So what is an estate sale, anyway?
An estate sale is one where the bulk of the possessions of a person or household are being sold off, usually following the death of the owner. In some cases, it can be to help transition an older person to a smaller retirement home by downsizing their belongings. The family will likely have removed particular items of worth or sentimental value, but everything else from tables to toothpaste will be sold off.
So, like a garage sale?
No. It really bugs me when people advertise their yard sale as an estate sale. It really really bothers me when it’s clear they think they are rich, and therefore they have an estate, and therefore their yard sale is an estate sale.
What are prices like at an estate sale?
It depends quite a bit. Some families just want to empty the house, and things will be priced low to move. Other families are keen to make top dollar, even if it means they’ll have a lot unsold that they will have to store (or toss in the dumpster). Estate sales usually last more than one day, and the sellers commonly offer discounts on the second and later days. Often something like half off on the last day of the sale.
Is there haggling?
Yes, that’s pretty common. But it will vary from seller to seller. You’re in a much better haggling position if you’re buying ten things than if you just want one thing.
Who runs the estate sale?
While some of them are run by the families themselves, more frequently professionals handle the sale for a fee and/or commission on the revenue. If you start going to a lot of estate sales, you’ll come to know the companies and teams that handle your neck of the woods.
How do you find estate sales?
This has become quite easy. My main source is estatesales.net where you can search for estate sales near you. It’s become an invaluable resource. It’s safe to say that if there were no estatesales.net, there would be no It Came from the Estate Sale.