How to Prepare for an Estate Sale
Now that you’ve chosen Stark County’s leading estate sale company, you may be wondering what happens next. Kimbell-Brown has been in the tag sale business for more than 40 years, and we get this question a lot. Estate sales are big undertakings. Your 3-day sale is the culmination of several weeks of work. We’re happy to share a few tips.
1. Decide What to Keep
That clay dinosaur that you made in elementary school? The ID bracelet that your girlfriend gave you on your 16th birthday? Your grandmother’s recipe books? The stuffed lion your sister slept with every night? Your dad’s 25th service anniversary clock? Your parents’ wedding album? Those things hold a special place in your heart. If you don’t want to part with something, remove it from the home or place it in a room that can be closed off during the sale. Don’t forget to look under beds, in the attic or in the crawl space.
2. Check with Family Members
You’ve found some family heirlooms to keep. Now give your siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins the same chance. You don’t want your brother showing up at the estate sale and asking why you sold his baseball cards. Give them a chance to find those items that hold memories for them too. There may also be a will that details who gets certain items. Check with your family attorney.
3. Remove Any Personal Items
Everyone has personal documents and items in closets, cabinets and drawers. Removing these from the home or keeping them in a closed-off room removes any possibility of compromising personal information. Gather up any Social Security cards, military documents, medical bills, bank statements, family photos, birth certificates, passports, licenses, tax forms, check stubs, credit card receipts, prescription drugs and any other items that may feature sensitive or personal information.
4. Ask us Before Tossing it Out
We know you want to be helpful by throwing out junk that no one could possibly want. Wait just a second. The old saying could never be truer. One man’s trash really is another man’s treasure. Even items in less-than-perfect condition can be valuable. People collect all sorts of things, from vintage toys and old records to tools and electronics. Let the Kimbell-Brown team guide you. We’ll give you an honest assessment and help ensure that you get the best value for your items.
5. Provide Extra Information
Was the sculpture in the living room created by a well-known artist? How about the antique furniture? Who autographed the baseball in your dad’s office? Do you have any paperwork or knowledge about designer and name-brand items such as jewelry, clothing, rugs or artwork? Knowing this is helpful in determining fair market value and maximizing your profit.
6. Point Out Potential Hazards
Do you know that the step into the garage is tricky? Is there low ductwork in the basement that you always bump your head on or a bedroom door that won’t stay open? Sharing this information will help keep Kimbell-Brown team members and tag sale customers safe in your home.
7. Move Out
The set-up process for an estate sale makes it next to impossible to live in the house. Drawers, cupboards and closets are emptied, beds are used for display and tables are set up in just about every room. The Kimbell-Brown team will turn your home into a small version of a department store.
8. Relax
Your Kimbell-Brown team will treat your home and belongings as if they were our own and will make every effort to maximize your profits and empty your house. And, if you happen to have missed some personal items in a desk drawer, that’s OK. We’ll set them aside and personally deliver them to you. We always have your best interest at heart.
9. Plan a Fun Weekend
In the same way that it is difficult for a real estate agent to sell a home with the owner present, it is a challenge to set up or run a successful estate sale if the owner or other family members are hanging around. It’s a great idea to plan a weekend getaway and let the Kimbell-Brown professionals do the selling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preparing for an estate sale is a significant undertaking, and it's crucial to approach it with care and diligence. The process involves not only working with a reputable estate sale company like Kimbell-Brown but also taking several key steps to ensure a successful and stress-free sale. Start by identifying cherished items you want to keep, giving family members a chance to claim sentimental possessions, and removing personal and sensitive documents. Seek the guidance of experts to assess the value of items you might consider discarding and provide essential information about valuable pieces. Safety is paramount, so be sure to highlight potential hazards in your home. During the sale, expect your home to be transformed into a retail space, making it best to plan a weekend getaway to allow professionals to work efficiently. With Kimbell-Brown's experienced team, you can trust that your estate sale will be handled with care, maximizing profits while ensuring your peace of mind.