Photo grid | Instragram @theeperfect_sale
Gone are the days of estate sales being only in large homes, only made up of fancy furniture, and only from those who have passed away. Nowadays an estate sale can take place in various settings - whether at a house, online, or in a warehouse space. And they aren’t just for the bougie, offering items from everyday modern to high-priced antiques. Anyone looking to downsize, declutter, or liquidate can turn to professional sales management.
Just like real estate transactions, estate sales have two sides; you’re either a buyer or a seller. Take a peek below and learn what to expect from both sides and where to find the team that is going to take care of you and your belongings.
What to expect on the seller's side
When using an Estate Sale company on the seller's side, an experienced team heads to your property to assess your items. Typically these consultations are free. Once you agree on a sale strategy they start getting to work by organizing and price items. If you have valuables or antiques, they use their expertise or connections to ensure you get the best value. Depending on the volume of items, your sale may be one day or over multiple weekends. Once the sale date is determined, they work their magic to create buzz by advertising on social media and marketing websites that target an audience ready to shop! They run the entire process so you don’t need to lift a finger. In fact, most companies prefer you aren’t on the property during the sale as it may bring up emotions. Many estate teams even manage all aspects, from set up to removal, leaving you with a home that is clutter-free and cash in your pocket!
Another avenue to consider is an auction company. You can choose consignment, where you make a portion of the sale once the items have sold or a “flat fee buy out” where you’d receive an immediate payout. In either case, they usually cart the items to their warehouse or retail space and run the sales from there.
Photos L to R | Instagram @jeffery_estate_sales, @theeperfect_sale, @salesbyhelen
What to expect on the buyer side
As a buyer for in-person sales, you can expect to line up early for the crème de la crème, all neatly organized and priced clearly. Most companies are firm on pricing. Remember, this isn’t a flea market or yard sale. There are occasions, however, where you can opt to roll in while the sale is winding down in hopes of taking advantage of end-of-the-day discount pricing.
Note there is often a minimum you must spend to qualify for an auction. In addition, expect to pay sales tax and a percentage of the final sale to the auction house that is hosting. Some have the ability to ship, but the majority are pick-up only. They have specific hours for pick up, and fees for storing longer. Be sure to read through the fine print before hitting that bid button!
You can often find previews of both in-person and virtual sales online. In person sales usually have pictures only and pricing is under wraps until you arrive. Checking out the online previews comes with a warning… you may go down a very deep rabbit hole of things you didn’t know you needed (did someone say a vintage cat band figurine set?? Yes please!) The more sales you go to, the more you’ll find which estate sale teams you prefer based on pricing and selection..
How to find who’s right for you
Don’t be shy. Pick up the phone and call one of the businesses below. Most of us don’t have an estate sale more than once, so the teams that manage them are used to answering each and every question that goes into preparing, organizing, pricing, and hosting such an event. Here are some questions that may help you uncover which organization is perfect for you.
What’s your typical client base (large estates, small households, specific item types)?
Do you have any specialized training or certifications related to estate sales?
What marketing channels do you use to advertise estate sales (online platforms, print ads, social media)?
Do you have a pre-existing client list or network of potential buyers?
What’s your typical commission rate for an estate sale?
How do you determine pricing for items in an estate?
How do you communicate with clients throughout the estate sale process?
How do you identify and handle valuable items like jewelry, artwork, or antiques?
How do you organize and stage an estate sale to maximize buyer interest?
What’s your process for managing the sale day, including cashier operations and item removal?
How do you handle leftover items after the sale?
Do you have liability insurance to cover potential damages during the sale?
Photos| Instagram @gunningandcompanyestatesales
Get Selling (and Shopping!)
Here are a few local estate sale teams to look into no matter what side of the sale you are on.
Sales by Helen | You may have seen these guys pop up on your IG feed (and if not, go hit that follow button!). They have fabulous sales all over the Main Line area. They may not have the cheapest pricing, but they have great quality items that make the hunt worth it!
Hydrangeas Estate Sales | From small homes to mansions, they’re completely turnkey! “Many clients find this a relief! We can sell the items of the home, we can book donation pickup, clean-out, movers, and even a house cleaning crew”. Serving Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh Counties and the Main Line. They also support areas of NJ all of DE.
Gunning & Company | Family-run, they service Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding counties. They’ve been in business for over 20 years and specialize in moving, downsizing, estate, and liquidation sales of any size. “From researching value, pricing, staging, and holding the sale – every detail is taken care of – all with your objective in mind”.
Jeffers Estate Sales | These guys have an excellent FAQ page that work you through some of their most common questions with a sense of humor. They too provide the full service from the very first free consultation to the last broom sweep. Covering Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Lehigh and Philadelphia counties.
Thee Perfect Sale | Moving sales are becoming more popular “50% of our clients are entering a new chapter of their life; a new job in a different state, downsizing with the kids out of the house, or moving to a new neighborhood with a different style”. Bring what you like with you and this team will take care of the rest.
Briggs Auction | An auction house located about 45 minutes from Philly. In businesses for generations, four to be exact. They have easy pickup options as well as shipping. FAQs for buyers and sellers are clear, and they are ready to take your additional questions. They have an active IG that highlights all their items and happenings behind the scenes.
There are websites where estate sale teams and auction houses advertise. They all work similarly - pick your location and and search words for the type of sale or items you’re looking. Different sellers advertise on different sites, so, although you may encounter some overlap, it’s good to do a search on each. This can also be a good tool to gauge who you may want to use for your sale. Check out the hosts and the type of items they have listed to help narrow down your list of who to call.
Photos| Instagram @briggsauction
Here’s to a clean house
The greatest advantage of working with one of the estate sale companies listed above is that it takes the burden off your shoulders—allowing you to avoid the stress and complexity of managing the sale yourself. Not only will you be left with a streamlined, hassle-free process, but you'll also have a home that’s perfectly prepared to hit the market. And that's when you can call us to help you take the next step!
We made a list and checked it twice - local shops, makers, and artists, naughty and nice! PHG is here to help you find gifts for even the most difficult person on your list.