How to Price Household Items for an Estate Sale

  • Things That Sell Well at Estate Sales
  • Things That Don’t Sell Well at Estate Sales
  • How to Price Estate Sale Items
  • How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Estate Sale Company?
Call 248-266-9817Free Consultation

Figuring out how to price household items at an estate sale is no easy task. Luckily, the pros at Estate Pros are here to help! There are a number of variables that affect the price of items sold at an estate sale, such as the age and condition of the items, the current demand for these items in the public marketplace, and the type of items your home contains.

characteristics-of-an-estate-sale

What Sells at Estate Sales?

The types of items sold at an estate sale vary widely, ranging from automobiles to antique furniture. Generally, high-ticket items are things like furniture, collectibles, jewelry, automobiles, rugs, and artwork. It is typical for the items at an estate sale to reflect the diverse interests of their owner, such as sewing machines, baseball cards, gardening tools, fine art, and other collectibles. 

personal-or-sensitive

Things That Sell Well at Estate Sales

  • Certain antiques: Mid-century furniture has been hot for a number of years now and shows no signs of slowing down soon. There is always a market for interesting pieces and exotic furniture.
  • Rugs: Many people look for handwoven and antique rugs at estate sales.
  • Kitchen appliances: Kitchen appliances that are modern or in good working condition can be sold easily at an estate sale.
  • Paintings: Many people who are in the market for paintings, photography, and other art shop at estate sales.
  • Designer clothing: High-quality and well-kept designer clothing holds value and certain brands can be highly sought after for vintage pieces.
  • Tapestry and sculpture: Price these similarly to how you would price art on canvas.
  • Automobiles: Automobiles are always in demand, and classics or modern cars in good condition can catch prices very near fair market value.

Things That Don’t Sell Well at Estate Sales

  • Old electronics and TVs: With the exception of a few things like IBM mechanical keyboards, which are highly sought after, old electronics don’t hold a lot of interest or value to many people these days.
  • Pianos and organs: The market is pretty flooded with these large pieces (and they are hard to move).
  • Brown furniture: Much of the high-quality, brown furniture that can be found in an estate sale just isn’t in style anymore. Today, people favor cheaply made, modern furniture from Ikea and the like.
  • Collectible figurines: Though these can fetch excellent prices for the right buyer, they typically aren’t appreciated as much in the estate sale market. Things like Hummels or other porcelain figurines don’t typically suit the tastes of the current generations shopping at estate sales today.
  • Books: Books can be difficult to sell at an estate sale, but there are a number of resellers that you can contact who deal only in books.
  • China: Fine china also isn’t appreciated by today’s generations as it was decades ago. It may be better to sell it somewhere else, such as an antique shop, where it will find the market that appreciates it.
  • China cabinets: Just as people’s collections of fine china used for special occasions are dwindling, the cabinets used to store these collections are no longer as popular.
  • Decorative glassware: Vases and tchotkes and such aren’t extremely popular these days.

matthew-feeney-dleZCEQaWkY-unsplash

How to Price Estate Sale Items

Correct estate sale pricing takes expertise in a broad range of specialties and interests. Items sold are typically priced below what they would sell for through consignment or at an auction, and they are typically priced higher than they would be priced at a garage sale.

High-ticket items such as artwork, furniture or automobiles are usually sold individually, whereas smaller items such as kitchen appliances, tools, and clothing may be priced in lots. If you don’t know how to price household items for an estate sale, a professional can make helpful recommendations. Items that are old, in poor condition, or not “in vogue” may need to be priced rather aggressively if they are to sell at all.

The following are some factors to take into account when figuring out how to price estate sale items:

  • Condition: Items that show a lot of wear and tear will not be valued as favorably as items in mint or near-mint condition.
  • Demand: How popular is the item in the marketplace? Checking sites like eBay, Poshmark, and other online resources can give you an idea of the current demand for a particular item. For example, mid-century furniture is in; traditional brown furniture is out.
  • Sentimental value: It is not uncommon for certain items to hold much greater sentimental value to a person than the market reflects.
  • Flexibility: Allow room for flexibility in your pricing in the event that a buyer offers a lower price than the listed price.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Estate Sale Company?

Estate sale companies are typically paid by commission, taking a percentage of the revenue from the lot sold. This ranges from 40% to 60%, depending on the deal you negotiate. A number of different factors play a part in determining what the final commission will be; these factors will either lower or raise the percentage.

