Estate Sale Process

–Phone Consultation Phone Consultation is the initial contact (or contacts) where a Client can decide if having a professionally run estate sale might be the right avenue for them. Handouts with additional information can also be provided. Please give 24 hours for a response since I may be working in an area with no phone or internet service.

–Walk Through Consult Walk Through Consult after which time a determination can be made regarding percentage of commission. AES absorbs all advertising costs, staffing, credit/debit card charges, and cost of supplies to be paid out of the AES commission. The client percentage is calculated from gross proceeds. Additional services, when required, such as dumpster rental or yard mowing, are the exceptions and are discussed with Client before securing service. There is no charge for the walk through consult.

–Contract Negotiation Contract Negotiation during which time AES and Client come to agreement on terms. Once a contract is signed, set up can begin. Owners/executors do not need to be present. This can be done through a combination of phone, fax, and email.

–Set Up Set Up involves sorting, cleaning and organizing of items in the home. Length of time required depends on many factors and can usually be assessed during the walk through.

–Research Research of unusual items, books, collectibles, etc. is a necessity to ensure accurate pricing.

–Staging Staging is where everything comes together and the home is made presentable for a sale. This includes signage to help ensure safety of customers and for informational purposes.

–Advertising Advertising is essential for a successful sale. AES advertises through many avenues including social media, a website, email list, and newspaper ads. Signage is also posted along roadways, as allowed, on sale days.

–Sale! Sales are conducted for 2-3 days with number of days depending on size of sale. These days usually consist of working non-stop with lots of interaction with the public and are the fun part of the business, where all the hard work pays off for everyone. Restaging is conducted at the end of the sale day so the home is once again presentable when doors open the next day.

–Buy Out or Donate AES will attempt to find someone to buy the remaining contents of the home. If this is not possible, AES will facilitate the donation of the remaining items according to Client wishes. Client may opt to keep remaining items, though this is rarely desirable.

–Clean Up Clean Up consists of leaving a home broom clean which means the floors are swept and/or vacuumed, countertops are wiped, and any trash produced during the sale is removed.