Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning

By Serena Simoes and Cori Cluchey

Since introducing estate sales to our clients in 2021, they have boomed with popularity. These sales allow our clients to get a head start on the moving process, promote a more sustainable way of shopping, and leave with a little extra cash in their pocket.

And as people who have hosted many estate sales in our time with DeLeon Realty, we know firsthand how effective they can be and the work that must be done to ensure their success. In fact, we now have dedicated employees who assist with estate sales at no additional cost to our sellers.

If you think an estate sale may be right for you, here are a few tips to get you started: always say that if it is “junk” to you but still in good condition, add it to your estate sale inventory— after all, one person’s junk may be another person’s treasure!

Items that we have found more difficult to sell are often large or too heavy. Bedframes, big couches, desks, etc., must be in superb condition at a great price point in order to reach any general interest.

Not everyone has a truck to transport the items from one place to another. Luckily, here at DeLeon Realty, our clients have access to our moving van which has been essential at our estate sales and is often the deciding factor if a shopper wishes to purchase a large item.

Organization is key

Getting started in your organizational process might be the hardest part. It’s important to be very distinct on what is for sale and what is not, and we often encourage people to physically move items for sale into a certain room in order to keep them separate. DeLeon Realty has many racks and shelving units available to make this process easier and more attractive.

What are good items to sell?

The short answer is that estate sale shoppers love browsing the entire home and looking at all available items that are in good-to-new condition. Furniture such as coffee tables, patio sets, side tables, lounge chairs, TV stands, dining sets, and ottomans do very well. But sometimes, the best finds are small. These items may include toys, jewelry, clothes, shoes, utensils, cooking ware, Christmas decor, tools, plants, and more. We

Another way to efficiently separate items is with color coding. Using neon-colored post-it notes or stickers can help you separate items by price. Create a price range you are comfortable with--but remember, people are looking for a good deal and items should be priced to sell. Lower prices will not only attract more people when you advertise, it will also maximize your success in clearing out the extra knick-knacks in your home. Higher priced items may be better left to an appropriate consignment center that specializes in that type of art, rug, or furniture.

Hosting the sale

Estate sales are usually cash-only, but we have learned that having an alternative payment method is always a good idea. This broadens your audience and invites