While this percentage may seem high, many consider it to be more than worth it when the benefits of using an estate sale company are brought into consideration. The benefits of using a professional estate sale company can maximize your profits tenfold when compared to selling things yourself in a garage sale (with much less work on your part) or selling items individually at auctions like eBay. It is not uncommon for companies to set a minimum sale amount to ensure they are compensated for their time and effort in hosting the sale by cataloging, marketing and displaying the items in their best light.

3-How-are-Appraisals-Determined

Negotiating a lower commission rate for larger and more expensive items like vehicles is often possible. A large estate containing many items that may need to be donated or disposed of if they do not sell may cost you a higher commission because of the extra work involved for the estate sale company you use. Similarly, a cluttered or messy house that entails a thorough cleaning or reorganizing before the sale will mean extra hours for the team sorting your belongings.

The benefits of hiring a professional estate sale company:

  • Expertise of a personal property appraiser
  • Tasteful staging of items in the home
  • Tried and true marketing methods and materials
  • Permitting is handled by the staff
  • Cataloging of items and inventory
  • Handling payments

Cashier

Estate Sale Companies Make Pricing Easy

A professional estate sale company can be an invaluable tool in helping you figure out how to price household items for an estate sale. Holding an estate sale is a heavy undertaking for an individual so you’ll get the most bang for your buck with an estate sale company. Beyond the emotional burden that often comes with the task, sorting through an entire house is physically demanding. Pricing items takes expertise and cataloging them requires thorough organization. Once everything has been priced and organized, the items should be staged in their best light, the sale marketed appropriately, and all permitting requirements handled. If you are thinking of having an estate sale, contact Estate Pros today to schedule a free consultation.

Thinking about hiring an Estate Sale Company?

Contact the Estate Pros!!!

Call 248-266-9817Free Consultation

The Estate Pros are the most professional estate sale company in the area serving homes like yours all across southeast Michigan. We are consistently ranked amongst the top estate sale companies in America, recognized by EstateSale.com and other industry authorities.

We pay meticulous attention to every detail as we handle each aspect of the estate sale process from start to finish. Our experts will work with you from the initial free consultation to the complete execution of your event and everything in between. You don’t need to lift a finger; the Estate Pros will take care of everything for you!

