Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an estate sale?
It is a type of sale to liquidate the majority of items in a home. An estate sale company is team of professionals who research prices, organize items, and advertise to bring customers to your sale. Do you require any special insurance from us?
We do require you to have homeowner’s insurance on your house from the time the contract is signed until after the sale is completed. |
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If the executor lives out of state, can you still manage the estate sale?
Absolutely! We handle everything through email, faxes and registered mail. This is a very easy process, and if you're working with a local realtor or with a lawyer we can go through them as well.
Absolutely! We handle everything through email, faxes and registered mail. This is a very easy process, and if you're working with a local realtor or with a lawyer we can go through them as well.
Who pays for advertising?
Generally, our clients take on these costs. Costs of advertising may also be deducted from the proceeds of the sale.
Generally, our clients take on these costs. Costs of advertising may also be deducted from the proceeds of the sale.
Do you have any hidden fees?
Any fees would be as follows: our commission, eBay fees, credit card machine fees, and clean-out fees. Not all fees are applicable to every sale.
Any fees would be as follows: our commission, eBay fees, credit card machine fees, and clean-out fees. Not all fees are applicable to every sale.
What happens if I change my mind and want to cancel the sale?
Our Sale Manager will keep a record of the hours worked for your sale. If at any point you decide you no longer want to have an estate sale we will bill you for hours worked up to that point.
Our Sale Manager will keep a record of the hours worked for your sale. If at any point you decide you no longer want to have an estate sale we will bill you for hours worked up to that point.
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Should we list the house for sale before or after my estate sale happens?
We recommend listing the house on the market shortly before the sale. Your realtor can make information flyers available during the sale. The house is vacant. When do you advertise the address?
We do not release the address online until a day or two before the sale. We take down the lawn sign in front of the house in the evening of each sale day. We will never put a picture of the house online. Although security of your home and valuables are not our legal responsibility, they are still important to us, and we take steps to help protect those. |
Do you sell cars or other larger items?
Sure! We'll sell anything. Cars, trailers, snowmobiles and other such items will be posted on Craigslist and Ebay at the beginning of your sale.
Sure! We'll sell anything. Cars, trailers, snowmobiles and other such items will be posted on Craigslist and Ebay at the beginning of your sale.
Are there any items you don't sell?
At this point we are not equipped to handle the proper care and placing of pets. We cannot legally sell alcohol. Other than animals and alcohol, we sell nearly anything and everything. If we find something at your sale that we cannot sell, we will do our best to recommend someone who may be able to help you.
At this point we are not equipped to handle the proper care and placing of pets. We cannot legally sell alcohol. Other than animals and alcohol, we sell nearly anything and everything. If we find something at your sale that we cannot sell, we will do our best to recommend someone who may be able to help you.
Do you handle hoarder houses?
Yes, we are absolutely willing to do a sale for these houses. However, one thing to remember is that the house did not get the way it is in just a month or two. In order for it to go away it has to be taken care of slowly and properly. This takes time. Hoarder clients need to have patience and allow us the time we need to properly liquidate the items.
Yes, we are absolutely willing to do a sale for these houses. However, one thing to remember is that the house did not get the way it is in just a month or two. In order for it to go away it has to be taken care of slowly and properly. This takes time. Hoarder clients need to have patience and allow us the time we need to properly liquidate the items.
What types of payment do you accept at a sale?
We accept credit cards, debit cards and cash. Personal checks are accepted for amounts less than $100.
We accept credit cards, debit cards and cash. Personal checks are accepted for amounts less than $100.
How many employees will be at a sale?
The number of staff we have at your sale will depend on the size of the house. There will be enough personnel to efficiently run the sale and to assist customers in carrying bags or items to a vehicle if they need help.
The number of staff we have at your sale will depend on the size of the house. There will be enough personnel to efficiently run the sale and to assist customers in carrying bags or items to a vehicle if they need help.
Can family members be present at my estate sale?
We advise against the family being present at the sale. Family members are welcome to stop in and see how things are going, but this is not recommended. Being present can be emotionally difficult for them. A family presence can also cause customers to be uncomfortable and not want to buy items. It is similar to a family being home during the showing of a house for sale—an awkward situation, and less than ideal for successful sales.
We advise against the family being present at the sale. Family members are welcome to stop in and see how things are going, but this is not recommended. Being present can be emotionally difficult for them. A family presence can also cause customers to be uncomfortable and not want to buy items. It is similar to a family being home during the showing of a house for sale—an awkward situation, and less than ideal for successful sales.
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What is your discounting schedule during the sale?
With the owner's permission, we do go half off or more on the second (or final) day of the sale, except on items with pre-agreed minimum prices. We try to build negotiating room into the price. My job is to get you the most money possible for your items while at the same time making sure the customer is happy with their purchase and wants to come back to future sales. |
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What happens with the more expensive items during the sale?
During the sale more expensive items will be displayed near the cash table. Our Remarkable Employees are instructed carefully on how to keep these items safe.
During the sale more expensive items will be displayed near the cash table. Our Remarkable Employees are instructed carefully on how to keep these items safe.
What happens with the leftover, unsold items?
We normally sell 90% of what is in the sale. At the end of the sale we offer a clean-out service. We offer this as a separate service, because not all clients want or need the clean-out. Our clean-out service means: We donate whatever is left and leave the house broom-clean. If there is enough left in the house we can also connect you to liquidators who can purchase the remaining items in bulk.
We normally sell 90% of what is in the sale. At the end of the sale we offer a clean-out service. We offer this as a separate service, because not all clients want or need the clean-out. Our clean-out service means: We donate whatever is left and leave the house broom-clean. If there is enough left in the house we can also connect you to liquidators who can purchase the remaining items in bulk.
Will we get receipts of items sold?
Only upon specific request, pre-agreed upon at the contract signing. We always have copies of receipts for our records, but if you would like a copy you will need to specifically arrange this with us.
Only upon specific request, pre-agreed upon at the contract signing. We always have copies of receipts for our records, but if you would like a copy you will need to specifically arrange this with us.
