Everything You Need to Know About Estate Sales

If you’re looking to liquidate your assets after the passing of a family member or to downsize your home, an estate sale may be the perfect solution.

Estate sales can be a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money. However, they can also be stressful and overwhelming, filled with questions such as “How do I begin?” and “What do estate sale companies charge?”. Luckily, Yellow Bird Antiques and Interiors is here to help. Here’s what you need to know about estate sales before getting started.

 

What is an Estate Sale?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand what an estate sale actually is. An estate sale is typically held when someone is moving, downsizing, or dealing with the death of a loved one. During an estate sale, all of the belongings in the home are sold – from furniture and appliances to clothes and knick-knacks. In most cases, everything must go!

One thing to keep in mind is that estate sales are not garage sales. Estate sales are usually handled by professional companies, like Yellow Bird, who are experienced in pricing and selling items.

If you do decide to go ahead with an estate sale, the next step is to find a reputable company to help you. When choosing an estate sale company, it’s important to do your research. There are many companies out there, so you’ll want to be sure to choose one that is reputable and has experience.

One way to research a company is to read online reviews. This can give you a good idea of what others have thought about their experience with the company. You can also ask family and friends if they have any recommendations.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, be sure to ask each company about their fees and charges. Some companies charge an upfront fee while others take a commission on the total sales. Be sure to get all the details in writing so there are no surprises later on.

This is where Yellow Bird comes in. We are a professional estate sale company that can help you with everything from start to finish. We will work with you to sort through your items, determine what is worth selling, and handle all of the details of the sale itself.

 

How Does an Estate Sale Work?

The first step is to contact a professional estate sale company. They’ll come to your home and assess your belongings to determine what is appropriate for sale. Once the agents have determined what can be sold, the process of sorting, pricing, and displaying the items will begin!

A professional and licensed estate sale team will also take care of advertising the sale and working with any customers on the day of the sale. There are six important steps professionals use to help you maximize your profits and have a successful estate sale.

• Organize your items: The first step is to start going through all of your belongings and decide what you want to keep, what you want to sell, and what you want to donate or throw away. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try dividing your belongings into four categories: keep, sell, donate, and trash.
• Create appealing displays: To fully showcase the features and appeal of each of your items for sale, it’s always best to go for a designer-quality boutique-style merchandising and display. Yellow Bird agents can maximize your space by arranging your furniture in a way that provides a smooth shopping flow and pathway for interested buyers.
• Research on item values: A knowledgeable team can help you put the right price on each of your articles by utilizing current fair market pricing and researching unique, high-value items.
• Advertise your catalog: Advertising your estate sale to buyers in the area is crucial to ensure its success.
• Sale day: Sale day is when the magic happens. It is the culminating part of the whole process where the importance of research, planning, and sorting becomes more evident.
• Clear out your property: Once the estate sale is done, you would have to decide what to do with the remaining items in your property. Our team will gladly discuss the options with you and help you decide on the best one.

 

What are the Benefits of an Estate Sale?

There are many benefits to having an estate sale, both financially and emotionally. First and foremost, you will be able to get rid of items you no longer need or want. This can be a huge relief, especially if you’re downsizing or moving. It can be difficult to part with sentimental items, but remember that someone else may be able to get use and enjoyment out of them.

In addition, you can make some money from your estate sale. If you have valuable items, like antiques or collectibles, you could stand to make a decent amount of money. Even if you don’t have any high-end items, selling your unwanted belongings can still put some extra cash in your pocket.

Finally, having an estate sale can be cathartic. After the death of a loved one, going through their belongings can be therapeutic. It can help you to say goodbye and move on. If you’re considering having an estate sale, keep Yellow Bird in mind. We are the leading estate sale company in the area and can help you through every step of the process.

 

What Do Estate Sale Companies Charge?

Estate sale companies typically charge a commission on the total sales generated from the estate sale. The commission is typically a percentage of the total sales and can range from 10-40%. Some companies may also charge an upfront fee, which can be a flat rate or a percentage of the estimated value of the estate. Before hiring an estate sale company, it’s important to ask about all fees and commissions so there are no surprises.

 

Your Estate Sale and Auction Experts in Georgia

At Yellow Bird Antiques and Interiors, we understand that dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult enough without having to worry about organizing an estate sale. That’s why we offer compassionate and professional services to help ease the burden.

We will first meet with you to assess your needs and determine what type of sale would be best for your situation. Once we have a plan in place, we will take care of all the details, including advertising, pricing, and set-up. On the day of the sale, our team will be on-hand to answer any questions and help buyers with their purchases.

If you are interested in learning more about our Alpharetta estate sales, please contact us today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.