Estate Sales: Hiring a Professional vs. Doing It Yourself

Estate sales can be an overwhelming process, whether you're downsizing, handling a loved one's belongings, or simply looking to liquidate a collection. The big question many sellers face is: Should you hire a professional estate sale company or take on the challenge yourself?

With decades of experience attending estate sales as a shopper and now running estate sales ourselves, we’ve seen both sides of the process. To gain deeper insight, we are speaking with our mentor, Karen Lee, a third-generation antiques dealer and estate sale expert, to explore the pros and cons of hiring a professional versus managing an estate sale on your own.

What to Expect When Hiring a Professional Estate Sale Company\

Hiring an estate sale company takes the heavy lifting off your shoulders. Professionals handle everything from pricing to advertising, crowd control, and even the final clean-up. Here are some key benefits:

1. Expertise in Pricing and Valuation

Estate sale professionals have extensive knowledge of antiques, collectibles, and market trends. They know how to price items appropriately to maximize sales while ensuring fair market value. As Karen Lee puts it, “A professional understands what’s truly valuable versus what just seems valuable.”

2. Marketing and Attracting the Right Buyers

Professionals have established networks of buyers, collectors, and dealers. They use social media, email lists, and estate sale listing sites to ensure your sale gets maximum visibility.

3. Efficient Organization and Set-Up

An estate sale company stages items in a way that encourages buyers to shop. They handle inventory, create signage, and ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the sale.

4. Handling Negotiations and Crowd Management

Running an estate sale means managing large crowds, negotiating prices, and keeping the event organized. Professionals know how to handle tough customers, prevent theft, and keep things moving efficiently.

5. Stress-Free Experience

The emotional toll of managing a loved one’s estate can be overwhelming. A professional company allows you to step back from the process while ensuring that everything is handled with care and professionalism.

The Challenges of Running an Estate Sale Yourself

While doing an estate sale yourself might seem like a way to save money, there are significant challenges:

1. Time and Effort

Running an estate sale isn’t just a weekend job—it requires weeks of preparation. Pricing, organizing, advertising, and handling inquiries all take time and effort.

2. Lack of Pricing Knowledge

Without experience, it’s easy to underprice valuable items or overprice common ones, leading to lost profits or unsold inventory.

3. Limited Marketing Reach

Estate sale professionals have access to dedicated buyers. A DIY approach may struggle to attract serious shoppers without the right marketing channels.

4. Managing Negotiations and Logistics

Haggling over prices, handling large crowds, and preventing theft can be exhausting. Without experience, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

5. Clean-Up and Leftovers

A professional company can handle clean-up and even arrange donation pickups for unsold items. If you do it yourself, you’ll need a plan for what to do with leftover items.

So, Should You Hire a Professional?

If you have valuable antiques, a large estate to liquidate, or limited time, hiring a professional is often the best choice. However, if you have a small sale and are prepared to invest time and effort, a DIY estate sale could be an option.

If you’re considering hiring an estate sale company, reach out to us for a free consultation! We are always here to help! Stay tuned for our podcast episode featuring Karen Lee for more insights.

As always, Stay Golden!

-Sharifah & Viv