what sells best at estate sales

Seek out deals on a surprising number of sought-after items, vintage and otherwise

• Art. If you have bare walls, estate sales can be a great place to pick up some nicely framed art. ...
• Books. Sadly, books are not in demand — unless they're first editions. ...
• Cleaning supplies. ...
• CorningWare. ...
• Fashion. ...
• Fire-King glassware. ...
• Furniture. ...
• Kitchen appliances. ...
• Tools. ...
• Toys. ...

Full Answer

What are the best estate sale items to buy?

Mar 03, 2020 · If you’re wondering what sells at estate sales, think broadly. You can find everything from fine china, and valuable works of art to stunning jewels , dishware, and glassware. Some of the best items to buy at an estate sale include designer or vintage clothing (many of which are generally offered at fifty percent of the retail price), vintage baubles and home decor, …

Is it harder to sell vintage at estate sales?

For example, good luck selling the following hard to sell estate sale items: China. China cabinets. Crystal. Decorative glass. Stemware. Upright pianos & organs. “Brown” furniture. Collectible figurines like Hummels, Precious Moments, or Lladros.

Can you sell jewelry at estate sales?

Jul 03, 2019 · It's hard to find fine jewelry—gold or silver—at an estate sale because those items tend to sell privately before the sale. However, there is a lot of vintage costume jewelry that can be worth some serious cash. Look for signed pieces and those that are made with quality materials like crystal and glass.

Should you buy furniture at estate sales?

Gaming Systems and Video Games. Again we discuss the reason why this will be hot in our list. Gaming systems and video games and controllers that used to sell for a couple of bucks are selling much higher. An example is Wii Sports that used …

What is typically sold at an estate sale?

Estate sales are often overflowing with furniture, home furnishings, and assorted household items. Buyers may also discover artwork and fine jewelry. Antique dealers and private collectors flock to estate sales in search of antiques and collectibles from varied eras.Apr 13, 2020

How do estate sales make money?

10:5817:57How to make money buying at estate sales. Vintage & Retro ItemsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipResearch books or history books some of the fiction. Stuff you just have to really scan them or lookMoreResearch books or history books some of the fiction. Stuff you just have to really scan them or look them up but always go through the book section I see a lot of books go on.

What is the best month to have an estate sale?

Winter may just be THE BEST time to hold an estate sale. During spring and summer there hundreds of Garage Sales or Yard Sales to compete with in the winter. There are also fewer estate sales companies doing sales, which leaves us (and you) on a pinnacle.Nov 11, 2015

How do you plan a successful estate sale?

Planning an Estate Sale? 10 Simple Tips for Netting More CashTake inventory of the items you want to sell. ... price items strategically. ... Get professional appraisals for items of value. ... Decide if anything is worth a quick fix. ... Consider temporary storage. ... Hold Your Estate Sale On a Weekend Day.More items...•Sep 7, 2020

How do I hold an estate sale?

How to Hold an Estate Sale by YourselfCreate and Sort Your Inventory. Before determining the date and time of your sale, decide on your inventory. ... Prepare Your Estate Sale Inventory. ... Price Your Items. ... Display Your Items for Sale. ... Set Yourself Up for Purchases. ... Take Security Measures. ... Check Local Restrictions. ... Advertise.

What should you not sell at a garage sale?

Garage sales are full of incredible finds, but these items are probably best left behind.Hidden Treasure or Safety Hazard? 1/9. ... Car Seats. 2/9. ... Cosmetics. 3/9. ... Cribs. 4/9. ... Mattresses. 5/9. ... Bike Helmets. 6/9. ... Nonstick Pans. 7/9. ... Running Shoes. 8/9.More items...

Are Sunday garage sales successful?

Sundays are a tad more successful at the very start of the yard sale season (March/April, depending on where you live) because people who like to go to yard sales are so eager to get out there and shop again!

What are the best hours for a garage sale?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings are usually the best time to hold your garage sale. Here's an insider garage sale tip: Consider scheduling it on the first weekend of the month—a lot of paychecks go out at the end of the month, so people will have cash to spend.Sep 24, 2021

How do I advertise an estate sale on Facebook?

First, select “Marketplace” from the options in your newsfeed. Then, select “sell something.” Click “category” and then “garage sale.” Under the description that says “what are you selling?”, write the details of your sale, including the time and date along with a few items you have for sale.Jan 22, 2022

What items can be priced reasonably at sales?

Don’t forget the kitchen collectibles as well. Things like ice cream scoops and cookie cutters can be priced reasonably at sales.

Can you buy books for less than the library?

