How to Hold a Successful Estate Sale

One benefit to letting a professional estate-sale company take the reins is that they usually have an established clientele that follows their events, virtually guaranteeing customers. And you won't need to do any of the pricing, tagging and selling, though you certainly need to do some prep work.

Estate-Sale Strategies

If you're considering an estate sale, here's what you'll need to do.

• Find a professional. Before hiring an estate-sale professional, learn what they will cover. Some take care of all the details, from pricing and selling to cleaning the house and hauling off items that didn't sell. Some are only involved in preparing and conducting the sale.

  Professional estate-liquidating companies can be found online, but it's best to ask friends for referrals. Interview at least two estate-sale companies and check their references. Also check the local Better Business Bureau for any complaints with the companies you are considering -- only look at those that are insured and bonded, and who will provide a detailed contract covering all aspects of the sale.

  Once you have some names, visit an estate-sale event they're running and note how it's going. Were you greeted upon entering the premises? Was security provided to secure valuables? Were there enough people to answer buyers' questions? How were the items priced? Was the money collected in a systematic way and secured? If customers see a well-run outfit has taken the time to properly display, clean and mark each item, they are more likely to pay better prices.

• Don't throw anything away. Items you may consider trash are other people's treasures -- valuable pieces include old magazines, photographs, dated kitchen utensils, costume jewelry and vintage clothing. Well before the sale, have the estate-sale professional walk through the house to help you decide what can be discarded.