Benefits of Auctions – Handle Your Property and Estate Wisely

Some families will choose auctions as a way to handle the property and estates of their loved ones. These events can be used to sell valuables and art collections of all sorts. There are auctioneers and estate sale companies around the country that organize these auctions. They help sellers advertise their events, as well as, showcase items to be sold.

You may choose to sell valuables, property and machinery at auctions. Your items will be reviewed for value and priced to sell for a profit. Those who own shops or stores often like to participate in auctions. This is a way to secure items that can be resold. Sellers ultimately benefit from these auctions because they can sell wisely. These events are professionally done and can result in very successful sales. Here are some of the additional benefits of property auctions:

More Bidders

According to Home Guides, property auctions are useful vehicles for selling estate items and residences. There are more bidders in one location taking interest in what is being sold. Estates tend to include a variety of different things. Some will have vehicles and machinery items. Bidders will be able to place their best offer based upon the state of the items being sold. Buyers of residential properties must have financing guidelines in order before bidding. This may also be necessary for car and vehicle purchases.

Less Advertising

When you sell your property in a traditional way, advertising is essential. You will need a list of materials to announce the sale of items. Posters, flyers and even brochures can fit into this category. The internet is another tool that is used for estate sales and yard sales. Auctions offer you another way to sell valuables without the cost of extra advertising. Auctioneers generally do the advertising required for these events.

Firm Selling Date

Auctions have a firm date and time. Interested bidders understand that they must be present in order to bid on items. When you sell personal property in another way, there is no guarantee when things will be sold. Auctions offer sellers confidence when it comes to making profits on valuables. Buyers benefit from these events, as well. They will know right away if their bids have won and been accepted.  Companies that offer both auctions and estate sale services to their clients maximize the value for the homeowner.

Sellers plan auctions when they are relocating to different areas. This may require selling residences, commercial properties and other things. Auctions give you an alternative when it comes to wisely handling important items. They also benefit you by providing funds immediately after the event takes place. In order to get the best value, discuss your goals with a local estate industry professional to guide you with your plans.

What is an Estate Sale and why Estate Sale Companies are important?

An estate sale is generally a public or private event that sells various items in the estate, home or property.  Estate sale can also be referred to as a tag sale, probate sale, trustee sale or liquidation sale.  The size of the sale itself will often determine the complexity of the sale. Some families opt to host their own estate sale, which can take place on the property itself. It has become more and more popular to hire an estate sales company to do this for you. These companies are experts when it comes to planning and advertising these events.

They can take all of the hasstle out of the process for the family. These sales are very important because they honor the life of one or more family members. They are also important because they provide closure for many people. How the estate sale is organized is essential to its success. Estate sales companies can host these events on separate locations from the property itself if necessary. They are involved with displaying key items for sale and for notifying the public of the event. It is possible to not only earn money from these sales but to locate missing or lost treasures.  Many respected estate sale companies have a large following of people and an excellent presence on the internet allowing them to bring buyers to your sale efficiently.

Search for Estate Sale Companies

There may be local estate sales companies in your city or town. In some instances, it may be possible to hire a company that is not local. Going over a list of possible estate sales companies is a good way to find the best one for you. It is important to look for one that has experience with these sales. Talking with the company is another good idea. You will want to know their capabilities to host and advertise the event.

Collect Your Valuables

Most estates are going to have valuables that the family wants to keep. Some of these items are going to be simply sentimental. Others, however, may be quite valuable.  Relying on a professional estate sale company with experience in appraising valuables allows you to maximize your benefits.  This is where appraisers will come into the picture. Many estate sales companies have access to appraisers or are appraisers themselves. They can assist you with valuing the things that you are going to keep and sell. This process may take some time but is well worth it.

Preparing for the Sale

Once your family and loved ones have removed the items that they want, it is time to prepare for the sale. There are many considerations included in this process. Items must be organized, cleans, priced and displayed. Estate sales companies in some cases have neutral warehouses in place for these events.  Grasons Co. rated No. 1 Estate Sale Company in Orange County CA, believes that items for an estate sale are best displayed in their natural locations.  They operate a large consignment shop in Huntington Beach CA, but the majority of their estate sales are held directly at the homes for that reason.  Technology has made it possible for items, jewelry and machinery to be displayed online. These techniques add to the success of the estate sale.

