Top mistakes people make when planning an Estate Sale
Things to keep in mind for a successful sale!
Buyers expect a full well rounded home. When key items are missing. It can reduce your interest an overall traffic. Our advice if you’re unsure talk with us first. We can help you decide what makes sense to keep before the sale.
1. One of the most common and costly mistakes is assuming certain items have no value. We regularly see every household sale in Spokane, like tools, vintage kitchen items, sewing supplies, and even things people almost toss out. Those smaller items often add up in a lot of big ways. Our advice, don’t throw anything away until it’s been looked at by a professional.
2. Removing items before the sale we completely understand wanting to keep meaningful items. But removing too much ahead of time can hurt the overall success of the sale.
3. Pricing based on sentimental value. This is one of the hardest parts for families. We know Adam Carrie memories, but the Spokane states cell market is driven by current demand, not emotional value. Over pricing often leads to item sitting and being unsold. Our advice trust the pricing strategy that’s based on the market so items actually sell.
4. Waiting too long to schedule a sale. We often get calls from families who wish they had reached out sooner estate sales take time to plan properly, especially during Spokane’s busy seasons. Waiting too long can mean rushing the process or missing idea sale dates. Our advice reach out early, even if you’re just starting to explore your options.
5. Trying to do it yourself. It’s tempting to think in an estate sale is just a larger garage sale, but it is much more involved. From pricing and staging to managing crowds and marketing, there are many moving parts. We had clients come to us after trying to do it themselves and realized how overwhelming it can be. Our advice at the very least consult with a professional before deciding to go to do it yourself route.
6. Underestimating the importance of staging and presentation makes a huge difference. We’ve seen homes completely transformed. Once items are organized, cleaned, and staged properly buyers are more comfortable and spend more time when a home feels like a shop rather than a storage space. Our advice, organization, and presentation directly impact your final outcome of a successful sale.
7. Not having a plan for unsold items. This is something many people don’t think about until the very end. After the sale, there are often remaining items that need to be handled quickly especially if a home is being listed or closed soon. Our advice have a plan in place for donations, clean out, or buyout options before the sale even begins.
Final thoughts after 14 years in this business, one thing we know for sure is this, every estate sale is different but the right guidance makes all the difference. Our goal is always to make the process as smooth, respectful and successful as possible for the family we work with.
If you’re in the Spokane area and thinking about an estate sale, even if you’re just in the early stages were always happy to answer questions and help you figure out the next step. Owners Becky and Cindy with 14 years of experience; contact us today to schedule a consultation.