Whether the goal is to downsize or get a home ready to put up for sale, an estate sale can help generate revenue and clear the possessions from a home. Not every estate sale has to take place at a sprawling mansion or be generated by a celebrity who is eager to cash in on their fame. Any homeowner can play host to these types of property clearing sales. Estate sales are also different from garage sales in many ways that can be beneficial for the homeowner.
1. Less Labor
A garage sale isn’t just about throwing open the garage door and putting items on sale. It usually involves bringing those items out of the house and down to the driveway or lawn. That can become a very labor-intensive project especially if you are hoping to sell off pieces of furniture. With an estate sale, nothing has to move from the inside of the house. Prospective buyers can go from room to room where the items are up for sale. Smaller items like books, clothing, toys or other household goods can be brought into any of the “sale rooms” and put on display.
Everything being sold should have a price tag, but that is no guarantee it will be gone at the end of the sale. Whatever hasn’t been sold at the end of a garage sale will have to be brought back into the house. Obviously, that won’t happen with an estate sale because everything can remain right in place.
2. More Attractive to Shoppers
An estate sale implies a broad range of items that will be put up for sale. It can literally be an entire home worth of furnishings and other goods. That makes it more attractive to shoppers. There are many folks who dedicate a good portion of their weekends shopping specifically at estate sales. They might be looking for items for their own homes or businesses. They might also just be curious. Most prospective shoppers would probably check out an estate sale over a garage sale because they know there will be a lot more items to choose from.
3. Ability to Hire Professionals
There are many companies who provide estate sale services. For a commission, these companies will come into the home and handle all aspects of the sale from start to finish. They can help determine the pricing the items and clear the home of whatever is left unsold. Estate sale companies can also provide employees to work the sale and handle all of the transactions. That means that you don’t have to stick around during the sale. That might actually be a better approach especially if you have an emotional attachment to some of the items that are being offered for sale.
When you hire an estate sale company you can also utilize their pay services which can allow shoppers to pay with credit and debit cards. That will provide for more potential sales. Typically, you’ll be given a check within two weeks of the estate sale that reflects your portion of the total proceeds. There are certain estate companies that might also offer consignment sales of certain pieces at their own shops.
4. Multiple Sale Days
Most estate sales take place over two or three days. That allows for more potential buyers to participate in the sales. Because you’re not moving any of the items, you can simply lock up the home at the end of the sale and return the next morning. On the final day of the estate sale, you can offer reduced pricing that will help clear out the possessions.
5. No Rain Delays
A lot of effort can be put into getting all the items ready for a garage sale. That includes posting advertisements online and throughout the neighborhood. Unfortunately, if it rains, all of those efforts will be for nothing. You won’t be able to put anything outside for fear of it getting ruined. Knowing this, most of the prospective buyers will stay away. An estate sale can go on rain or shine. None of the advertisement will be wasted. You might even end up with more shoppers.
