Estate Sales

The decision to sell or downsize one's personal property may be necessitated by retirement, relocation, divorce, or the combination of two households. If you are the executor of an estate, you may be responsible for liquidation of the contents of a relative's home. Whatever the situation, you may be overwhelmed by the decisions you face.

We offer counsel in making difficult choices of estate disposal while completing the sale in a timely and dignified manner. Some options include private liquidation, estate (tag) sale, or auction. Call Bonnie Rose to arrange for a free pre-sale consultation to determine the best sales method.

Our Clients find that we can increase sale proceeds, relieve them of the inconveniences of detailed planning, and follow through with the implementation of the sale.

Professional Estate Sale management will not only save you time and money, but will also take a tremendous burden off you and your family at what is usually a difficult time. With over 30 years experience in the antiques and appraisal businesses, we know how to make the process easier for you and at the same time maximize the return on the estate. We provide a complete service. Once the agreement is signed all you have to do is wait for the check to be delivered to you after the sale.

F.A.Q.s About Estate Sales

1. What is an estate sale?
An estate sale is the sale of personal property-furniture, china, antiques, books, pictures, and all household items.

2. How many items must I sell to be helped by your firm?
Sometimes we can put two small estates together or even one item can be sold on consignment.

3. How much does it cost?
Our fee is a percentage. Several factors aid in determining actual percentage including amount of preparation needed, type of items to be sold, etc.

4. Who determines the price?
The TEAM led by Ms. Rose. There may be occasions when you have an idea of what you want for particular items. We try to honor that request and ask you for a lower price from which we can negotiate. If we can sell your item at the orginal price, we will do so, but if gives us room to get the highest amount for your items that we can. In an estate sale, we price all items. We also encourage bids and with your permission sell the items on a bid basis. Since our fee is based on the total sale, it is to our advantage to sell your items at the highest possible price.

5. How is my property left after the sale?
All items are removed and the house is broom clean. Real estate agents often request our service because we help prepare the house for sale. Agents also like estate sales because more people will see the house during the estate sale than at any other time that the house is for sale. Often the house is sold during the sale! If an item does not sell, we offer several options for your consideration.

6. Do you offer other services?
We offer many seniour services for those who are downsizing. We can help you pack those things you want to keep, we may arrange for the move, we are able to help you unpack. We do all the little things of moving - ie. post office, telephone, drugstore, newspaper, and even set the alarm clock for you.

7. What do these extra services cost?
Some of them are included in the sale, others are on an hourly charge depending on the number of person hours taken.

8. How and when do I receive my money from the sale?
You receive your money in 45 days after the sale by certified or business check.

9. What are your qualifications?
Our team consists of a certified personal property appraiser, a bookkeeper, antique dealers, scholars, artists, sales specialists, and designers.

 

Why Should You Use A Professional To Conduct Your Estate Sale?

Our years of experience allow us to recognize items in an estate that otherwise maybe missed, and then to maximize your return.

"Years in the business" means we know the customers for different types of items and we are known and trusted by the buyers at estate sales.

We are not "emotionally" attached to the items and will therefore price items at a realistic level, which means we will sell more.

We know how to advertise your sale, and to bring out the most buyers and the right buyers.

We know what will sell and what will not. Individuals and families sometimes spend months sorting out an estate and in the process throw out items of value or sell items for too little. We can complete this process in a short amount of time.

We have a reputation for honesty and integrity and adhere to the "Code of Ethics of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America"

 

The following is a checklist of the services you can expect to receive from Bonnie Rose Appraisal Services "TEAM Estate Sales" when an estate/tag sale is called for.

Walk through, Scheduling and Agreement: Before any sale can be conducted, a walk through is required, a sales date must be decided, and a "Sales Agreement" must be signed. During the walk through items which are to be included in the sale will be identified.

Fees: There are no up-front costs involved. The TEAM Estate Sales works on a percentage of the total sales.

Lead Time: Estate Sales require advance preparation time that is unique to that sale. It is important to have enough lead time for advertising and publicity.

Sales Preparation: The TEAM will bring tables, tablecloths, locking display cabinets, shelving units, wrapping paper and sacks. Most items are priced individually, but occasionally there are prices by the "box lot" or "each item per...". Should your estate include exceptional or rare items, The TEAM Estate Sales will research the market place to determine where your items will achieve the highest yield. The TEAM is known for creating a visually beautiful, safe, and comfortable environment, making for an enjoyable shopping experience.

Advertising: The TEAM will create a sales page on our website, place newspaper advertising ads, send out mailers to our "snail mail" customers, and send an email announcement of your sale to our email subscribers. If the sale is small there may be shared advertising costs as specified in the Sales Agreement. During the sale, professional signs are posted that attract and direct customers to the sale.

Conducting the Sale: The TEAM has a core group of individuals available to set up, price, and/or work the sale on the sale dates, whichever the situation requires. Arriving at prices requires thoughtful and careful examination, research, location, quantity, quality and knowing the market. Reduced prices may be offered on the second, and sometimes third, days of the sale. There are no presales offered. Throughout the sale we may take bids on particular items from interested customers. If the item has not been sold by late in the day of the last sale day, we will contact the bidder and offer to sell the item to them at the bid price. Arrangements are made for supervision of pickup or deliver for large items. Broom cleaning of any area of the house used for the sale is included.

Disposal of items that are left: The items remaining after a sale are generally garage sale items, or items that have little or no desirability. The owner has the option to:

a) Dispose or retain those items on their own.

b) Donate the items to charity.

c) Arrange prior to the sale for The TEAM Estate Sales to dispose of the itmes or arrange for a buyout of all remaining contents or suggest various options to clear the house.

Sale of Real Estate: We are not Real Estate Brokers. However, many homes have sold because of our sales. Interested buyers can look at the home while they are there. It is a good idea to enlist a Real Estate Broker prior to the sale and have plenty of flyers regarding the house available during the sale.

Reference: We have an extensive list of satisfied customers. If you would like to have a reference, we will be happy to provide you with that information.

 

Headquartered in Asheville, NC, we serve businesses, professionals, and the general public in Western NC, Upstate SC, and Eastern Tennessee.