Estate Sale Pricing Guide

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Not sure how to price your items? Use our estate sale pricing guide to help you decide what is worth selling, keeping, donating and how you should price your items. When pricing items at an estate sale, you must take multiple factors into consideration.

Things to consider when pricing your personal property for an estate sale include the age and condition of the item, demand in the current marketplace, geographical significance of the item, and price of the item if it were being sold new from a retail store. Due to the nature of estate sales and the fact that they encompass a broad range of items, accurate estate sale pricing may take considerable time and expertise.

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What Sells Best At An Estate Sale

Wondering what sells best at an estate sale? Estate sales are typically an entire collection of items that someone may have collected throughout their lifetime, meaning they can include quite a motley assortment of items. While you can find literally everything and anything for sale at an estate sale, there are some things that people typically hone in on. This is key to an estate sale pricing guide. These items include, but are not limited to:

Antique Furniture

There is a strong market for antique furniture at estate sales and people are always on the hunt for unique vintage pieces to grace their homes or to resell. Even when it’s high-quality, traditional brown furniture isn’t in style right now, so these items typically sell for much less than their worth. Mid-Century Modern furniture, however, has been popular for the past couple of decades and continues to have a strong market.

Collectibles

Card collections, coins and stamps, doll collections, sports memorabilia – you name it. Estate sale shoppers love the thrill of the chase and are often looking to score a diamond in the rough. Because of this, it’s important to have these collections (especially if you are not the original owner of the collectibles) appraised by a professional. If not, you could be missing out on a major payday for a rare and valuable collector’s item.

High-End Clothing

Well-cared-for vintage designer clothing, furs and the like are often sold at estate sales and can fetch significant prices.

Vintage Jewelry

Well-made jewelry can last for hundreds of years and many pieces stay within a family, passed down through generations. Equally as many older vintage pieces pass through estate sales on their journey to their new wearer. People love finding beautiful and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces to show off and both real and vintage costume jewelry have value at these sales.

Art

Original artwork, be they photographs, paintings, sculptures, Venetian masks, etc., are popular pieces to both buy and sell at estate sales.

Rugs

Large area rugs or smaller rugs, especially authentic hand-woven ones can fetch good prices at estate sales.

Workout Equipment

Though workout equipment typically loses a lot of its value on the used market, people still come to estate sales looking to score a deal on these items that are rather expensive to buy from retail stores. High-quality treadmills, multi-use workout systems and lead weights can all be sold at an estate sale.

How to Price Household Items For An Estate Sale

Small household items such as kitchenware or tools can be sold individually or as a lot. It depends on the value and size of the items in question. Prices for these items are typically in the $10 to $50 range and depend on the condition and value of the item. Items sold at an estate sale are typically priced much lower than they would be purchased new from a store and a bit lower than what they would cost at an antique store. Keep in mind that the average estate sale shopper is an opportunist, so they are looking for and get excited about finding a good deal on something. If they wanted to pay full price, they would simply buy the item from a store. Using our estate sale pricing guide will help you price your items correctly. A few examples:

  • Small appliances from KitchenAid, Cuisinart, etc., should be in the $10 to $20 range. Things like KitchenAid mixers (often found at estate sales) can be sold for around $50 to $100.
  • Large appliances such as working washing machines, clothes dryers or ranges can be sold for hundreds of dollars, and it depends on the original purchase price, age and condition of the appliances.

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How to Price Furniture For An Estate Sale

Pricing furniture at an estate sale depends on the age of the item, rarity and original maker of the item. Vintage or discontinued furniture from lauded designers can fetch significant prices at estate sales. Pieces from mid-century modern designers such as Eames, Kjærholm, Aalto, Paul Evans, Knoll, and Wegner to name a few, hold their value extremely well and may be worth more today than they were when originally sold. Gothic, Rococo and Chippendale designs are valuable in today’s market. Well-preserved or well-worn Chesterfield couches hold their value, as do sturdy Adirondack chairs and other outdoor furniture in good condition. A knowledgeable appraiser will be a helpful estate sale pricing guide for your furniture collection.

Estate Sale Pricing Guide for Clothes

Pricing clothing at an estate sale depends on multiple factors. Chief among them is the brand, followed by condition, style and size of the item. Inexpensive fast-fashion clothes are typically sold in lots or donated. Higher-quality items like pieces from well-known designers can fetch higher prices. If you have a closet full of furs and designer clothing, you could be looking at significant revenue for your estate sale outcome.

Here are the main considerations for pricing clothes:

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Brand

What brand are the clothes? Most clothing from fast fashion brands is virtually valueless on the used market and will typically be priced as a lot. Midrange clothing that is of high quality and a classic style has a decent resale value and can be priced as a lot or individually. High fashion brands like Chanel, Prada, Hermes – you get the drift – will sell for more and are almost always sold individually.

Condition

How have the items been cared for? Items that are free of snags, loose threads or stains will certainly be more valuable than items whose age is reflected in their condition. Certain fabrics naturally discolor with age and how the item is stored will reflect this, as is the case with a properly stored wedding dress or one that was simply tucked away in a box.

Style

Is the clothing currently trendy? Styles change and evolve throughout the years and certain styles come out or back in over the course of a 20- to 30-year cycle.  Of course, timeless classics will have a resale value no matter what the current trends are.

