Services

Our estate sale process always begins with a risk-free initial meeting and walk-through of the house. In most cases, our clients have never conducted an estate sale before. The initial meeting gives us the opportunity to describe how the whole estate sale process works.

During the initial meeting, we get an understanding of the items our client intends to sell, the layout of the house, and whether there are potential issues that must be addressed (like parking or areas of the house that are off-limits).

Both we and the client are evaluating the potential fit—the estate sale business is built on trust and it is critical that each side has confidence in the other for the sale to be successful.

When the client is ready to proceed, we enter into an estate sale contract where we agree in writing on the goals, activities, and responsibilities of each party. We use the information collected to create a planning document for the sale.

At this time, we have a detailed discussion with the client of the factors necessary to create a good outcome. Topics include:

Goals
We endeavor to clarify the specific goals of our client and evaluate the alternatives available to achieve and surpass expectations.
Process
We address the timing and staffing requirements necessary to achieve the goals. At this time we determine the resources needed to stage, price, and sell the merchandise
Marketing
Advertising is key to selling the items in the house. We have a proven advertising system that works. Sometimes, there are special marketing needs for unique or rare items.
Client Responsibilities
There are a few tasks we need the client to manage:Determine which items to keep and which to sell.
Remove or hide items that are not for sale.
Add items from storage and/or other family members if desired.
Ensure facilities (electricity, A/C or Heat, restrooms, running water) are connected.
Notify HOA and/or neighborhood watch (if applicable).
Special requirements and activities that are unique to the sale are noted and recorded to ensure our mutual success.

All closets, pantries, drawers, nooks, and crannies are opened and inspected. We will even climb up into the attic! This inspection gives us a thorough understanding of the items in the house. Often, we find items the home-owner had forgotten or did not even know about.

It is at this time that we must know the following:

• Items that are not for sale,
• Items you intend to keep,
• Items for which a reserve is required,
• Parts of the house that are off-limits,
• Restroom availability for our staff.

Prior to the sale, typically on Monday and Tuesday of the week of the sale, our staging team descends on our client’s house to stage, price, and photograph the merchandise in the house. This intensive process begins with converting the house from a residence to retail-style store.

Our team empties out cabinets, drawers, attics, and so on. We unpack and sort items, then gather like-products together and display them on tables, clothing racks, jewelry trays, and countertops.

We individually hand-price most of the items in the house. Pricing is based upon our experience, our internal pricing database, and online resources such as eBay and Worthpoint.

We set up an office area which serves as the checkout counter. We are able to convert a client’s home into a boutique-like store.

We actively market and advertise each estate sale through several channels including targeted email lists, our website, other industry websites, social media, and signage.

Our Website
Details of each estate sale (address, description, and photos of the items available) are published to our web site. Where applicable, we provide textual descriptions of the items available to increase internet search-engine awareness. We strive to make certain our web site and its content are rapidly indexed by Google, Bing, and other relevant search engines in a timely fashion.
Email to our Highly-Targeted Lists
Email shots are sent to our subscription list of over 9,000+ shoppers informing them of the sale. Links are included to a photo gallery of the items available (typically over 300 photos). Photographs help shoppers determine the nature of items at the sale, their quality, and condition.
Internet Advertising
We advertise on industry websites reach interested estate sale shoppers. These websites serve as national listing services where individuals find local, regional, and national estate sales. The advertisements we place are included in daily emails these sites circulate. It’s not uncommon for us to sell items to shoppers nationwide.
Social Media Advertising
Social media outlets (Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, NextDoor, and Twitter) are targeted with representative pictures of the estate sale. We use the different platforms to target certain demographic profiles and generate interest in specific items.
Signage
Of course we don’t forget about physical marketing either! We place directional signs at key street crossings throughout the neighborhood. Neighbors are an important constituent at each sale

The estate sale usually runs three days; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; starting promptly at 9:00AM each day.

Each sale is staffed with experienced employees who provide sale management, customer service, and security.

At the end of each day, the sales manager apprises the client of the daily sales results along with any changes to our marketing and execution strategies based on the course of the sale so far.

Prices are discounted after the first day to encourage shoppers to buy and to ensure we clear the home as much as possible.

Once an estate sale is complete, there are usually a few things remaining to accomplish.

We don’t want you to feel as if you are on your own. We are here to help in any way we can.

Scheduling and Overseeing Charity Pickups
We typically sell over 80% of the contents of our clients’ homes. However, some items just don’t sell. We can assist with a charity donation.