How to Get The Most Out of Your Estate Liquidation
Sanford & Son Estate Specialists are one of Central Maryland's most trusted names in cleanouts and estate liquidations.
We understand how organizing, sorting, selling and hauling away a household's contents turns into an overwhelming process. Selling estate property isn't the same as running a garage sale — think of an estate sale as a garage sale on steroids. Here are our tips for holding a successful Maryland estate sale.
Take Inventory
Walk through the entire home and list every item that will go on sale and every item that won't. Split the inventory into categories and note each item's condition. This helps with researching prices and deciding where things will be placed during the sale.
Clean and Fix
A quick dusting or a tightening-up often makes the difference between an item nobody wants and one worth a few dollars.
Price Items
Research through online searches and catalog markups, and consider a second opinion from an antique dealer. Remember that shoppers come to an estate sale looking for a deal. If you're having trouble settling on a number, price a little high — most shoppers will try to talk you down anyway.
Mark or Remove Off-Limit Items
A "Sold" sign isn't always enough to keep bargain hunters from trying to negotiate. Once something is sold, it's often better to move it out of sight so you don't waste time haggling over an item that's no longer available.
Security
Every entrance and exit should be monitored so you know who is coming and going. With helpers watching the doors, the tables, and the sold items, there's far less risk of items walking off or price tags being switched. Keep cash in a secure lockbox under constant supervision.
Photograph Items
Good photos of your best items attract people. Large furniture, appliances, antiques, and sports memorabilia reliably spark interest. Make sure the photos are well lit and appealing.
Advertise
Flyers and local ads around town and in the newspaper, at least a week before the sale, work well. Social media posts and Craigslist ads work too. Include plenty of pictures so people can see what they'll find.
Plan for Leftovers
There's a good chance not everything sells. If you expect leftovers and plan to donate them, contact local donation centers in advance to learn their policies on large-item donations. And never leave large piles of garbage or recycling at the curb without checking with your local waste management provider first.
When it comes to cleanout services, Sanford & Son Estate Specialists have been serving all of Central Maryland since 2016. When you need exceptional service, we're the professionals to call — 443-223-8036, open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.