Do’s and Don’t When Shopping at an Estate Sale

Although some people compare estate sales to yard sales, the two are actually fairly different. Estate sales typically take place when a household is moving unexpectedly or when a person has passed away. Some sales are organized by individuals of the household, while others are managed by a professional estate sale company. Estate sales tend be bigger than yard sales, with a wider variety of items. As items tend to be appraised for estate sales, starting prices also tend to be higher at estate sales than at typical yard sales due to the value of the items but much less than retail.

Still, when people look carefully enough, they find great bargains for unique items at estate sales. In order to get the best deals, here are some fundamental tips to get the most out of estate sales:

• Do be an early bird, and get to the estate sales when it starts in order to look through the best and widest selection of merchandise. As in most types of sales, the best items tend to go earlier. However, for more expensive items, customers will have a better chance of negotiating the price of an item down on the last day of the estate sales.
• Don’t bring a big tote back with you, as many estate sales will not allow you to enter into the estate sale with a bigger purse.
• Do expect to wait in a line, even if you get to the sale early. As most estate sales take place in a home, only a limited number of people will be allowed inside at a given time. Be patient, as you’ll eventually get your turn.
• Don’t try to negotiate the price of an item during the first day of the estate sale, especially if the estate sale is being professionally managed. Estate sale companies lock items to a fixed price, but with each successive day, a certain percentage will be taken off of the original tag price. This is why the best bargains from estate sales are during the last day of the sale.
• When purchasing larger items, such as furniture, do ask about pick-up policies, as you can usually pick up larger pieces later on during the day or the next day.  A few companies such as Grasons Co. provides delivery service, it’s one of the reasons they are rated as the #1 estate sale company in Orange County CA
• Don’t expect for the estate sales organizers to help you load up your purchases, such as furniture items, as they will be busy working the sale. If you plant to purchase larger items, do ask someone to come with you in order to help load the item.
• Do ask if there are any other sales items in more “hidden” places of the house, such as the basement, garage, attic or backyard. Many if not most estate sales will include items in these areas, and great finds can be made in old boxes stored in the attic or basement.  Although, a true professional company, would bring all these items out for easy viewing.
• Although it may seem initially uncomfortable, don’t be uneasy about searching through the entire house, if the entire household is being liquidated. This means checking closets, bathrooms and bedrooms is a good idea.

Now that you’ve learned some tips about shopping estate sales, go ahead and check out an upcoming local estate sale in your area, but if you’re in the Orange County area, you wouldn’t want to miss one of Grasons Co. upcoming estate sales.  buyers and followers brag for weeks about their events.

A beginner’s guide to estate sale shopping

Estate sales can be intimidating for people who have never gone to one before. People often assume that estate sales are only for antique dealers and collectors and tend to sell more expensive items, such as fine porcelain china and framed artwork. But self-proclaimed estate sale obsessives will tell you differently! Here are some helpful tips for those who are new to estate sales:

• Although estate sales run by professional companies usually include higher-priced items, merchandise will also be of higher quality. Also, respected and reputable companies will never offer items at hyper-inflated prices. They will price items at fair and competitive prices in order to attract a diverse range of customers and to build a loyal following. Certified appraisers are also used for estate sales run by professional estate sale companies, so although there may be higher prices, everything sold will have clear purchasing policies and prices.
• The early bird wins. During estate sales, the best items are almost always sold within the first day of the sale, so be sure to get to the estate sale when it opens. On the other hand, if you come in after the rush, the estate sale is likely to be less crowded and you’ll be in a better position to negotiate prices.
• Estate sales usually draw a wide variety of people, from antique dealers to bargain hunters. Regulars will be very savvy, efficient, cutthroat and knowledgeable, so if you see an item you like, there’s the likely chance that you might have to negotiate the better price for the item.
• Although key items are usually kept in the main rooms of the house, such as the living or dining room, check out hidden treasures in boxes or other rooms in the house. Don’t hesitate to ask the estate sale organizer if you can check the storage boxes in the attic and basement, which will most likely also be on sale for liquidation. If you’re looking for a deal on rugs, check out the floors.
• Before heading there, research the estate sale company’s webpage. It will most likely list several upcoming estate sales and will include detailed information and photos of merchandise being sold in each estate sale. If you see something you like, do research on the item and make an educated assessment of the item’s worth.

