Tackling a clean up project in preparation for hosting an estate auction can be hard, no matter the size or scope of the project. In order to be the most efficient and effective during this process there is a five part strategy you should learn and follow, ending in hosting a successful estate sales.
- Keep
- Store
- Donate
- Throw Away
- Sell
Keep
When you lose a loved one, there is no doubt that they will have special belongings that will always remind you of them. Some more valuable things might be listed in the will, however typically everyday items won’t but that doesn’t mean certain things aren’t worth keeping.
That being said, it’s important to limit yourself in what you keep and make sure you’re only keeping a few of the most precious items. If tackling this is too difficult, Downsizing Diva is a perfect place to get a helping hand.
Store
Storing is the part of the five part strategy that needs to be limited as much as possible and won’t apply to everyone.
Items that you are storing should try to fit into two categories: items of sentimental value that have yet to be claimed or collectables that are rising in value over time.
For collectable items, these should be items that will be sold at a later date. One thing to keep in mind over during this process, storing items that you will never use or sell is a waste and will just delay the process into the longer term.
Donate
Normally for everyday items that aren’t needed, don’t have sentimental value yet are in good shape, donation is the best option.
You must determine which of these items is worth keeping for an estate sale and which aren’t. Donating items is the most environmentally friendly option as it helps reduce waste!
Donation can also provide an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life and in order to do this it’s important to look into where you are donating to insure it is a worth cause organization. Your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore will gladly take many of your home goods and construction materials.
Throw Away
Throwing away is the hardest step in getting rid of your loved one’s belongings. There will always be things in everyone’s home that can and should be thrown away. When cleaning out a house, it’s very easy to underestimate how much stuff a person has and clutter can seem endless. Instead of making endless trips to the dump, renting a dumpster is the easier and most efficient way.
Sell
After going through these first four strategies, the fifth is where your estate sale will come in. Before you host your estate sale, it’s recommended that you take a double check at everything up for sale to ensure that you haven’t missed something of sentimental value. Estate sales can be complicated so here’s a complete guide to hosting one and how to be successful.
The planning and execution of estate sales can be an extremely tedious process; the de-cluttering of a loved one’s home especially can be a physically and emotionally draining task. This five-part strategy will allow you to get through this stage of preparation most efficiently.
