If you want to become a true Estate Sales expert, then our list of 7 things to buy at estate sales and 3 things to skip is a must – read. So, if you don’t want to pay a fortune for a worthless piece of junk, pay good attention.
For those of you who are less familiar with the term, estate sales are a way for someone to liquidate their belongings. This can happen for numerous of reasons. People can decide to sell their possessions trough estate sale because they are moving to another state or city or a company can organize estate sale due to relocation or closure. One more common reason for estate sales is the death of the owner. His heirs may not be interested in possessions, or the court can order estate sale if heirs can’t agree on how belongings should be divided. It is important to notice that estate sales are larger and shouldn’t be mistaken for garage sales.
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Estate Sales are usually advertised a few weeks before. People are invited to the house or estate and are free to purchase any marked item. Items have marked prices, and they are sold to the first person that offers the price. In some cases, however, you can make an offer for the item that is lower than the marked price. Those offers usually get accepted if no one else is interested. Since estate sales can be overcrowded the most common rule is “first come, first served”. The lines form in front of the house/estate and people at the front have the first pick.
To find out the 7 things to buy at estate sales and 3 things to skip we did an extensive research on the internet, looking for advises and tips from people who usually attend estate sales. We checked out forums and numerous other lists available like the ones from Curbly, The Weathered Door, Huffington Post, and Gnews, to name a few. Although there are some deviations, almost everyone agrees on things you should buy and things to skip on estate sales. We took the most common suggestion and presented them below.
If you are an avid buyer and antique collector, be sure to check our list of 10 biggest flea markets in the US, as well. And now, let’s finally start with our list.
Things To Skip At Estate Sales
3. Cookware
This is where lots of people make mistakes. Although $5 used cooking pan may look like a great deal, this purchase can be costly for your health. With used cookware you can never be sure about the quality and even tiny unnoticeable crack in the cookware can lead to poisoning.
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2. Kitchen Appliances and Electronics
These things may look like they are in working condition but usually hide some nasty surprises. You should be especially careful with buying kitchen appliances on estate sales because they may have some flaws you can’t notice until you bring them home, or they can work for a week or a month and then give up on you. The similar thing applies to other electronics.
1. Mattresses and Pillows
We just have two words for you: “Bed Bugs!” Of course, you can’t wash these things without ruining them completely. It is best to buy new ones and save yourself from troubles.
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Things To Buy At Estate Sales
7. Carpets
Pressure washer, some soap and you will have a nice carpet. Carpets are usually made to last, and on estate sales, you could snatch some pretty neat antique rugs that would be hard to find somewhere else for the same price.
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6. Art and Decorating Pieces
Some say you should skip buying art and others disagree. We think you should go for it if the price is reasonable. You will have a nice decorating piece, and there is always a chance it could turn out to be lost piece by some famous artist. Also, other decorating pieces like vases are more than welcome.
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5. Books
We know that some of you may think books are outdated, and Kindle is the future. We respect that, but books can be one of the most positive surprises at estate sales. If you are an avid reader, estate sales can help you expand your home library. Books are one of those items that are often overlooked at estate sales, and you can get them for cheap. Also, if you are not keen on keeping the books, you can always resell them for a much greater price.
4. Tools
Tools can be expensive nowadays, under the assumption you want quality. If not, you can buy “Made in China” tools cheaply, but you shouldn’t expect them to last for long. Estate sales are a great way to find good, quality tools that will last and money invested in them will usually pay off.
3. Jewelry
Buying jewelry at estate sales usually pays off, but you have to be quick. Don’t worry if the jewelry is missing few pieces. You can get it fixed and have a great piece or even sell it for scrap and still get more than you paid.
2. Silverware and Glassware
Silverware and glassware are things people usually agree you should buy at estate sales. They are durable, and they are cheap. You should especially go for it if there is a full set. These items will look close to new when they are cleaned and polished and will save you tons of money.
1. Furniture
We will close our list of 7 things to buy at estate sales and 3 things to skip, with an item every experienced estate sales buyer looks for. People who are organizing estate sales usually don’t want to bother with furniture, especially the big pieces like sofas or cabinets. If they don’t want to bother, you should! Estate sales are a great way to get some quality furniture for a great price. This especially applies to antique furniture that can be an awesome addition to your home or a great way to profit after reselling.
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