Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a houseful of quality items to sell after losing a loved one, moving a family member into care, downsizing, or going through a divorce, a professionally run estate sale usually brings in more than selling everything to one buyer, without the work of a do-it-yourself sale.

No. Don’t throw out, sort, or clean before a professional sees the home. Items that look like clutter may be exactly what a shopper is looking for, and the company will handle the sorting, cleaning, and staging. Do remove anything you or your family plan to keep before the evaluation.

No. Many successful estate sales have few antiques or collectibles. Everyday household items often sell for more than you would get by donating or discarding them.

Remove them before the company assesses the home. Many companies base their contract on the full contents at the time of assessment and ask that nothing be removed afterward. Some can set aside an off-limits room for items still being sorted.

Many sales can take place within a few weeks of signing a contract, depending on the company’s calendar.

It depends on the size of the home and its contents. Many companies need at least a week to set up, advertise, and hold the sale. If you need it done faster, ask up front.

Terms vary by company. Many charge for time and expenses incurred up to cancellation, and some add a cancellation fee. Read the contract carefully before you sign.

Most companies post preview photos on their own websites and on estate sale listing sites such as EstateSales.net and EstateSales.org. Many also use email lists, social media, signs, and local print ads. Ask exactly where and how your sale will be promoted.

Most work on commission, a percentage of the sale’s gross receipts. There is no industry standard: some charge a flat percentage, and others use a sliding scale based on the size, difficulty, and location of the sale. Some companies cover costs up front and are reimbursed from the proceeds. Get every fee in writing before you sign.

Many reputable companies collect nothing up front and are paid from the sale proceeds under a written contract. If a company asks for money in advance, ask exactly what it covers.

Ask whether they carry liability insurance and how much, whether they can provide references, how many staff will work the sale, how security is handled, how prices are set, how the sale will be promoted, what happens to unsold items, and how and when you’ll be paid. Be cautious of anyone who promises a high dollar figure before the sale.

An experienced company knows secondary-market prices and researches unusual or valuable items. Used items usually sell for far less than their original retail price, so rely on the company’s pricing experience.

Not always. Some higher-value items may bring more through an online auction or a specialist buyer. Ask whether the company offers that service.

Options often include donation, a buyout, a clean-out service, or handling the remaining items yourself. Ask about these before signing so you know what’s included.

Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, visit a sale in progress to see how the company operates, and interview more than one. Consultations should be free. Be wary if someone offers to buy items during the consultation. Or call The Villages Estate Sales at (352) 436-8828, and we’ll help you connect with a company that serves your area.