How to Have A Successful Estate Sale
The term “estate sale” often refers to the sale of a passed family member’s belongings, but they can also occur for downsizing or relocation purposes. Estate sales are more formal than garage, yard, or moving sales. They typically involve selling a large portion of household items, from small knick-knacks and kitchenware to larger furniture pieces. Curating an estate sale for yourself or due to the loss of a loved one can be one of the most overwhelming and hardest experiences known to man. We hope this resource helps ease some of that burden. We are always here for you if you need help moving in the right direction.
Organize & Inventory
With an estate sale, you’re likely dealing with a ton of personal items, and you may also be coordinating with multiple heirs or executors. To avoid confusion and streamline the process, I recommend organizing items into clear categories. Make an inventory list if possible, which can help keep track of what’s been sold or ensure important items aren’t mistakenly put up for sale. On this inventory list I would clearly mark which items are wanted by each family member. It would be best if each family member picks up the items they wish before the estate sale. If that’s not possible, move those items to a safe space where buyers aren’t able to access to avoid an accidental sale.
You would be amazed at what people will purchase at an estate sale. So long as room allows for it I generally recommend waiting to do large donation runs until after your estate sale. Imagine someone comes through your estate sale and buys a stack of scrapbooking paper for $3, now you don’t have to pack up and transfer that stack to donate it. By donating after your estate sale you gain the slight edge and end up saving time and energy.
When displaying items, think of it like setting up a store. Clean and neatly arrange the items. Even a quick dusting can make a big difference in presentation and appeal to buyers.
Suggested categories:
- Kitchen items & small appliances: Keep them in the kitchen or another designated area. If selling items stored in cupboards, place clear signs on the cabinets to indicate which ones are open for browsing. If you’re selling the house after in as is condition, I don’t recommend selling large appliances like fridges and stoves as those could be of more benefit to the future home buyer.
- Clothing: Sort by gender, type, and size. For example, group coats, shoes, blouses, pants, and dresses by category and then by size.
- Jewelry: I recommend keeping your jewelry display somewhere close to you so you can keep an on these valuables.
- Craft supplies: Fabric scraps, thread, yarn, scrapbooking paper, and all kinds of crafting supplies will make a local crafter very happy.
- Personal care & hygiene items: These could be placed in a bathroom and might include hair dryers, lotions, soaps, and makeup products.
- Tools & building materials: These are typically best displayed in the garage or yard space. If there’s an exit from the garage, station a family member or friend there to ensure that no items walk away unpaid.
Price Items Clearly & Fairly
Each item should have a clearly visible price. While some shoppers are bargain hunters and don’t shy away from asking for prices and haggling, we’ve found most buyers generally dislike asking for prices or making offers because it could feel a bit awkward. By clearly marking everything, you’ll make the shopping experience smoother and more comfortable for everyone.
For easy labeling, buy ¾ - 1 inch circle labels from a craft or hardware store, or order them online from sites like Amazon. Use these labels to mark each item with its price. Group similar items, such as books or small kitchen gadgets, with a uniform price (e.g., “All books $1”).
If you have jewelry, antiques or other valuables that you’re unsure how to price you may consider having them appraised. I’ve also had success taking a picture of the item and using Google’s image search to find similar items that have sold recently on sites like eBay or Craigslist.
Pick a Date & Time, and Stick to It
Choose a date and time that works for you, and be consistent. A two-day sale is usually more effective than just one, as it allows for more traffic. Consider leaving everything set up and holding it open again the following weekend to capture additional buyers who couldn’t make it to the first sale.
Advertise
Promotion is key to a successful estate sale. Use bright, large signs with thick contrasting lettering to guide people to your location. If you have space on the sign, include cross streets and place signs on major nearby roads to increase traffic.
In addition to physical signs, take advantage of online advertising. Platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp are excellent for reaching local potential buyers. Also, consider using specialized estate sale or garage sale websites such as EstateSales.net or Yard Sale Search.
Always include high-quality photos of the best items in your ads. Also, write a short description of what items you’re offering, especially if there’s anything niche. Examples include: kitchen items, mens clothing, mid century furniture, sewing and scrapbooking supplies. This helps attract serious buyers.
Here are some specific places where I would advertise an estate sale:
- Post your estate sale to local buy/sell platforms like www.Craigslist.com and the OfferUp app
- Post your estate sale to an estate sale specific website like www.EstateSales.net
- Facebook: Here are a couple ways to utilize Facebook for free advertisingsome text
- Post your estate sale on Facebook Market place with a couple photos of the items you’re selling, the location, as well as dates and times. Share that post to your personal facebook page so your friends and family can share or plan to visit.
- Consider posting your estate sale as an event on Facebook and inviting all of your friends. You can change the event settings to be public so your friends can invite others.
- Look for local Facebook groups that geographically target your county, city, or even HOA. These could be garage/yard sale pages, estate sale pages, or even local buy/trade/sell anything groups. Here are some specific examples: Maple Valley GARAGE SALES, Seattle-Renton-Tukwila, Donate, Buy, Sale or trade, or Garage Sale Yard Sales Tacoma WA and Surrounding areas.
- Nextdoor: This is a neighborhood-focused platform where you can post about your sale. If you don’t have access, or are struggling to gain access, consider asking a trusted neighbor to help you post about the estate sale.
- Local newspapers & bulletin boards: Don’t underestimate traditional media and community spaces. Print out a flyer and ask if you can post it at places you frequent like your church, gym, grocery stores, and even your HOA.
Be Ready to Negotiate
Expect buyers to negotiate, but be clear about your bottom line. While some shoppers enjoy haggling, others might shy away if the process feels uncomfortable or unclear. Be polite but firm in your negotiations.
Accept Multiple Forms of Payment
These days, many people prefer to pay with methods other than cash. Consider accepting payments via credit cards, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to make it easier for buyers. There are small, mobile card readers you can purchase for a nominal fee, like Square or PayPal’s readers.
Does Hiring A Professional Make Sense?
I know first hand how overwhelming it can be to manage an estate sale on your own. If you feel the process is too much or too emotional, hiring a professional estate sale company might be worth considering. They can handle the pricing, organization, and sale logistics, ensuring you get the best value for your items while relieving the stress. Many Estate Salers are also paid by collecting a percentage of sales so you may not have to worry about paying them out of pocket.
We’ve been impressed by Adam’s Northwest Estate Sales and Auctions. They’re a trusted company covering areas from Shoreline and Bothell down to Tacoma, Yelm, and even out to Bremerton. They have excellent reviews and can handle everything for you.
Holding an estate sale can be an emotional process, especially when dealing with a loved one’s belongings. However, with thoughtful preparation, organization, and advertising, you can ensure a smooth and successful sale.
Authored by Mariah Bigbee
