead being overwhelmed with what to do with what is left, consider the recycling opportunities estate sale services offer. Don’t let an estate sale myth keep you from using one of the best tools available to you in the process of closing your home.
For more information she can be reached at 405-858-1914