“Help! I need a sale fast”

estate sale

Apr 11

Things can move quickly in the land of real estate. Especially these days with houses going on the market and off the market in the same day. There is a sense of urgency that takes place when the chaos ensues of offers and closing dates and inspections etc.

In some cases, homeowners also want to add an estate sale to the mix and thus we have ourselves a conundrum.

An estate liquidator should be one of the first companies you call rather than a realtor.

Let me explain.

A realtor is motivated to get a home show ready and on the market. That is their job and area of expertise. They also operate in a very fast paced world (see point above). In the case of adding in an estate sale, some realtors may not be familiar with project timelines and availability for liquidators throughout the area.

Instead of rushing to the MLS, it is in your best interest to contact a liquidator first.

You will want to identify two things:

Their availability for the next month or so
Their process and timeline

These should be factored into the equation when looking at the date to list and the date to move.

This is not a normal real estate transaction and that is okay. It is okay for it to a go little slower. It is okay for there to be a few more steps in the process.

It is okay to ask the realtor to slow down.

We have heard from some realtors in the past that slowing down to sell some lamps and linens is not worthwhile to them or the client.

We understand this completely. The majority of the funds will be generated from the sale of the property, not the lamps and household wares. In that case, the most effortless option would be to donate. There are many wonderful charities and churches that would love to become the recipient of your items.

However, you may find yourself really drawn to the notion of selling. There is a level of respect that comes with hiring a company to sort, price, market, and host a sale on your behalf (or your family’s). The things within any home did not just accumulate overnight and they often weave together the pages of a very personal story. Perhaps your story.

Discarding it without offering it up for sale? Well sometimes it feels wasteful, lazy, and careless. You were such a good steward of those items for all those years. Perhaps it is time to find another good steward.

You certainly don’t have to hire a liquidator to sell your belongings, but I want to encourage you to read this example of why it is recommended.

So what about our process? What is it and why does it matter?

I’m here to tell you it is not a flash in the pan process. We spend time with each client and each home prepping it for a sale.

Setting up an estate sale requires a minimum of two weeks.

Marketing requires another two weeks. And pricing? Well it is a full time job leading up to the sale.

But does it matter?

We wholeheartedly believe that it does! We spend that time sorting through everything in the home to identify what is sellable, what should be donated, and what is simply trash.

Sounds easy to the ears. It is certainly easy to type. But in real life, it is messy hard work that pays dividends to you, the client, each and every time.

You are likely to find any Tom, Dick, or Harry that will offer their services during a 911 emergency of having a sale fast! Will you pleased? Only time will tell.

How pleased are you with a dinner that you cooked from scratch at home compared to the meal you grabbed in the fast food line?

Good results take time and there is no rushing it.