Where to start?

Most people will downsize just once in their lifetime. It can be confusing and overwhelming. 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 consider an estate sale. An estate or downsizing process can occur in a variety of ways. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Some items may do best at an estate sale, auction, on-line sale, or should be appropriately consigned elsewhere. We can explain and help you explore these options. At this first stage, it is extremely important that you wait for us to evaluate your estate before allowing friends/move managers/downsizers to convince you to donate, sell, or send items to auction. Do not start tossing items.

A few thoughts regarding Auctions:

• BE CAREFUL. Some move managers, downsizers, or moving company representatives will suggest that you send all your items to auction. Don’t do this before having your estate evaluated. 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.

• if you send too many items, you risk having your valuables grouped into large lots with better items getting lost in the shuffle

• Some items should never go to auction.

• Remember that an auction is an auction and there is never a guaranteed outcome. In many instances (not all), it’s better to try to sell your items at an estate sale with a fair market price prior to sending them to auction.

A few thoughts about 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. If you choose to use a mover or 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. If you decide to have a picker come into your estate, call us and we will help you negotiate and receive a fair price for your pieces. Movers/downsizers often have no idea regarding values. 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!

closing thoughts

• 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.