Estate Sale Checklist:

• ​Make contact with an estate sale liquidator as soon as possible to check availability. It can take two weeks or more to prepare and advertise a sale.
• Schedule an onsite meeting to discuss your needs so the liquidator can evaluate the property and discuss your options. Ask about their experience, their sales procedures, insurance, and memberships. Make sure you are comfortable with them.
• Don’t throw anything away! Just because something is old and dirty doesn’t mean it’s not valuable.  Let the liquidator determine what has value and what is trash. Just remove items not being sold, personal items, pictures and family mementos, tax documents and records, and checkbooks.
• Verify with the neighborhood or homeowners’ association that an estate sale open and advertised to the general public is allowed at the premises.
• Decide what items you want to liquidate. If liquidating items belonging to another owner, have the legal and binding documentation which authorizes and authenticates your right to liquidate the items. Documentation may include, but are not limited to: Power of Attorney, Will, Letters of Testamentary, or Letters of Administration.
• If possible, gather receipts, appraisals, any historical or family history that relate to the items being liquidated. If there are any items of particular value, bring them to the attention of the liquidator and provide any information or documentation available.
• If a vehicle, boat, or trailer is to be sold, have the title and registration available.
• Document all items to be excluded from the sale, including fixtures and appliances. Make arrangements to have excluded items removed from the premises prior to the setup being started.
• Keep homeowner’s liability insurance in place. Ensure there will be electricity, water, heating, and air conditioning at the premises.
• Selling the house? Discuss the timing of the sale relative to marketing the property. The liquidator may have restrictions on showing the house during setup and sale; however, your realtor may want to have flyers available at the sale. If the house is under contract, be sure the sale and any clean out of the property will occur prior to closing.
• Consider what should be done with items remaining after the sale. Donations, post-sale transactions, and clean outs should be addressed in the contract.
• ALWAYS get it in writing. Be sure everything you agree to is spelled out in the contract.
• Once you have chosen your liquidator and set a date, step back and let the professionals do their job! If you have questions or concerns, feel free to ask. Communication is key to a successful sale.