All About Estate Sales: Is It For You?

The Spirit & Space team regularly works with clients who are moving. We can help with everything from sorting, decluttering, and space planning to unpacking, creating organizational systems, and hanging pictures in the new space. When there are items of value to be sold, we work with local and national partners to get the best results for our clients, and host sales with local reselling partners when appropriate. We provide high-touch, personalized service, usually over the course of weeks or months as a client prepares for a move.

Sometimes you don't have weeks or months to get a home cleaned out. You need it done now. Or, you're responsible for cleaning out another person's home and the task feels overwhelming, especially on a tight timeframe. One option in that case might be an estate sale, which can be a very effective way to get rid of a lot of stuff. 

One of our professional partners is Flipside Estates. I recently asked Founder and CEO Jess Pittman to answer questions about estate sales that might be helpful as you consider your options. Flipside is in Indianapolis, but the information about how an estate sale typically works is helpful for those in other locations as well.

S&S: What are the best sellers at an estate sale 

Jess: Flipside has a strong customer base interested in antiques and vintage items, including Mid-Century Modern furniture, design-forward decor, original art, jewelry, quality clothing, and well-cared-for household items. Having key items will result in an overall successful sale, but we have a diverse buying crowd, so we make sure to capture the presence of both high-value items and everyday useful items in our advertisements with photos and an inventory list.

S&S: How much notice do you need to plan a sale?

Jess: Flipside is typically booked out for estate sale and online auction-based projects at least 1 to 2 months in advance. The best way to get the ball rolling when you're considering downsizing or managing a loved one's property is to schedule a free consultation. We just require 30-60 minutes of your time to assess the property's volume and value and discuss services we can offer to potential clients. Visiting the property and understanding the scope of the project will allow us to create a plan specific to you and your family's needs. 

S&S: Should I take the little stuff to Goodwill before a sale?

Jess: You may be surprised to learn how even the little things add value in an estate sale. You may also donate items that could be worth more than you expect! We also assist with donation services after an estate sale, so you don't have to put in the work in deciding what should go, packing, and transporting.

S&S: Do I have to be completely moved out before an estate sale?

Jess: We prefer to work with clients who have moved or completely separated their items from the contents being sold. We find our task of getting the sale organized goes more smoothly and is more time-efficient if we aren't working around items that are for sale and those that aren't. This allows us to focus on successfully managing the sale items and maximizing space to stage the home for a sale. When customers enter for an in-person sale, they typically expect all items to be available, and it can be confusing if items are present that are not part of the sale. 

S&S: How much stuff do I have to have to make an estate sale worth it?

Jess: To achieve great results for both parties, we appreciate seeing at least $8,000 in value at a home for an in-person estate sale or a curated online auction project. Flipside brings years of expert experience with an established team, a dedicated marketing plan, and a curated plan that gets your home cleared, cleaned, and ready for the next step. If you have a smaller project that fits more into our consignment-based program, we're happy to take on items of greater value and assist you with getting the other items to the right places.

S&S How does a sale work?

Jess: We begin the organizing, staging, marketing, and inventorying process at least a week and a half before your estate sale to allow enough time for advertising purposes. Customers will shop a sale typically on Friday and Saturday, with items marked at firm prices on Day One and half off on Day Two. Some items of exceptional value will remain at a firm price or with a little extra incentive to the buyer at 10-25% off. We have professional signage to lead customers from the entrance of the neighborhood to the property. We run a very organized sale with proper signage about price points, allow a certain number of customers into the space according to square footage and value, and keep high-value items locked in a display cabinet. We provide holding tables for our customers so we can keep our eyes on valuable items and, of course, keep customers' hands free for shopping! We accept cash and cards with an efficient electronic checkout system for smooth transactions. We even provide basic packing material as an incentive to purchase items that may be breakable!

S&S: What happens to the stuff that doesn't sell?

Jess: Items that hold a higher value and fit our criteria for our retail spaces will be considered for consignment after an estate sale. Flipside specializes in vintage and antique collectibles, home decor, select furniture, quilts, vintage and designer fashion items, original art, coins, jewelry, and vintage toys. Items are sold on a three-month contract with designated price reductions each month they remain. Items are available in our retail spaces at the Flipside Showroom in Fountain Square, Southport Antique Mall, Yellow Moon Antique Mall, and our online shop.  We also partner directly with St. Vincent De Paul for donation pickups – we get it all packed, scheduled, and even assist in loading the truck so usable items can be utilized and appreciated longer. For items that cannot be donated, we can arrange trash removal with a dumpster or a trash removal team. 

S&S: What's the average amount clients earn from estate sales?

 Jess: Our clients have always received money back after everything is completed. Flipside operates on a sliding-scale commission: the client receives a higher percentage the better their sale does. Most of our clients take advantage of our post-sale services, such as donation, trash removal, electronic recycling, toxic material removal, and light to deep cleaning, hiring one team to handle it all while using the proceeds from their sale to cover the cost. Our goal is to get the client as much back in value as we can based on our expert pricing, valued customer base, and consignment extension for higher-value items that may deserve a little extra time and marketing. A client's success is our success, so we want to do our best on every project we take on!

Not sure what’s right for you? I’m happy to talk through the options with you!