A very high percentage of the calls I receive from those ready to down-size their homes end with the same statement, “Our kids have no interest in our stuff!” It is sad to face that reality that no one wants the things that you once wanted so much.
So, what do you do? There is no set answer to that question, as every household is unique unto itself. Location, marketability, quality and quantity of your items all come into play. To help you get started, let’s take a look at the options available.
YARD SALE — This can be quite an undertaking, but, if you have a nice selection of low to medium priced items it can be worth the time. It is important to remember that the words “yard sale” imply that you can stop by with $20 and take home several things. Brand name clothing and designer bags in gently used condition, books, IKEA type furniture, toys, home decor and general household and garage items are excellent choices for this selling option. I would strongly recommend that you not use this venue for fine antique furniture and valuable collectibles. It has been the experience of many that these items do not sell well and they often get damaged from being handled by “shoppers” who are only curious, not serious. For maximum exposure try to tether onto a neighborhood sale whenever possible. You will draw a larger crowd and because one sale feeds off another, you will most likely sell more of your merchandise. Whether as a neighborhood or on your own, advertise well and price your items reasonably.
FACEBOOK SALE SITES — Neighborhood sale groups on Facebook have become very popular over the past four years and can be an excellent way to dispose of yard sale type items if you do not have enough for an actual yard sale. Clear photos, an accurate description and market-appropriate pricing are the keys to success online. Your post should include 2-3 good close pictures of your item, including a shot of any damage and a brief, but detailed description. Include dimensions when selling furniture and home decor pieces, sizes for clothing and an accurate assessment of condition. Pick up is done either at the home of the seller or at a meeting place convenient to both the seller and the buyer. It is a given that buyers are under no obligation to take an item when they see it in person if it is not what they believed it to be. Always monitor your posts to keep abreast of questions and offers and remove the item once it sells or has been posted for 7-10 days
AUCTION — For full house estates or major down-sizing the most profitable form of liquidation, in many cases, will be consignment into a local auction. Auctions work on a percentage of the total sale in exchange for which most will take care of packing, hauling, storage, research (if needed), advertising and providing staff to conduct your sale. Some auctions will charge additional fees such as hard copy advertising, pick up/gas fees, per ticket charge etc. Always ask to make certain that the percentage you are quoted is all-inclusive. While most any established auction can handle general household appliances and furnishings, you will want to shop around if you are selling antiques and fine collectibles. Select a couple of well established companies in your area and attend their auctions to acquaint yourself with how they handle these specialized items.
The downsizing process can be overwhelming. Selecting the proper form of liquidation to suit your needs is the best way to lessen the stress and calm the chaos. Until next time…Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com