These can be a treasure trove for the avid reader, with more common hardcover books as well as paperbacks selling for pennies on the dollar. You can literally buy books for less than it would cost to drive to the library. Some of them, however, can be worth quite a bit more than their original price.

Is it better to buy second hand or garage sale?

It's no news that buying second-hand can be a great budget booster. Estate sales can offer an entire house filled with goods ranging from gently used vintage to new-in-the-box everything imaginable. Sure, you have to stand in line to get in for the first shot at the deals, and haggling for a better price isn't quite as easy as garage sale shopping.

Can costume jewelry be sold in the same way as gold?

There are also usually many people clamoring for these pieces, so you may have to stand in line and knock elbows to see them as they are shown one at a time from a showcase. Costume jewelry, if it’s of the high-end variety, can be sold in the same way as gold and diamond jewelry because the prices can be comparable.

What are some collectibles that are hard to find?

Another collectible that’s hard to get rid of is the German-made Hummel. However, there are some that are rare or hard-to-find that still retain most of their original value, like the Ring Around the Rosie. Others worth buying are the Little Old Man Reading a Newspaper, Chick Girl, and Apple Tree Boy.

What games can make money from vintage Nintendo?

Still, some of the vintage Nintendo games can still make cash, like Samson, Bucky O’Hare, and Power Blade 2. 18.

What are some things that are worth a dime a dozen?

1. Coins . While lots of coins are a dime a dozen, some can be worth quite a bit if you you stumble across the right ones. Be on the lookout for mercury dimes, the 10 cent pieces made in the US between 1917 and 1945 which can fetch a pretty penny. 2.

How much did the Millennium Falcon sell for?

Keep an eye out especially for toys from the LEGO Star Wars line, like this Millennium Falcon that sold for over 10,000 dollars !

Is Halloween costume good for resale?

Halloween Costumes. Halloween costumes can be scary expensive, especially the closer you get to October 31. Luckily, many have decent resale value. Estate sales are great places to find old costumes, and since most of the time they’re only worn once, they’re usually in pretty good condition.

Is Star Wars a big deal?

In case you hadn’t heard, Star Wars is a pretty big deal and with more films slated for production, it doesn’t look like the fad will fade out any time soon. Use the force to find Star Wars collectibles at estate sales – some are worth a fortune!

Is Lladros hard to sell?

While Lladros have a reputation for being hard to sell, there are still a few pieces that can be sold for a hefty sum, especially if that model has been retired or is from Disney, like Tinker Bell below. Other Lladros to watch out for: Any with Don Quixote, the Dancing Ganesha, and Swing into Spring. 5.

What happens if you don't clear your hard drive before selling?

If that isn’t cleared before selling to rid it of personal information, you could be held liable for what that hard drive contains and how it is used in the future. Used/Retired Baby Gear – toss it! Used baby items can be sold to a limited extent.

Is it illegal to sell ivory?

Antique ivory, if proven to be so, is not illegal to sell. However, some states like New York say that it is illegal no matter what.

Can you sell used baby items?

Used baby items can be sold to a limited extent. For example, antique cribs are popular for collectors and used clothing is a great way for a new family to save money. However, the line is drawn at items used to ensure the safety of the child. These items include car seats, cribs, toys and high chairs, just to name a few.

What is estate sales?

Estate sales, often held on-site, are public sales of the personal property contained within a household. Photo by Matthew Daniels on Unsplash.

Who manages estate sales?

According to the National Estate Sales Association, estate sales generally: Are managed by estate sale companies or liquidators if they are more complex or valuable. Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash. If you’re wondering what sells at estate sales, think broadly.

How much did Zsa Gabor sell for?

More recently, nearly every lot in the Lee Radziwill Christie’s estate sale sold for a total of $1.2 million in October of 2019. One of the items auctioned for $50,000 was ...

What was Zsa Gabor's estate worth?

Among items sold was a “Dah-ling” nameplate diamond necklace for $20,000, Gabor’s passport for $4,250 and sketches she’d drawn while at her trial for slapping a Beverly Hills cop in 1989 ($2,125).

How much did Anthony Bourdain's knife sell for?

Of the 202 items up for sale, the most expensive was Bourdain’s custom Bob Kramer chef’s knife, which sold for $231,250.

How much commission do estate sales make?

For example, estate sale professionals can ask for 20 cents on the dollar or may instead make a consignment arrangement whereby they would make a 35 percent commission. If estate sale companies are ensuring that all items will be sold, they often won’t accept anything less than a 40 percent commission.

What are the three D's of estate sales?