Upcoming Estate Sales

 

Saving money tops the resolution list in 2013 but it doesn’t mean your shopping has to suffer!

Beginning in the 1990s, buying vintage items became all the rage. People began to shop at consignment and vintage stores in order to purchase one-of-a-kind items and save money. People also like vintage clothing because they tend to be better made and last longer than clothes today. Shopping for treasures at estate sales can be one of the best ways to purchase mint-condition vintage items, including vintage jewelry and clothing and collectibles. Estates sales often include items that sell at substantially marked-off prices and prove to be a more interesting than most garage sales. Buying vintage items will also give you a chance to hone your bargaining skills.

Here are some easy tips on making bargain and vintage shopping at estates sales more fun and efficient:

*Check out key locations to find vintage collectibles, old costume jewelry, figurines, vintage purses and postcards. This includes favorite haunts in more old and beaten tracks, rather than stores in fancier and newer neighborhoods. Estate Sales and neighborhood sales can be a great place where you find collectibles and unique finds.

*Before going vintage shopping at an estates sale, it never hurts to know what you are trying to look for and at what price. This list does not have to be specific, but can include broad categories of items. For example, “vintage home décor” and “old books” narrows down your choices, but are open-ended enough for you to be flexible.

*Taking a camera to an estates sale also never hurts; if you lose track of an item, you know what it looks like.

*Carry cash with you, as most estates sales will not take check or credit card.

*For estate sales, planning ahead also always helps. If there are four or five estate sales all happening around the same part of town, why not be an efficient navigator and go to as many estates sales as you can to find what you are looking for?

However, if you love vintage items but are not a big fan of spending the weekends going from one estates sales to another, there are also great consignment stores throughout the country, such as Grasons Co in Huntington Beach, California, which sell a range of quality vintage items, including vintage furniture and vintage home accessories. Grasons also provides its customers with an online catalog, which allows customers to purchase items for sale with only a few clicks of the mouse.  Go ahead and shop til you drop in 2013 and save lots of money while you’re at it.

Grasons Co, Soaring high in popularity for Orange County Estate Sales and Consignment

Grasons Co. is a family-owned Orange County Estate Sale company that sells antique and manages estate sales. It is located in the beautiful Huntington Beach, California. Customers can stop by their Huntington Beach consignment showroom to view items, or they can search and buy vintage items and buy estate items online. From fine china to vintage furniture, Grasons’s consignment store is dedicated in providing its customers with superior, unique antique items.

So what’s the big facination with vintage items?, there is good reason, vintage items last longer when compared to the mass produced items purchased today: they are better designed and are made up of higher-quality material.  There’s no limit to the types of items you’ll find at Grasons Co.  From antique mirrors, fine china, mid-century furniture and more.  This popular Orange County consignment and Estate Sale company has tremendously gained in popularity due to the high traffic of inventory.  More and more people consider vintage items the unique gift giving idea and it works.

For consumers looking to accent their homes with vintage crystal, Grasons Co. offers items from crystal vases to antique crystal bowls, as well as wine glasses. These crystal items are not items that most retail stores sell. Instead, they have been thoughtfully researched and handpicked by experts at Grasons Co. For example, the company sells an exquisite Orrefors Sweden Crystal Candle Holder, as well as an Orrefors crystal vintage vase.  Orrefors, located in Kalmar County in northwest Sweden, has been a long-time manufacturer of the highest quality crystal glassware and art glass. Their work is widely admired, and is frequently shown in art exhibitions around the world. Other unique, crystal items include Waterford crystal glasses and a Kost Boda votive.  Vintage and antique lovers throughout Orange County, frequently stop by the large consignment showroom and often to catch the next incoming one of a piece item.

