🏠 Estate Sale

Finding Estate Sales

• EstateSales.net: Largest listing site, photos, dates, addresses
• EstateSales.org: Another major listing site
• Craigslist: "Estate sale" and "moving sale" searches
• Facebook: Local estate sale groups, company pages
• Newspaper classifieds: Old school but still used
• Driving neighborhoods: Signs on corners, especially in affluent areas

Timing Strategy

• Day 1 (Thursday/Friday): Best selection, full prices. Go if photos show high-value items.
• Day 2 (Saturday): Good selection, possibly 10-20% off. Best balance of selection/price.
• Day 3 (Sunday): Limited selection, 25-50% off. Bulk/volume buying.
• Final hours: "Make an offer" on anything left. Companies need to clear out.

Arrival Strategy

• Get there early: Lines form before doors open for good sales
• Number systems: Many sales give out numbers—arrive early to get low number
• Skip mediocre sales: Don't waste time on picked-over inventory

What to Look For

• Jewelry: Often underpriced, check cases carefully
• Vintage clothing: Closets, especially in older homes
• Art & frames: Original art, quality frames have value
• Kitchen: Cast iron, Pyrex, Le Creuset, vintage appliances
• Electronics: Vintage audio, cameras, video games
• Books: Entire shelves often available
• Tools: Garages and workshops, especially brand names
• Furniture: MCM, quality wood, designer pieces
• Collections: Coins, stamps, cards, memorabilia

Negotiating

• Bundle offers: "I'll take all of these for $X" often works
• End of day: More flexibility as sale winds down
• Cash talks: Some companies prefer cash for quick settlement
• Be respectful: Families are often dealing with loss—tact matters
• Build relationships: Regular buyers get preference, early access

Types of Sales

• Professional estate sales: Run by companies, organized, priced higher
• Family-run: Often underpriced, less organized
• Online estate auctions: MaxSold, Hibid, K-BID—bid from home
• Downsizing sales: Person moving to smaller space
• Moving sales: Family relocating—motivated sellers

Estate Sale Etiquette

• Follow the rules (number systems, room limits)
• Don't dig through items others are examining
• Ask before handling fragile items
• Respect the home and the family's situation
• Pay promptly—cash is king

📱 Tools

Track your running total with our Tape Calculator and find upcoming sales with the Sourcing Planner.