What Our Clients are Saying

Excellent
4.9
I cannot say enough of the seamless process of clearing out my parents home, along with the estate sale and donation. It was a very emotional time having recently losing my Mother, but Jonathan and and Jay did such a thorough job. The amount of detail taken with the listings, the labor intensive clean out and cleanup, and being so careful to not create any damage. I am so thankful and appreciative. When the time comes to sell my home, I have comfort in knowing that Estate Pros will do a five star job!
Response from the owner: Thanks Suzanne! It was a pleasure to serve as your Bloomfield Hills Michigan estate sale company!
Prompt, polite, & efficient! Highly recommend!
Response from the owner: Thanks Deena! It was a pleasure to serve as your Novi Michigan estate liquidation company!
Response from the owner: Thanks Leslee! It was a pleasure to serve as your Commerce Michigan estate sale company!
Estate Pros managed to clear my Mother's house out in less than 5 hours! They sent pictures to show me the empty rooms, which was great. I also appreciate that they worked with Habitat for Humanity, and that some of the items from the house will help that organization. That would have made my Mother as happy as it makes me.
Response from the owner: Thanks Karen! It was a pleasure to serve as your Sylvan Lake Michigan estate liquidation company!
Estate Pros was very easy to work with and completed everything as promised. Jonathan was always responsive to any questions and was very easy to get a hold of. My mom had passed away and her house needed to be emptied out so the house could be sold. I highly recommend Estate Pros and Jonathan and would use them again if the need ever arose again.
Response from the owner: Thanks Gregg! It was a pleasure to serve as your Lapeer Michigan estate liquidation company!
Response from the owner: Thanks Kara! It was a pleasure to serve as your Rochester Hills Michigan estate liquidation company!
Estate Pros did a wonderful job in removing and cleaning up my Mother’s house after she had passed.
Response from the owner: Thanks Bob! It was a pleasure to serve as your New Hudson Michigan estate liquidation company!
Jonathan and his crew were truly exceptional. Jonathan was quick to answer and always responsive. He was reassuring and kind in his approach. My friend sold his home of 63 years and there was alot of “stuff”. As a 95 year old, It was overwhelming how He would ever get it cleared out. A long hard work day and it was done and we didn't lift a finger! The crew was considerate in discarding his “stuff”which made him feel they respected his life long possessions that were going….. to donation or the dumpster. Highly recommend The Estate Pros. Thank you for kindness and great service!
Response from the owner: Thanks Julie! It was a pleasure to assist Ken and serve as your Bloomfield Hills Michigan estate liquidation company!
They handled a move to two houses and the estate charity contribution It was a very easy and smooth process. There was one problem but Jonathan addresses it immediately and to my satisfaction.
Response from the owner: Thanks Al! It was a pleasure to serve as your Novi Michigan estate liquidation and moving company!
Jonathan and his team managed to amaze me a second time- actually Part 2 of my move. Anyone that knows me well, knows that Linda’s basement is the place to shop and I usually manage to come through🤣- meaning I have a lot of stuff. The weight off my shoulders was immense🤗
Response from the owner: Thanks Amelia & Linda! It was a pleasure to serve as your Shelby Township Michigan estate liquidation company!
All around best service! Professional, easy and everything arrived in the same shape that it was originally was in. Easy to book and contact. Text reminders of upcoming service was great. They wrapped the couches in plastic, dressers were covered in moving blankets. All I had to do was tell what room the items go in and that is it. 100% recommend!
Response from the owner: Thanks Cassie! It was a pleasure to serve as your Farmington Hills Michigan local moving company!
Jonathan and his team were absolutely fantastic. It’s a tough thing to clear out your parents home but they made it so much more manageable! They were kind, respectful, and took care of everything top to bottom. I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you Jonathan!
Response from the owner: Thanks Mike! It was a pleasure to serve as your Huntington Woods Michigan estate liquidation company!
What a blessing to have this group of professionals Help with a home clean out!
Response from the owner: Thanks Cary! It was a pleasure to serve as your Bloomfield Hills Michigan estate liquidation company!
Johnathon was the consummate professional. His crew was great and did more than required just to make things easier for us. I would recommend Estate Pros without hesitation and if I ever have to do this again I wouldn’t consider using any other company.
Response from the owner: Thanks Joe! It was a pleasure to serve as your Rochester Hills Michigan estate liquidation company!
Estate Pros did a great job when we only had one week to vacate the property. Didn't have time for an estate sale and had to donate most of the furniture, but their professional appraisal was more than enough to make up for the loss. They cleaned out everything and left the house spotless for the next owners to move in. The company is very efficient with high integrity.
Response from the owner: Thanks Sanford! It was a pleasure to serve as your Dearborn Heights Michigan estate liquidation company!
Estate Pros did a wonderful job! Jonathan was wonderful to work with and always responsive to any questions I had about the process. Estate Pros made the stressful process of liquidation manageable.
Response from the owner: Thanks Elizabeth! It was a pleasure to serve as your Brighton Michigan estate liquidation company!
Great communication both before and during the cleanout. Team was courteous, thorough but efficient. House was left empty and clean.
Response from the owner: Thanks Jody! It was a pleasure to serve as your Oxford estate liquidation company!
Response from the owner: Thanks Angela! It was a pleasure to serve as your Davisburg estate liquidation company!
Jonathan and his team of movers did an awesome job helping me downsize to a condominium. They were accommodating and very helpful in my time of stress. They were also very kind. Loved working with them😍
Response from the owner: Thanks Linda! It’s been such a pleasure to be your Shelby Township estate liquidation and moving company!
Jonathan and crew exemplified an exceptional professionalism. Punctual, courteous, supportive, efficient, attentive, skilled and organized. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thanks Elijah!
js_loader

Southeast Michigan Estate Sale Service Area

The Estate Pros have been proudly serving Oakland, Macomb and parts of Livingston, Genesee, Lapeer & Wayne counties for the past 15 years. No matter what your situation calls for, the Estate Pros are here to help!

ServiceMap_White_Green_wBordersArtboard_1

Estate Sale Resources

Estate Sales vs Garage Sales
March 22, 2022

Estate Sales vs Garage Sales

Estate Sales vs Garage sales, two sales generally at home hosted for very different reasons. Estate Sales, Tag Sales and Moving Sales, are all commonly interchangeable terms used to describe the liquidation of personal property. However, there are definitely distinct differences between…

Read More
How to Find Estate Sales
March 22, 2022

How to Find Estate Sales

How to find and Estate Sale? The popularity of estate… Read More
How to Prepare for an Estate Sale
March 22, 2022

How to Prepare for an Estate Sale

Having a well thought out plan is important to having… Read More
Estate Sales vs Estate Auctions
March 22, 2022

Estate Sales vs Estate Auctions

Estate Sales vs Estate Auctions, what’s the difference? Which option… Read More
Why Have an Estate Sale?
March 22, 2022

Why Have an Estate Sale?

Why do most people have an estate sale? In short,… Read More