Grasons Co. also sells unique antique, mid-century furniture items, including well-constructed vintage furniture that was built to last: they function as nearly new pieces after more than 50 years of use. Antique furniture items include dressers, desks, dining chairs, easy chairs and couches. The store also carries unique specialty items for those writers wanting to go back to the days that novelists, journalists and poets alike composed their work via the typewriter, can now purchase a vintage Royal typewriter used during the first half of the 20^th century.

This list can go on forever, their popularity as the leading Orange County Estate Sale company is spreading across the web like wildfire, so if you’re too far to come in and checkout the most unbelievable selection in person, make sure and shop estate sale items online, you never know what you can find.

How to setup an estate sale and should you hire an estate sale company?

Whether you call it a trustee sale, tag sale, probate sale or an Estate Sale, these sales can be quite fun and exciting to attend, but for many on the other side of the fence, an estate sale is either a confusing subject or too stressful to even think about.  An Estate Sale is an organized sale that involves all the contents of a home.  Many estate sales are organized because the homeowners have retired, passed on, moved to assisted living, downsizing to a smaller home or many other reasons requiring all the contents of the home to be sold in a timely manner.

If you frequent estate sales, it’s easy to notice the variations in the way they are setup and the people involved in setting them up.  Some estate sales are  setup by the homeowners directly without a third-party involved, others seem quite unorganized and have a feel of a “glorified garage sale” one of the most popular questions asked beside what’s the difference between a garage sale and an estate sale?, is what’s the difference between setting up your own estate sale or hiring an estate sale company to handle the sale?.

In order to achieve an answer to such a question, one must understand the key benefits in hiring an estate sale company, some reasons can be duplicated but other reasons are impossible to achieve because they are based on a long-term experience in an industry that is based on knowledge gained over many years and relationships with the right contacts built along the way.  Here are the top 5 reasons most people choose to hire an estate sale company to handle their estate sale instead of tackling it on their own.

1. An Estate Sale professional is experienced in properly pricing items based on current market value and what the market customers are willing to pay.
2. An Estate Sale company has a large following of regular clients that frequent their estate sales, not to mention the implemented marketing strategies prior and during their sales.
3. A well established estate sale coordinator is well equipped and has an entire team setup to handle the labor intensive tasks required in organizing, pricing, moving and hauling away furniture, including deliveries of larger items to buyers .
4. A collector of a particular item is willing to pay more for the item than an average buyer.  Industry contacts are key and an experienced estate sale company has the industry contacts available to connect just the right buyer with a seller.
5. Multiple sources of income – Many experienced and well established estate sale companies do not only utilize the home to maximize on the selling benefits, proper planning goes into every detail.  Online sales, consignment, credit card acceptance on-site, etc…

Not to say that one is not capable of holding their own estate sale, but the labor intensive tasks combined with proper planning and knowledge of the industry is what makes many people shy away from even attempting such a rigorous task.  Many respected estate sale companies can go over all the details with a prospective client over the phone.  Hiring someone to sell your precious items and handle your sale with care is quite personal.  A good estate sale company should take the time to explain all the details with you, meet face to face in order to establish a connection and a good understanding of all the details involved in order to help you make an informed decision on how to set up an estate sale and whether you should hire an estate sale company.

What’s the difference between an Estate Sale and a Garage Sale

We’ve all heard of Estate Sales, Tag Sales, but what makes those different from a Garage Sale?, a common question asked by many people attending an estate sale for the first time.  The immediate an obvious answer when attending an estate sale is the well-organized items with prices marked on each item and the shopping doesn’t just stop in the driveway or in the garage but rather continues throughout the entire house.  So what makes the estate Sales different from garage sales?.

Most people once or twice a year have a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items such as old children’s clothing, unwanted furniture items and random items from throughout the home.  Generally these items are sold for pennies and dollars, most people figure they’ll give a garage sale a try and earn a few bucks since the plan is to donate or throw out these items.  Their collectibles and valuables are rarely included in a garage sale, but frequent garage sale seekers get lucky every once in a while at getting a great deal for a great item that the seller is eager to get rid of but is not an expert at pricing.

