Frequently Asked Questions
Are there liabilities with having an estate sale?
Anytime people are in your home, if an injury occurs, some liability may exist. However, New Life Estate Sales carries insurance for unfortunate incidents. In addition, if the homeowner’s insurance is still active, that would cover it as well.
When can I expect to get paid after the estate sale?
New Life Estate Sales issues payment with a comprehensive invoice within 7 business days of the conclusion of the sale.
Is it ok to let friends and family come in before the estate sale and take mementos?
Yes and no. Certainly families should retain whatever items they desire, without question. However, this should occur before the contract with New Life Estate Sales is signed. Once the contract is signed, New Life will begin preparing and researching, taking pictures of items to be sold and advertising the sale. Misrepresentation of available items is frowned upon in the community.
Will I be happy with the profit I receive?
We strive to set out realistic expectations about the profit the sale may produce. This is key, as sometimes clients believe their items are much more valuable than they actually are. There are no guarantees regarding profit, but clients should realize that the more we sell, the more we all make. New Life Estate Sale professionals understand this and do everything in their power to sell as many items as possible.
Can I put a reserve (minimum) on highly valued items?
Yes, that should be communicated during the onboarding interview with New Life Estate Sales. In addition, you will be notified if a customer makes an offer that is less than your asking price. This allows you to determine if you should decrease the price.
Can I be present during the sale, to help answer questions?
No. In the estate sale industry, it has been found that the owner’s presence and involvement can be uncomfortable for customers, leading to less sales. Family members should not attend the sale.
Why did some cherished and valuable items sell for less than I thought they would?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Value is in the eye of the buyer. Trends of what is hot come and go pretty quickly, driving prices either up or down. An item purchased for $1,000 ten years ago, may be valued at $100 or $10,000, depending on the market, scarcity and desirability.
What are the next steps after an estate sale?
Items that did not sell will need to be organized into trash, donation and possibly consignment or auction. If the client wishes to handle that, it is fine. However, if the client desires for the estate sale to clean out the home and dispose of items, that is also an option. The term estate sale companies use for this is “Clean Out”. If the client chooses a clean out, New Life Estate Sales organizes pickups and deliveries, as well as provides a cleaning service to dust, wipe, sweep and vacuum after the items are disposed of.
What happens if the estate sale company finds something extremely valuable that I was unaware of?
Integrity and professionalism demands that the estate sale personnel reach out to the owner to discuss options for that item. It may be more appropriate for an auction or consignment and the client can make that decision. The estate sale company will receive commission on the item.
Do I need to go through the house before the estate sale begins?
Ideally, going through the house for one last sweep for personal keepsakes should be done before the estate sale company begins prepping the home for the sale.
Should I go through the home and throw out trash and other things that are not valuable?
No. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Leave everything that you do not want to keep and let the company make the decision of what is truly trash.
How will I know how the sale is going?
At the end of each day of the sale, the sale manager will call or send a text and give you an update.
What is done to prevent shoplifting?
New Life Estate Sales strategically places small, high dollar items at the cash register, in constant view of the cashier. Additionally, the cash out area is placed within eyesight of the exit, so that customers cannot leave without being noticed. We also manage the flow of customers by having only one entrance and exit into the home. Lastly, we ensure we have the appropriate amount of staff at each sale to deter theft.