Estate liquidation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What estate liquidation is

A liquidator inventories, prices and sells the contents of a home after a death, move or downsizing, through an estate sale, auction or buyout, and clears the property. Families use this service when they must empty a home and do not know the value of what is inside. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.

Signs you need it

  • A relative has died and the family must empty the home
  • You are moving to a smaller place or a care facility and have a full house
  • The home is filled with furniture, collectibles and tools you cannot sell alone
  • You live far away and cannot manage a sale in person
  • The house must be cleared before it is listed or sold
  • You are unsure which items are valuable

What the pro does

  • Walk through the home with you to see what is there and what you want kept
  • Sort items into keep, sell, donate and discard
  • Research and price items, and arrange appraisals for anything of high value
  • Set up and run the sale, whether an estate sale, an auction or an online sale
  • Handle buyers, payments and the end of sale tasks
  • Clear remaining items and leave the home ready for cleaning or listing

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size of the home and the amount of contents
  • The type and value of the items
  • Sale method: estate sale, auction, online or buyout
  • Whether items need outside appraisals
  • Number of days the sale runs
  • Whether removal of unsold items is included
  • How the liquidator is paid, such as a share of sales or a flat fee

What a written quote should spell out

  • How the liquidator is paid and what share, if any, comes from sales, in writing
  • Services included: sorting, pricing, advertising, staffing and clearing
  • What happens to unsold items
  • When and how you receive proceeds and a sales report
  • Insurance covering the sale and the home

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How are you paid, and do you buy items yourself?
  • How do you price items and handle high value ones?
  • Will I receive an itemized sales report?
  • What happens to items that do not sell?
  • How do you screen and monitor buyers in the home?
  • Are you insured, and does it cover items and visitors?
  • When do I receive the proceeds?

Red flags

  • A liquidator who offers a lump sum without listing the contents
  • Refusing to give a written agreement or sales report
  • Pressure to decide in one visit
  • A liquidator who buys items at a low price and resells them without disclosure
  • No insurance

What you can do yourself

You can remove items you want to keep, collect documents, jewelry and papers, and make a list of what is in each room. Be careful about throwing away papers or small valuables. For high value pieces, consider an appraisal, and ask an attorney about authority to sell items from an estate.

Licenses and permits

Estate sale and auction businesses are not licensed in every place, but some states and cities license auctioneers or require a business registration. Check with the state or local licensing office and ask for insurance proof.

Estate liquidation questions

Do I need to be present at the sale?

Usually not. Ask the liquidator how access is handled.

What if there are items of high value?

The liquidator may suggest an appraisal or specialist sale. Ask for it in writing.

Who can authorize a sale of an estate's items?

The person with legal authority. Ask an attorney if you are unsure.

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