An Estate sale or tag sale takes place when the entire contents of a household must be liquidated, the reasons can vary from someone moving out-of-state, into a retirement home, or a death in the family.  Generally, the task is quite overwhelming for family members to handle since all the contents must be sold in a timely manner.  Most family members are busy and are not experienced to properly value the items to be sold, they generally rely on an experienced estate sale coordinator to evaluate, organize, appraise, market and sell the contents for the most value.  A professional estate sale company generally has a large following of buyers and has a database of buyers that seek particular items, thus getting the seller the most value for their item.

Setting up an estate sale is not an easy task, it takes proper planning and an action plan on properly marketing to the right audience seeking exactly what is offered.  An experienced estate sale company uses every avenue to appraise, plan, organize and market the upcoming local estate sale.  Finding an experienced estate sale company is very important, in recent years with people finding themselves out of a job and nothing to turn to, many decided that holding an estate sale is an easy way to earn a few bucks, after all “you sell other people’s stuff and make money right?”, wrong!.

A well established, and experienced estate sale company has a team that holds regular estate sales, and a list of references readily available, the team is built to conduct the evaluation, plan, research, appraising process and a marketing strategy to the right audience in order to maximize the earnings for the seller.  The success of an estate sale company should be rated based on the success of its clients.  When seeking an estate sale coordinator, it’s important to ask the right questions, here’s a list of some good questions to ask:

• How many estate sales do you conduct a month?
• How many members are in your team and what is their role?
• How many buyers follow your estate sales?
• Do you also use the power of the internet to market my estate sale?
• Do you have a consignment option for the unsold items?
• Do you only sell the items on location or do you use the internet to a bigger audience?
• Do you have a list of references we can contact for your prior estate sales?…The answer better be “YES” or you hang up the phone

A professional business makes it their goal to not only provide the best service, but to also educate their clients on the service they provide.  A well-informed customer is more likely to use the services again and more eager to refer the services in the future.  Finding a list of estate sale companies is easy, choosing the right one is more difficult, understanding the difference between an Estate Sale and a Garage sale is half the battle, but understanding the difference between an estate sale and a successful estate sale is what we hope you’ve gained here in order to make better informed decisions.

Estate Sale items online shopping estate antiques online without leaving the front door

Estate sales or tag sales, the words describe an event that takes place weekly throughout our country.  Estate sales are held because all contents of a home must be sold in a particular period of time, many of us relate Estate sales to someone passing on but in reality an estate sale simply takes place to rid the home of all contents.

Estate Sale companies are relied on to properly research and value all the contents of the home while properly organizing and pricing each and every item, getting the most value for their client.  For those of us that love going to estate sales and purchasing items for the unique finds such as antique jewelry, vintage vinyl or vintage collectibles, it’s frustrating when we cannot attend all the estate sales throughout the country.  The great deals and finds at these estate sales attract buyers from all surrounding areas.

For a true collector of fine antiques and vintage furniture, etc…, it becomes quite frustrating not being able to frequent the estate sales held in other counties or states due to the distance and difficulty of getting there.  Many collectors and estate buyers search the internet to find estate sale antiques online.  Ebay is a popular site but the difficulties in setting up accounts and managing all the additional information necessary to make a purchase, makes it quite unpopular with many computer unfriendly consumers.  Everyone loves having a point of contact.

The increased popularity of online vintage items and buyers seeking to buy estate antiques online has struck the attention of many well organized and professional estate sale companies throughout the country.  Although one saught after Orange County Estate Sale Coordinator in Huntington Beach, CA holds regular Orange County Estate Sales and estate sales in Los Angeles, they’ve taken their estate antiques online and sharing them with the rest of the country.  Their popularity for having a wide variety of collectibles and unique antiques has created a demand they had no choice but to fulfill.

So if you’re a collector of fine antique china, vintage furniture, or antique wall art, you may never have to leave your front door again.  Even if you choose to visit your local estate sales, you can now buy estate antiques online from the comfort of your own home, go ahead and lavish yourself in the most desirable items that will ship straight to your front door without having to deal with the lines and crowds of buyers that frequent these ever growing and popular estate sales.