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wannavolunteerF's avatar
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016

Estate Sale Costs

Not fulltiming yet, but currently helping my mom downsize from 3 bdrm house that she has been in over 50 years to a small 1 bedroom apt. Many folks on here have suggested estate sales to ease the downsizing. I know of only one person in my mom's hometown who handles complete estate sales. He has told us, we will rent dumpster, he will clean out, sort, price and sale everything.. for 30% of proceeds.. does this sound like a reasonable rate?

I am planning to use this as a preview of my own downsizing to full=time in about 3 years. I will know what I am doing hopefully at that time.

Also any suggestions on helping mom, go through the things she needs to, without getting too wrapped around the history of every item in the house? Or will having history of things make sales easier? How much "help" do the estate sale folks really need?
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2016
    I think the pricing percentage will depend on what Mom has to sell. If it's a lot of stuff that isn't worth a lot and a lot of hours are spent cleaning or digging through things, then yes, I can see the 30%. How much is he likely to get vs. how much time is it going to take him? How much of Mom's stuff would you buy if this was someone else's sale and would you pay very much for it?

    If there's a lot of valuable things that will bring a decent amount of money, then 30% is too much.

    I don't think anyone would go through a complete household for 10%. Would you clean out your Mom's house and run a garage sale for 10% of what her "stuff" sells for?

    Bill
  • Jay_Pat's avatar
    Jay_Pat
    Explorer
    Mar 21, 2016
    If possible, move Mom and she should take what she wants or needs for the new place.
    Then deal with the rest. Try to avoid having her go thru everything. It could be hard(harder) for her to do that and let go.
    Don't know about estate sale.
    Good luck!
    Pat
  • tonymull's avatar
    tonymull
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    No, 10% or less is standard. Shop neighboring towns or farther, they travel. No town has enough estate sales to keep them busy.

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