It takes a lifetime to fill a home — amassing possessions is a slow and gradual process. Attachments tend to grow as we associate memories and moments with possessions — from grandmother’s beloved cookware that delivered countless Thanksgiving meals to the favorite timeworn sofa that delivered the perfect post-meal nap. So when it comes time to empty a home of its contents, especially the home of a loved one, the task can feel overwhelming. Estate sales are a popular option for managing one’s possessions and reducing waste, and this season we’re asking experts how to balance practicality with sentiment and maximize return while minimizing stress.
The first step is to assess your own goal, says Chris Olsen, owner of New Orleans Estate Sales. Is the goal to maximize the value of the items, clear the house for sale, or simply declutter?
“Different goals can be accomplished in different ways, and it helps to have a baseline understanding of your goal before reaching out to an estate sale company,” says Olsen. “Secondly, it’s helpful to know what you want to sell and what you want to keep.”
Items not to be sold should be clearly marked or removed from the home before bringing in professionals. At The Occasional Wife, owner Kay Morrison adds that you need to have all legal matters resolved and the home cleared of all personal information. She emphasizes that you should not throw anything away.
“It is a tried and true statement that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” she says.
According to experts, one of the biggest mistakes a person can make is clearing out or donating items ahead of a consultation with an estate sale company.
“Many clients have told me at the initial contract meeting that they’ve already donated all the clothing to a thrift store,” says Olsen. “Tragic! Vintage clothing sells well, and removing it themselves was a whole unnecessary effort on the part of the client, not to mention potential sales lost.”
Morrison agrees and says there’s a common misconception that furniture should be the focus.
“To have a successful estate sale, it needs to be a good mixture of art, kitchenware, household décor, furniture, shed and garage items, collectibles, and everyday useful items,” she says. “I always say people will buy a half of a bottle of Windex, and it all adds up.”
Clearing out a home ahead of a consultation isn’t helpful for the estate sale company or for the family going through the process. According to Olsen, it’s the job of the company to carry that burden.
“The process of having an estate sale — whether because of downsizing/relocating or a death in the family — is emotional enough. We’re here to handle the contents so you don’t have to,” he says.
Experts note that different companies offer different approaches and services. You may want to consult with a few before deciding how to proceed. According to Morrison, you should understand how each company works. Take a look at their following on social media — visit their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts to see how they drive business to their sales and how they handle and display items. It should be with care and professionalism. Does the percentage they take reflect the work they put into making a successful sale?
Each company has their own methods of calculating the value of a home’s contents, and during your consultation is when you can start gathering a clear picture of a sale’s worth.
“Sale results are dependent on many factors, a few of which we can’t control — the market, weather, location, customer behavior, etc.,” says Olsen. “However, we have a team of very experienced pricers and researchers who will assess each item and come up with the best realistic price for your item in the particular market.”
Olsen adds that New Orleans Estate Sales has the ability to consign or auction high-dollar items that may be best sold outside of a traditional sale setting.
At The Occasional Wife, Morrison is informed by 18 years of experience. She bases pricing on what she knows the market will pay for it — the demand for the items and what they have sold for in the past. If she feels an item would do better at auction, she lets the client know. Whether a high- or low-value item, Morrison prices to sell while prioritizing fairness for all parties involved: the client, the customer, and the company.
Each estate sale is as unique as the person who occupied the home, says Olsen. For him, this is what makes the business so exciting. Each home has its own story; each family has its own needs. Each sale is tailored to both honor that story and meet the client’s needs.
“Having an estate sale is an efficient and cost-effective way to clear a home while finding new homes for the items your loved ones adored and collected,” says Morrison.
Experts agree — estate sales are an excellent way to reduce waste while acknowledging the lifetime it took to fill the home. There’s value in every corner — even that half-used bottle of Windex.
