6 Things to Know Before Your Estate Sale (If You’ve Hired a Pro)

1. Don’t Declutter Too Soon

It’s tempting to start donating or tossing items before we arrive, but please don’t! What might appear to be “junk” could be surprisingly valuable to collectors or resellers. Let our team assess everything first. We often find hidden gems where clients least expect them.

2. Do Remove Items Not for Sale (Clearly)

Go ahead and take out anything you want to keep—or mark it “Not For Sale” with painter’s tape or tags. If you leave sentimental or personal items mixed in, they may be priced and sold by mistake. It's best to remove these completely from the home when possible.

3. Don’t Try to Stage or Price Items Yourself

That’s our job! We professionally stage rooms for maximum buyer interest and price items based on market data and past sales, not emotional value. What you think might be a $5 item could be worth $100 (or vice versa).

4. Do Give Us Full Access

We’ll need access to all areas of the home being included in the sale—closets, cabinets, drawers, and garages. If something is off-limits, let us know ahead of time. Otherwise, we may organize, display, and price everything we find.

5. Don’t Schedule Repairs, Cleaners, or Movers Right Before the Sale

It’s important that the home stays as-is while we’re working. Cleaning crews, contractors, or movers can disrupt the setup process or interfere with item placement. Wait until after the sale unless we advise otherwise.

6. Do Trust the Process

Our team is experienced in maximizing value, attracting the right buyers, and handling everything with care. It may feel strange to let someone else take the reins, but you hired us for a reason. We’ve got this.

🧭 Final Thought

Think of this as a team effort. When clients give us space to work, keep unsold personal items out of the mix, and avoid last-minute changes, the result is smoother, more successful, and less stressful for everyone.