YOUR ESTATE SALE

Once you’ve moved, we begin by doing a little trash removal, cleaning, sorting, polishing and research. All items are removed from the cabinets, closets, cupboards, and sideboards. Throughout, we stage your home for maximum presentation while accounting for security and traffic flow. We’ll create an attractive display of your possessions on covered tables that we provide. Everything is inspected, identified, researched and priced. Special items such as Jewelry, Automobiles, Firearms and Fine Art may warrant a second opinion for valuation and these appraisals are procured at our cost.

We advertise the sale through direct mail, email, The Kansas City Star, Wednesday Magazine, Overland Park Sun and Jewish Chronicle. Special collections may warrant the use of collector’s newsletters or collector’s club publications.

We conduct a two or three-day public sale within the home. Jewelry and small valuables are locked in showcases or otherwise restricted. Each item is priced and no negotiation takes place before the final hours of the sale. Most items sell at full price; others are sold at a discount or to the highest bidder. Following the sale, the home may be cleared through a buy-out from a local company or the remaining items may be donated to the charity of your choice. Remaining books are usually donated to The Friends of the Library. The home is completely cleared and left “broom clean” (or better!), the sinks and countertops are cleaned as well.

Settlement comes within 10 days and is accompanied by an itemized listing. For maximum results during the sale, we accept credit cards in addition to cash and checks. We also offer sale attendees a wrapping and delivery service that encourages more spending and higher prices.

Settlement comes within 10 days and is accompanied by an itemized listing. For maximum results during the sale, we accept credit cards in addition to cash and checks. We also offer sale attendees a wrapping and delivery service that encourages more spending and higher prices.

Clearly identify heirlooms, keepers, kids’ items, gifts and other things that are not to be sold. These must be removed before an estate sale can be conducted.

Don’t feel that you have to clean out closets or organize anything, stack all of the sale items in one room or otherwise deal with items other than those you plan to take along in your move. To do so is a waste of time and energy at what is already a taxing and stressful time.

That a successful sale can never be conducted while any persons are still living in the subject home.

You may experience renewed interest from friends, neighbors and distant relatives when they discover that you’re planning to have a sale and move. To give away or sell items before the sale without the assistance of a professional is not a good idea. It’s the most interesting and valuable items that make an effective sale possible. Without these the marketing of your overall sale is weakened and without a good basis of value, a sale is not possible. To allow the removal of your best items will most likely result in nothing more than an expensive cleaning and hauling bill, all without the help of an experienced professional.

When downsizing, the first question is “What can I take with me?” Additional questions to consider are centered on why you are moving and the location. Will you be doing any cooking or plan on doing entertaining? One of the most important questions is what will fit and where will it go. Often the services of an interior decorator or professional organizer will make this job easier. Space permitting, plan your décor around easy living and allow for room to navigate. The next question is one of the most important. What items are considered heirlooms? M any homes may be full of antiques, collectibles and old stuff but are they heirlooms? Heirlooms are the link between our past, our present and the future. Knowing who, what, when, where, and why behind a cherished object is often more important than the monetary value alone. Take the time to identify what pieces are true heirlooms, their provenance and any traditions associated with the item. It is important to honor traditions associated with an heirloom before a request for the item.

If you need to know the value of items in order to equitably distribute the estate, we can offer verbal or documented market value appraisals.

These are just a few of the points to consider in closing a home or downsizing. Utilizing professional services saves time, money and energy while you focus on other important things. Involving a professional prevents costly mistakes in various ways. Selling an item for a fraction of its value is not the only potential pitfall. Closing a home can be one of the most difficult tasks you are required to do. Using professional services to your will more than pay the cost of the commission.