Where to start?

Most people will downsize just once in their lifetime. It can be confusing and overwhelming, but we can help. Oftentimes, an estate sale/auction combination is the most profitable way to liquidate or downsize an estate. If you have a super tiny estate, you may want to consider donating/selling just a few items. If you have anything larger than a tiny estate, and the conditions are appropriate, you should have an estate sale.

Explore all your options and more importantly wait for us to evaluate your estate before allowing friends/move managers/downsizers to convince you to donate, sell, or send items to auction.

A few thoughts regarding Auctions - The key with auctions is that you don’t want to spend more money paying a mover to take your items to auction than the proceeds will yield in the end. Our team has been going to auctions for 20+ years, and we know what sells. We can guide you and help you select items to go to auction that we believe will sell well. But, in the end, it’s always key to remember that an auction is an auction and there is never a guaranteed outcome. In many instances, it’s better to try to sell your items at an estate sale with a fixed price prior to sending them to auction. Some downsizers just move everything to auction, but there are problems this approach, (a) you may pay more to move your items than your items are worth (b) you don’t want your valuables grouped into large lots with better items getting lost in the shuffle and (c) some items should never go to auction.

Estate Pickers - Never, EVER allow pickers into your home. They will buy your best items for a fraction of the value. Pickers will destroy the marketability and value of your estate. Especially, NEVER EVER allow a picker to buy all your fine or costume jewelry. THIS IS OF NO BENEFIT TO YOU. In Montgomery County MD (and some other counties too) business buyers of precious metals need to have a precious metals license. A moving representative should never recommend someone who does not have this license. If you choose to use a downsizer and one shows up at your door with an estate picker, especially at your first meeting, be very concerned. Your downsizer should work for YOU AND YOUR best interests, and a picker is rarely in your best interest. We can guide you and help you liquidate your belongings with the most profitable outcome. We keep your best interests at the top of our list. You will thank us!

Recap…

• Do not donate or trash ANYTHING. Items you see as worthless could be the most valuable items in your sale. Donations will be handled at the end. This is by far one of the most common error made by families.

• Moving companies representatives/downsizers are often not knowledgeable enough to negotiate the sale of your valuables. Additionally, most are unable to assess if the buyers they bring in are making fair offers. Downsizers/Movers are great; ask them to coordinate your move, determine what you will keep, and help with your new home set up. They should NOT be selling/keeping/giving away your items. Leave the items you want to sell and donate to us. This is our specialty, and this is where we shine.

• Never, EVER allow estate "pickers" into your home in advance. They may be likeable; they may be recommended, but it is a bad idea. They destroy the marketability of your estate. You may believe you're getting a great deal, but this is highly unlikely. Selling to a picker in advance, may come at a great cost to the value of your estate. Always allow us to negotiate and get top dollar for your items. Say “NO” to pickers.

• Also, no yard sales, garage sales or allowing any other person in to buy your items. Remember, we are paid on a commission basis, so we have incentive to get you the most that we can. In the end, we pay for ourselves.