Is an Estate Sale Right for Me?

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Several key factors help determine if an estate sale is the best fit:

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• Inventory: We’ll assess both the overall volume and value of items. A good variety and quantity help attract buyers and make the sale successful.
   

• Timing: We need a minimum of two weeks to set up, stage, advertise, and conduct a professional sale. Our schedule can fill quickly, so advance planning is important.
   

• Location: Easy access, good parking, and visibility for signage all help ensure a strong turnout. We’ll talk through any challenges during our first visit.
   

If you’re unsure, don’t worry—contact us for a free consultation! We’ll give you honest advice about whether an estate sale is your best option.

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What should I do to prepare for an estate sale?

 

We’re here to handle the hard part, but here’s how you can help us get off to a great start:

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• Go through everything. That means closets, attics, garages, basements—anywhere there might be belongings. Decide what to keep and what to sell.
   

• Clearly mark what’s not for sale. Items you want to keep should be removed from the house before we begin setup—or set aside and labeled if that’s not possible.
   

• Gather manuals or documentation. Professional appraisals, receipts, instruction booklets or warranties can help boost value.
   

• Remove personal items. Think: family photos, private documents, credit cards and checkbooks, your kid’s macaroni art. We’ll keep an eye out for them, too—but only you know what’s sentimental.
   

• Declutter. Toss the obvious—items that are torn, stained, or broken. Items that are leaking, missing pieces, pests have gotten into, outdated papers and magazines, etc. We’ll take it from there.

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Should I be present at the sale?

 

No. Estate sales can be emotional, and buyers tend to be uncomfortable negotiating if the owner is present. It’s better for you—and your bottom line—if we handle things on your behalf.

 

How much does it cost to run an estate sale?

 

There’s no upfront fee. We’re paid a percentage of the total sales—that’s it.
If extensive cleaning is needed in order to stage the sale, or professional movers are necessary to relocate items prior to the sale, we’ll discuss that clearly up front, with a not-to-exceed quote written into your one-page contract. No surprises, no fine print.

 

What Happens After the Sale?

 

Once the sale wraps up, you have a few options for any unsold items. Some owners choose to keep them, while others prefer to donate. If you’d like to donate, we’re happy to help coordinate a pick-up with a local charity.

 

After donations are handled, the home will need a final cleanout. If you’d like, we can recommend trusted broom-clean services to help with the job. You’ll hire them directly, but we’re happy to point you in the right direction and make the process easy.

We’ll send your payment and receipts for everything sold—typically within two weeks.

Have a question we didn’t cover? Reach out—we’re happy to talk it through. At Burgess Estate Sales, your peace of mind is our priority.