There comes a time in most people’s lives when the family home, containing so many memories and beloved objects, has to be sold. This sad end is either due to the loss of a loved one or a necessary move to a retirement home. Associated with this event is the overwhelming prospect of clearing out your parent’s personal belongings. This can be both emotionally and physically exhausting.
The good news is that if it is an estate situation, there are estate sale companies to do the job. These companies can assist with both the evaluation of contents and the sorting and clearing. If you suspect that there may be valuable family heirlooms, it is important to engage a reliable antique assessor and perhaps get a second opinion. There is a very active market in vintage furniture and clothing – don’t just throw out that 70’s light fixture! It is important to have the right people on your team. People who are active in the antique and vintage business will know what is currently saleable. Usually a contents sale company will charge a percentage of the sale value of the contents. Depending on who you choose the charge ranges from approximately 30% to 50%. It is important to research your options.
Not everyone has the time or the emotional fortitude to sift through decades of accumulated treasures. There are professionals who can do this for you – they will organize everything into 3 categories:
- Garbage
- Charitable donations
- Saleable items.
You might be surprised at some of the things that have value today. That beautiful silver tea service of your grandmother’s may be harder to sell than the collection of black and white photos from the 1910’s.
If the house is to be sold, the next step is assessing the best way to show the house. Does it need to be spruced up with a coat of paint? Would a professional stager help get the best price for your house? A good pre-market cleaning is often beneficial. Which objects can be packed away and how can the rooms be set up to show their best features. There are climate-controlled storage units where excess furniture can be stored until the sale of the contents.
Following the sale of the house, the contents sale company takes over. All items that the family wants are removed, and the remaining items are evaluated for the best method of sale:
- Auction house
- Private dealer
- Public contents sale – where the lesser items are arranged at the house.
At the end, the house will be emptied of all objects and a final accounting will take place.
The house is now ready for a new set of memories to be created.
Anne Levenston is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage R.E.S.Ltd/Johnston & Daniel Division. Anne is a regular blogger with Muddy York. Anne’s website is located www.annelevenston.com
