DIY or hire an estate sale company?
An estate sale clears most of a household at once, usually inside the home rather than on the driveway. If you are not sure how it differs from other sales, start with what an estate sale is and the comparison of garage vs. yard vs. estate sale.
Estate sale companies typically take a commission of roughly 25-40% of the gross sales, and in return they handle sorting, pricing, advertising, staffing and cleanup. Running it yourself keeps that money in the family, but it takes real time and several reliable helpers.
- DIY makes sense when the contents are mostly everyday furniture and household goods
- DIY works best when you have a few weeks, local family or friends to help, and access to the house
- Consider a company when there are many high-value pieces, the house is far away, or the deadline is very tight
Sort first, then get valuables appraised
Before anything gets a price tag, let family members walk through and take the items they want to keep. Gather personal documents, photos, financial records and keys, and remove them from the sale area completely.
Set aside anything that could be worth more than it looks, and have it appraised before you price it. A short appraisal fee is cheap compared with selling a valuable piece for a few dollars.
- Jewelry, watches and anything gold or silver
- Original art, signed prints and antique furniture
- Collectibles such as coins, stamps, sports memorabilia, vintage toys and records
- Legal papers, titles, tax records and photos, which should never go on the sale floor
Pricing a whole house
Pricing hundreds of items is the biggest job, so work room by room and tag everything before the sale opens. Price everyday goods to sell, usually well below retail, and keep appraised items at their researched value. The pricing guide has practical starting points by category.
Use clear tags with round numbers, and keep a written list of the larger pieces and their prices so the cashier can check anything that loses its tag. Decide in advance how much room you will leave to negotiate on the first day.
Running the sale day
Estate sales draw early crowds, and dealers often line up before opening. Plan how people will enter, where they will pay and which parts of the house are open. Review these safety tips with your helpers before the doors open.
- Use a sign-in sheet or hand out numbers so early arrivals enter in order
- Limit how many shoppers are inside at once if the house is small
- Have one cashier at one checkout spot, with a cash box that never leaves their sight
- Close off and lock rooms that are not part of the sale
- Put a helper in every open room to answer questions and keep an eye on small items
Advertise the sale
Advertise about a week ahead with the address, dates, hours and the standout categories, such as furniture, tools, kitchenware or collectibles. Clear photos of the best pieces bring in serious buyers, and mentioning whether you take cards or digital payments helps too.
Post your sale free so shoppers browsing estate sales near you can find it, and put up directional signs on the morning of the sale.
The last day and the leftovers
Most estate sales run two or three days. On the final day, cut prices on almost everything, often to half price, and offer bundle deals on smaller goods. Keep appraised valuables at a fair price instead of letting them go for very little.
Plan ahead for whatever remains. Some dealers will make a buyout offer for the leftover contents, and charities may pick up usable furniture and household goods. The guide on what to do with leftovers covers donation, resale and disposal options.
- Final day: half-price or bundle pricing on most items
- After the sale: ask for a buyout offer on what is left
- Then: arrange a donation pickup and dispose of the rest responsibly
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company to run an estate sale?
No. You can run an estate sale yourself if you have time, a few reliable helpers and mostly everyday household goods. A company may be worth its commission, often around 25-40%, if there are many valuable items or you cannot be at the house.
How do you price items for an estate sale?
Have jewelry, art and collectibles appraised first, then price everyday items to sell, usually well below retail. Tag everything room by room before the sale and keep a list of larger pieces and their prices for the cashier.
What happens to items that don't sell at an estate sale?
Most sellers cut prices on the last day, then ask a dealer for a buyout offer on what remains. Anything left after that can be donated to a charity that offers pickup or disposed of responsibly.