An estate sale can be an effective way to clear a house full of possessions, but it’s important to understand how the process works to minimize financial and emotional costs.
An estate sale sounds like a big deal—and it often is. While these sales are typically held by family members following a loved one’s death, they can also be opportunities to downsize your living space and maximize the value of belongings you no longer need.
Anyone considering an estate sale essentially has two choices: hire a professional or do it yourself. However, selling what is often a lifetime’s worth of possessions can be a daunting task, fraught with emotions and potential family complications.
“An estate sale involves everything in your home that you want to be sold—from knickknacks to valuable artwork,” says George Pizzo, owner and principal at Caring Transitions of Somerset, a New Jersey company specializing in estate sales. “You have to ask yourself: Do I have the time, temperament, and training to do it myself?”
Consider Help from the Pros
Organizing, pricing, cataloging, and displaying your possessions for sale can be a very time-consuming and emotional process. An estate sales professional can help you maximize the value of your assets in a structured, safe, and systematic way. Furthermore, estate sale professionals can coordinate with charities or other organizations to handle any unsold items.
“You might think it’s easy to give a sofa away, but it’s actually not,” say the pros at Caring Transitions. “Having someone manage this process is priceless—especially during stressful times, such as after a loved one’s death.”
An important part of estate sale preparation involves establishing the fair market value for each item. That’s the price at which an item would change hands between informed, willing parties in an open market. “The Caring Transitions appraisers research what comparable items have sold for—not the asking price on the internet, which can be significantly higher than an item’s actual value,” says George.
How Can We Help?
Caring Transitions of Somerset provides comprehensive estate sale services and thoughtful senior relocation management. Your Caring Transitions Advisor can discuss options for your estate plan and offer expertise in specialized areas, such as art or antiques, to help identify significant value the current owner may not be aware of.