We spoke with Nancy Sinovic, Owner of Blue Tape Estate Sales, to get the inside info on the best way to buy good furniture, clothing, jewelry, appliances, lawn equipment, and household goods – ESTATE SALES!
Here’s what she had to say: “The only thing that remains constant is change.”
That’s definitely true when your current home isn’t the right fit for this chapter in your family’s life. Job transfers, down- or upsizing, a parent moving, or a loved one’s passing. There is a lot to think about and process. What to keep, donate, pass on, or dispose of – not knowing where to start can be overwhelming!
Breathe. It all happens one step at a time, and one of the most important first steps is to call an estate sale company. Preferably Blue Tape Estate Sales, but fortunately, Kansas City has a good many estate sale companies – lucky you!
What is an estate sale? Give me the basics. Are there other options?
Estate sale professionals price, stage, photograph, and market the sale to reach as many potential shoppers as possible.
One of the most frequent and easiest to explain situations is when a family needs to downsize from the home in which they raised their kids to a smaller home or condo, and they just have too much stuff (don’t we all!). After you’ve moved, an Estate Sale company will come into your home with tables, table cloths, and stage it for the sale.
Research is done to make sure the prices reflect current market value and interest. They will take photographs and market the sale. Depending on the neighborhood and the contents of the home, a sale usually runs between two to three days, during which guests can purchase the contents of the home, with the estate sale company receiving a percentage of the profits (and possibly other fees). Depending on which company you choose, most will offer some sort of post-sale liquidation option. Much like Ellen’s rolodex, estate sale companies are very familiar with local movers, plumbers, handymen, trash guys, etc., to assist with pretty much anything that will make your transition so much simpler – huzzah!
Oftentimes, a home may not have enough for an Estate Sale, may be located in a neighborhood with very little parking, or face a variety of other challenges. In these cases, other options may include hiring a liquidator to coordinate donations and trash, an online estate sale, or possibly an auction. Your estate sale coordinator will determine your best option during a preview walk-through.
The Professional Difference (it matters)
Working with an estate sale company keeps the process smooth and maximizes financial return.
Anyone can have an estate sale, but there’s a world of difference between someone doing it themselves, asking a friend to help, and hiring a professional. You’ve got enough on your plate. Let the people with years of experience and tried-and-true processes ease the stress of an overwhelming task by turning it into a smooth, organized – and profitable – operation. The pros have their finger on how to market a sale through estate sale websites, social media, and established mailing lists. They also know how to market a sale through estate sale websites, social media, and established mailing lists. “If you build it, they will come,” but only if they know about it!
We can just do it ourselves
Nancy says, “Yes, you can, and some people do! My strong suggestion is that you contact an estate sale company first and get their input. If I come to your home I can regale you with stories that guests have shared about items they’ve purchased for next to nothing at a homeowner-run sale. On the other hand, just because a leather sofa was purchased 10 years ago for $10,000, doesn’t mean it’s worth half that now (ouch!) And I promise you that your Beanie Babies collection isn’t worth what you see ‘listed’ on eBay.”
Coordinators know what items are selling for, and a pro’s job is to glean as much profit as possible for you. Also, there are a lot of other things to consider: home/guest safety, market knowledge, handling payments, managing crowds, swift post-sale liquidation, among others.
Blue Tape Estate Sales & Service
With almost 20 years of “Providing Peace & Profit” to Kansas City families by “selling your stuff”, Blue Tape can help guide you in making the right decision for your home transition. If we’re not a good fit, we can recommend one of the other excellent estate sale liquidators, or connect you with other service providers that could possibly offer other options. Easy breezy. Know that an estate sale is more than simply selling the contents of a house. We help families navigate life changes, and sometimes difficult transitions, with dignity, care, and respect.
Call with any questions you may have about the process or your situation – I look forward to chatting with you!
