Estate sales are a great way to get rid of a lost loved one’s things for whatever reason you may have. There aren’t too many technicalities involved, but many things can go wrong. The best way to avoid any potential hiccups is to plan appropriately for the estate sale before it arrives. Planning for the sale may be more stressful than the actual sale itself, but it is worth it. You will need to know a few things to ensure your house is ready for an estate sale. With that being said, here are the best tips for organizing your house for an estate Sale:
Create Inventory
The first thing you need to do in every estate sale scenario is to take inventory of all the items. As these items are from someone else, there may be some things you may want to keep or give to someone else. Inventory also helps to create an estimate of what to expect from sales. Every item should be listed, making it easier to track them during the sale. With each item sold, you can strike it from your record.
Sort Items
The next thing you want to do is to sort the items into categories. Sorting makes it easier for people to find items they want or need. Categorize things based on their function, example standing desk, comfortable chair, warm lights and then by price. Those on a budget can comfortably sort through the items and buy things without going off budget. With the right sorting system, your estate sale will go off smoothly and will likely succeed. Sorting systems can be implemented into the inventory to make things even easier.
Research
No items are as valuable to people as those they need. Do some market items as to the items that people need and put them up front. You need to have some items that draw people to the estate sale; the ones they need are the perfect bait. Others from outside your researched range may present, but they will likely hear about it from those interested. The research will also help you identify items that are best left out of the sale, if necessary.
Price Items
The next thing you should do is price items. Pricing comes from research and gives you a realistic estimate of what people will pay for items. To help sell items easier, you can always offer discounts, as the sales go on for longer. Each day the sale is on, you can slice off a little off the price, making it easier for those who couldn’t afford it. While you may not sell all the items, it will help improve your sales.
Security Measures
Since valuable items will likely be displayed during the sale, it is wise to invest in some sort of security. Anti-theft devices, cameras, and locks are all important; the more valuable items you have, the better security you require. Cameras will help you observe everyone in the sale and ensure no one takes anything illegally. Your security doesn’t need to be spectacular unless the items are too valuable or you’re expecting some sort of trouble.
Get Permission
Estate sales may require special permissions depending on where you live. Check with local authorities to ensure you are legally allowed to hold an estate sale. Permissions may also involve the day you can hold an estate sale. With cash being exchanged, there may be some sort of license required. Sort out all the legalities before you choose to hold an estate sale to avoid any troubles.
Hire Professionals
You may be able to handle everything yourself, but you can’t go wrong with hiring professionals. Estate sales tend to be very stressful, especially when many items are involved. Leaving it to professionals allows you to monitor the entire process without worrying about intricate details. As you will be using professionals, you can expect them to turn your house into a great estate sale that will likely feature more people than the one you handled.
Conclusion
Organizing your house for an estate sale isn’t always easy, especially when emotions are involved. With adequate preparation, not only can you expect a great estate sale but great success as well. By the end of a well-organized estate sale, you can expect to have sold almost every available item.