If you read one thing
Wait before you throw anything away.
Families almost always start by cleaning out. It's the natural instinct, and it's the one thing that costs real money. Papers get shredded, tools get hauled, the sewing basket goes to the curb, and the good jewelry turns out to have been in a coffee can in the garage.
You don't need to sort, price, or organize a thing before we arrive. Sorting is the job.
The sequence
How a sale actually goes.
Six steps, in this order, every time.
Walkthrough
Free, and usually within a few days of your call. We look at everything — house, garage, attic, outbuildings — and tell you honestly whether the contents will support a sale.
Agreement in writing
Commission, dates, who is responsible for what, and exactly what happens to whatever doesn't sell. One page, plain English, signed before we start.
Sorting and research
Every drawer, box, pocket, and book. Personal papers, photographs, and anything with family meaning is set aside for you. Anything that needs an expert eye gets researched or referred out before it's priced.
Staging and pricing
The house gets set up so people can genuinely shop it: tables out, glass grouped, tools laid out, lighting on. Priced for this market and this season, not for a price guide.
The sale
Advertised locally and online, staffed by us for every hour it's open. We manage the line, protect the house, take cash and cards, and handle the people who want to negotiate.
Clear-out and settlement
We buy what's left at a fair number or arrange donation runs with receipts and haul-off for the rest. You get an itemized settlement statement and a house that's ready to list.
Cost
You pay nothing up front.
Estate sales work on commission: we're paid a percentage of what the sale brings, so we only do well when you do. Nothing comes out of your pocket to get started.
The percentage depends on the size of the house, the quality of the contents, and how much clearing and hauling is involved. We quote it at the walkthrough, in writing, before you decide anything. If the contents won't support a sale worth running, we'll tell you that too and point you at a better option.
Timeline
- Walkthrough Within a few days of your call
- Setup 1–3 weeks, depending on the house
- Sale Typically 2–3 days
- Clear-out Within a week of the last day
- Settlement Itemized, shortly after clear-out
Working against a closing date or a facility deadline? Say so when you call. We schedule around real deadlines all the time.
Questions we get every week
Straight answers.
Do we need to be there?
No. Many families hand us a key and go home. We send photos and updates, and we're happy to have you there if you'd rather be.
We live out of state. Is that a problem?
Not at all. A good share of our clients are handling a parent's house from several states away. Phone, email, and photos cover it.
What if there isn't enough for a full sale?
Then we'll say so. In that case a straight offer on the contents is usually the better deal for you — here's how that works.
What happens to what doesn't sell?
Three options, decided in advance with you: we buy the remainder, we take it to a charity and bring you the receipt, or we haul it. Most houses end up as some mix of all three.
Can you leave the house empty for our realtor?
Yes. Empty and broom-clean is the normal finish, and we coordinate directly with listing agents when it helps.
What about firearms, cars, and appraisals?
We refer firearms to a licensed dealer, and we'll point you to a certified appraiser when an item needs a formal appraisal for insurance, tax, or court purposes. Vehicles and titled property we handle case by case.
Ready to have someone look at it?
One phone call and a walkthrough will tell you more than a week of worrying about it will.