9 Tips to Hiring a Professional Estate Sale Company
Paul Williamson – February 10, 2023
Paul Williamson – February 10, 2023
Buying a house and living in it for many years is a memorable and emotional experience where you have seen the good and bad days of your life. But when you decide to move on from one place to another all the back flashes come to mind of those years spent. You are dealing with a lot here and possessions are one of the key things you will take with you or sell if it’s not of use anymore.
If you have been thinking about hiring an estate sale company then it’s the right decision. They can help you a lot, the burden and stress of organizing things and hosting an estate sale is too much to handle for anyone. Rather than doing it all by yourself, a good professional on your side can alleviate the burden and give you mental peace in all the chaos. Before you hire a company it is essential to know about them whether they are legit, trustworthy, or not. It won’t be just a walk, they will be spending hours inside your house so without any proper research about the company you will be in a tight spot.
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A simple way to begin is by searching online “estate sale companies” obviously you will see a lot of results on the web and you might get overwhelmed. Ask your friends, relatives, and anyone in your circle if they know a reputable company, this won’t cost you a penny but you may get some useful suggestions if they have been in the same position as yours.
Registered companies in your area can be easily found on The American Society of Estate Liquidators website, company’s history is another important factor to consider; use Better Business Bureau to find any complaints regarding the company, and any legal issues. There is another method to do this, look for local estate sales Lake Forest that are happening, take a ride, attend them, and see how companies are managing the events, which ones are good, and who to avoid.
To choose a good estate sale company near you, start by asking friends and family members for references. Alternatively, look for companies online. Sites like EstateSales.net and Estatesales.org let you locate firms locally or will contact them for you. You’ll want to be sure any company you hire is bonded and carries liability insurance. (1)
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Once you have gathered a list of companies that you think are a good fit for this job, it’s time to dig deeper and visit their website, social media, or any other platform where they are actively representing themselves. Keep an eye on testimonials as these tell you a lot about what other homeowners have felt while working with them. A legit estate sales company includes reviews for creating authenticity and trust.
There isn’t any kind of regulation that monitors estate sale companies, what does it mean? It’s on you to get into further inspection and details about the company’s qualifications and references. Have a chat with people who have hired them in the past and what was their experience while working with them. If you find it difficult to communicate with other customers ask an estate sale company for references that you could talk to easily.
Insurance coverage can be of use here, you can cut down some costs that will be your responsibility to pay and if a company carries insurance, it’s a plus point. However, estate sale companies aren’t obliged to carry insurance at all but most professionals do offer coverage. What type of insurance do they have and who is eligible to be covered? In most cases, estate sales occur on private property, so it is best to check homeowner’s insurance is paid up to date and still active. These professionals will be entering your home, and owning your possessions carefully, so it is essential to make sure they have all their necessary documents like liability insurance and policies. If anything goes wrong you are insured against the company’s mistakes.
When you are about to meet them in person, this is the time you discuss everything in more detail. Especially about how long they have been in the industry and what results they have achieved in that time period. What the process looks like, how they manage things, and any other questions related to estate sales Huntington Beach CA. Don’t hesitate to ask, and get a clear understanding of what to expect when you hire them. Knowing expertise and experience is necessary otherwise you will be hitting the luck of a draw. It is always good to clear any confusions you have in mind before making any deal.
Every home carries different items, and hence cost varies depending on what is being sold. This whole process isn’t a matter of a few minutes; it will take hours and days to finish sorting, organizing, pricing, setting up the sale, advertising it, and cleaning up afterward. Every company has its own protocols so make sure you are asking for a detailed estimate regarding cost including services fees and other hidden costs that may come in between. Ask for an estimate that outlines the fees and services so you know what your financial obligations are. Some companies might not mention hidden charges at first but you have to know about every single expense that’s going to cost you eventually.
Simple products aren’t a big deal; anyone can cash them but what about antiques, artwork, furniture, and other valuables? They are quite something and hold significance in the market. A professional estate sale company won’t just give away these items but will be able to provide you with a better understanding of the value that can be gained from them. Some homeowners don’t have such an idea and they end up losing money on those items. This knowledge is necessary when you are planning for an estate sale as it is about preserving wealth, so only go for companies that have expertise in this particular field.
A sale is over, now someone needs to take care of the remaining items. Who’s going to do it? You don’t want to be in a situation where you are left with a mess and no resources for disposal or donation services. Most estate sale companies provide cleanout services which include donation, disposal, and recycling of what’s left after the sale. You will be able to get rid of everything that was not sold in an ethical manner. Ask them about their post-sale cleanout services and make sure it is mentioned in the estimate, you don’t want to end up paying more in the end.
Read the contract thoroughly and you understand every single detail. Usually, estate sale companies take between 25% to 50% of the total proceeds as their fee. The contract must outline the payment process, sorting, tagging, staging, and clean-up. Don’t sign if anything is unclear unless it is explained. Both parties should be aware of who is going to take care of what and when. True Legacy Homes always pave the way for a win-win situation and honor each point of the deal at estate sales in Huntington Beach, CA.
Nothing should be kept away from you or be left verbal. Every single detail must be written in a contract, such as the time to set up and stage items, when the sale will start, etc. It is all about making sure there are no confusions later on. If any deadlines or requirements are missed by either side then they are to be mentioned clearly. Stay organized and aware of your rights if something goes wrong. Deadlines, requirements, payments, invoices, evaluations; everything should be listed clearly for both parties to have a record of it.
Paul is the founder and CEO of True Legacy Homes, a company that specializes in estate sales. True Legacy Homes is a full-service estate sale company that offers clients a stress-free way to downsize, move, or liquidate their assets. The company’s mission is to help families preserve their legacies and pass on cherished possessions to the next generation.