Let’s take the month of June and discuss some tips for downsizing. I would like to talk about using an estate sale as one option and explore that idea with some tips.
Moving from a home to a smaller home or apartment is hard. The process of parting with a lifetime of possessions and memories can be very difficult. My parents are in the process of selling their home in NY and moving to Florida, as we speak. When they purchased their Florida home, in a community over a year ago, they also furnished that Florida home. They borrowed or took nothing from their NY home thinking they would be “snowbirds.” Now with their decision to make a permanent move to Florida they will be taking nothing from NY to Florida and have to liquidate a whole NY house and lifetime of memories. My sisters and I spent last weekend trying to figure out what would be donated, what would go to the front lawn, and what would be appropriate for an estate sale.
Speaking of estate sales, let’s look at some tips. If someone has a large quantity and a wide range of items with some value, an estate sale might be a good option. Finding a reputable company is important. Make sure you ask for and talk to the references. Also make sure the company is properly licensed and insured. Ask and obtain a copy of their license and their insurance coverage.
Here are some questions to ask when interviewing estate sale companies:
- Are there enough belongings or valuables to do an estate sale?
- When can we reasonably expect to schedule the sale (considering all parties availability)?
- How long will the process take from start to finish?
- How does your company determine value, especially with items of high value?
- What if I change my mind and want to retain a few items after we have signed a contract?
- What do your fees cover?
- Are there any hidden or additional costs, like set up and sales fees? Any credit card processing fees? Debris removal fees?
- Does your company provide an inventory of all items sold?
- How long does it take for your company to settle its accounts and send a check to the estate?