When pricing items, you should make an estate sale inventory checklist and have all of your pricing organized well ahead of schedule. Pricing your items is by far the most time-consuming part of preparing for an estate sale, and it’s important that you know the value of things lest a savvy shopper take your lunch! Hiring a professional appraiser is the best way to ensure that you can discern the difference between the valuable and the valueless.

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Price Accurately With A Professional Appraiser

The best way to make sure that the items in your estate sale are priced correctly is to hire a professional appraiser or use an estate sale company to conduct the sale for you. Professional appraisers like those at Estate Pros are knowledgeable about a tremendous range of items and the service more than pays for itself at the end of the day when you are able to realize the true value of the items in your collection of personal property.

Contact Estate Pros for a free consultation and let us help you set prices on your items that are both fair to you as the seller and enticing to the buyer.

Estate Pros – The Best In The Business

The Estate Pros team has conducted thousands of estate sales over the course of the past 15+ years in Southeastern Michigan. With the pro’s at Estate Pros handling all of the permitting requirements, you won’t have to worry about a thing! Our professional reputation in Oakland, Macomb, and parts of Livingston, Genesee, Lapeer & Wayne counties is second to none and we pride ourselves on getting our customers top dollar for their personal property. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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What Our Clients are Saying

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4.9
Estate Pros are the best!! They did a great job cleaning out my mother’s house. Very efficient and left the place clean.
Response from the owner: Thanks Julie!!!
From start to end, Jonathan and his team were on time, professional, and did everything they promised. We are very pleased.When downsizing for a senior it’s so critical that things don’t go to the landfills. Jonathan gets your stuff donated and makes sure you get a tax write off.
Response from the owner: Thanks Brenda!!!
Response from the owner: Thanks Cyndi!
Very detailed, professional and always quick to respond. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner: Thanks Pam!!!
Response from the owner: Thanks Helen!
From the time they arrived to completion, they were very professional and helpful during the process. Would recommend to others.
Response from the owner: Thanks Mary Ellyn!!!
Had a great experience working with Estate Pros. Jonathan was fabulous to work with, very helpful and quick to respond. They helped our family clean up all the details of dealing with our mothers home. They were kind and efficient.
Response from the owner: Thanks Susan!
We used cleanout service. Very professional, helpful and thorough. Great service.Follow up, they came back to clean out the entire place and did a fabulous and thorough job
Response from the owner: Thanks Anita!
These guys were amazing. Fast, very courteous, very clean. Can’t recommend them enough!!
Response from the owner: Thanks Paul!
We just want to say, thank you to Jonathan and his crew for a smooth and effortless experience from start to finish of emptying out our Mom's condo. Incredible customer service from Jonathan, he informed us exactly how the process would go and he set us up to receive a tax credit for my mom. We just love the over all experience with Estate Pros.Thank You Jonathan,John & Sharon Huff
Response from the owner: Thanks John & Sharon!!!
Estate Pros is an excellent small business offering various estate services. Jonathan Tomlanovich knows his stuff and goes above and beyond for his customers, along with every member of his crew. From the initial consultation to scheduling, donations to clean out, Estate Pros did great and respectful work for me. The price was also very reasonable for the work performed. If you’re in need of an estate sale or other related services, I highly recommend them. 5/5.
Response from the owner: Thanks Josh!
We hired Estate Pros to facilitate the clearing out of our home. Jonathon recommended donating the goods to organizations that Estate Pros had relationships with like Habitat for Humanity and St Vincent de Paul. He said they would be able to clear the house out in one day and as a licensed appraiser would be able to help with the forms needed for tax purposes. The home was completely cleared out and spotless by the end of the day. The Estate Pros and Habitat for Humanity teams were very organized and professional and did a fantastic job. I highly recommend Estate Pros.
Response from the owner: Thanks Bob!
Estate pro's came in, moved the materials out at the time and date agreed and provided an appraisal and donation process. Key steps during a difficult period of time in which our family was exhausted and drained carrying for an elder at the end of their life. They were a big help!
Response from the owner: Thanks Kathleen!
As before, you were great and did an excellant job. Thanks for everything.
Response from the owner: Thanks Karen!
Jonathan and his crew did exactly what they said they were going to do with the house, clean out and more.I would highly recommend their services.
Response from the owner: Thanks Mark!
It was a very pleasant experience they were professional knowledgeable. They did everything. They said they would do. The house was immaculate and clean and ready for the new owner. I would recommend them to anyone.
Response from the owner: Thanks Kathy!
Great job. Jonathan was available and helpful throughout the process of cleaning out a very large home. Very positive experience.
Response from the owner: Thanks Alex!
Fabulous service, people and efficiency! They made it easier! Great price and habitat for Humanity took many unneeded items off my hands and I got a tax write off for the donations. Best yet, they cleaned, swept and vacuumed ! Thank you!
Response from the owner: Thanks Maureen!
These guys were fantastic! Polite, respectful, hardworking and professional. I will recommend them to anyone who needs this service.
Response from the owner: Thanks Andrea!
I was amazed at what John and his team were able to accomplish! They were all kind, helpful, and removed 90% of the stuff in my father in law's 5000 sq ft home in just one day so that I could prep it for sale.
Response from the owner: Thanks Anna!
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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!

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Upcoming Estate Sales

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Clinton Township Michigan Estate Sale

To Be Announced
Clinton Township, MI, 48035
October 5, 2024
October 6, 2024
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PALMER WOODS, DETROIT MICHIGAN ESTATE SALE

To Be Announced
Highland Park, MI, 48203
October 12, 2024
October 13, 2024
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