Preparing for an Estate Clean Out and Sale
Estate clean outs and estate sales go hand in hand and are often tied to more emotions and family stress than anyone likes to talk about. It’s a daunting task with just the logistics, let alone the emotional challenges that come along with it.
Below are top tips from estate sales experts and estate clean out professionals.
1. Sort Items
Separate items that have sentimental value. Separate items that you want to sell. Separate items that you are going to donate and separate items that are straight up ready for junk removal. Items with sentimental value could be anything but include pictures and unique heirlooms. Items of potential value may have to be evaluated by an expert or set at a minimum price you feel they are worth.
2. Label Items
Everything should have its own label indicating a sales price if it is to be sold, a note for donation, a marking for the junk removal guys, and a note who an item may have been promised to.
3. Organize Everything
Stage items in the home by groups. Items like cookware should be together. Linens, china, and tools should be grouped together. Organizing by category will make it easier for people walking through.
4. Get the Word Out
This is the most important part of the process. Like real estate agents do, post signs at nearby cross streets and on telephone poles if allowed in your town letting everyone know the location, date and time. Write largely and time your sale with possible nearby open houses.
Advertise in local newspapers, on websites, and especially on Facebook groups. If your inventory is substantial, you may benefit from a quick Facebook Page and a “boosted” post for a few days to residents in your zip code. Pictures added to your Facebook post would further interest people.
5. Clean Up
After the estate sale you will likely have items left over. At this point, it may be time to contact an estate sale clean out company. An experienced company will know what they can donate (providing you with a tax-deductible receipt), recycle, sell through their channels, or what needs to go to the dump.
Preparation is the key to a successful estate sale and the Junk-A-Haulics will be there to help you remove your unwanted items. Call us today to schedule your estate sale clean out.