The Three D’s: Death, Debt and Divorce. Families or individuals, wherever they might own property, may hold estate sales after major life events. Some of the most common catalysts for estate sales include death, divorce, downsizing or moving, or filing for bankruptcy. Other major life events may also call for an estate sale, ...

SUSHEE PERUMAL Follow

The dining table which someone paid dearly for doesn't bring much money these days - a quick trip to a consignment store will tell you that. What brings in big money are things families maybe throwing out or donating unaware of value, or even items overlooked by antique appraisers.

Laura Morrison

LOL I totally tripped over "sewer" -- at first wondering why on earth you would store fabrics in the sewer???? I understand why folks may not like seamstress anymore, perhaps we're stuck with couturier/couturière?

RDO Trust

Congratulations. Hats off to MaxSold team. Professional approach of the team under dynamic leadership of Sushee will take Maxsold to highest position very soon.

Wendy Bowen

There is no doubt I'm my mind MaxSold is spot-on in the industry. Vintage is hot right now. We can also sell the back stock of paper goods at your auction too. That's the appeal of a MaxSold auction. We can sell just about everything for you.

What to do if your furniture doesn't sell?

Be Charitable. Of course, in the end, if items don’t sell, you can always donate them (especially the brown furniture) to places like your local church or nonprofit thrift shop—or even the bigger guys like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity.

Why won't someone buy a bigger item?

Often times, someone won’t buy a bigger item because they have no way to get it home. If you can’t offer delivery, allow for delayed pickup times, so buyers can find a way to haul items. If you have a truck available, you can charge extra for labor and gas.

What is the little thing in business called?

The little things, known in the business as “smalls, ” can start to add up and can in fact offset the value of the bigger items you weren’t able to sell.

Is it harder to sell vintage items?

Some estate sale items are harder to sell than others. Selling vintage can be fickle. Location matters, depending on the region, city, or even neighborhood you’re in—because what’s hot in one area might be uncool in another.

What are the most valuable things in the garage?

Perhaps some of the most valuable items that pop up in garages and attics are famous pieces of art. You might not uncover a sketch by Pablo Picasso, but any original, signed piece of art is worth researching. Keep an eye out for oil paintings, advertising posters, and drawings.

Do you put a sign up sheet on the door the night before an estate sale?

Some companies will put a sign-up sheet on the door the night before and let people in the sale in bunches. The higher up you are on the list, the better chance you'll have of finding a deal. Don't worry if you can't make it to the first day of an estate sale.

Is an antique book worth money?

Not all antique books are worth a lot of money, but some can be worth a fortune. Look out for leather bound books or books that are signed on the cover pages. First editions or limited editions tend to sell for good money as well.

Is an old toy worth anything?

Old vintage and antique toys are highly collectible and can be worth tons of money to the right buyer. These items tend to do well in online auctions when they can reach the right market. Sometimes old toys go unnoticed in an estate sale, so you have a chance of scoring a bargain. Research toys that are in good condition, made of metal and wood.

Is vinyl record worth it at estate sales?

The vinyl record market is back in full swing, and some musicians are putting out new albums on vinyl. With that said, it's still a very common item at estate sales. Most sell for one or two dollars, but there are those rare albums that could be worth thousands. Do a little research to see what is a hot item and then keep your eye out for these when you're shopping estate sales.

Is it hard to find gold at an estate sale?

It's hard to find fine jewelry—gold or silver—at an estate sale because those items tend to sell privately before the sale. However, there is a lot of vintage costume jewelry that can be worth some serious cash. Look for signed pieces and those that are made with quality materials like crystal and glass.

Is an antique signed item worth more than an unsigned item?

Any antique that is signed tends to be worth more than unsigned items. Keep an eye out for common and uncommon signatures on glassware and lamps like Tiffany, Quezal, or Lalique. It might take a long time to familiarize yourself with specific manufacturers, but this knowledge is essential if you want to find hidden treasures.

Why are people looking for items?

People are looking for items to help keep them and their families entertained at home. They are also looking for items they would normally purchase in-store, but will purchase used to save money. Here are just a few items that will be hot this summer.

Do blowers sell quickly?

blowers. These items are more will sell quickly if they are in excellent condition and priced to sell. If some of these items are broken but fixable, they have a chance Again make sure that these items are cleaned and priced well.

Do name brand clothes sell fast?

Many people love name brand clothing, and if they find it at a great price at your yard sale, you are going to sell them. This item you want to make sure you display them well, and this will give people a better view of your item. Name brand kids’ clothing will sell pretty fast too if priced correctly.