FAQ
Are you Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Are you Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Yes, we are licensed as a business in the state of Missouri and the City of Columbia and all other surrounding areas. We also carry insurance through Bartons Mutual and we are bonded up to $10K by RLI Corp. We are happy to provide our certificate of insurance & bonding to all of our clients.
Yes, we are licensed as a business in the state of Missouri and the City of Columbia and all other surrounding areas. We also carry insurance through Bartons Mutual and we are bonded up to $10K by RLI Corp. We are happy to provide our certificate of insurance & bonding to all of our clients.
Do you collect sales tax?
Do you collect sales tax?
Yes. We collect sales tax from our shoppers as required by law. This is added to the selling price of your items as you would expect in any retail environment. Tax collected is passed to the government and is not included in gross sale proceeds.
Yes. We collect sales tax from our shoppers as required by law. This is added to the selling price of your items as you would expect in any retail environment. Tax collected is passed to the government and is not included in gross sale proceeds.
What is an Estate Sale?
What is an Estate Sale?
An estate sale is the complete liquidation of all contents of a home in a short amount of time.
An estate sale is the complete liquidation of all contents of a home in a short amount of time.
What will the house look like after you’re finished?
What will the house look like after you’re finished?
Clean and empty. We understand that a clean empty house is often one of the biggest goals in having an estate sale. We work with a local charity to donate any remaining items after the sale. Our team removes all the trash from the estate and will have the house cleaned to your specifications. When we are finished, the house is clean, empty, and ready to close.
Clean and empty. We understand that a clean empty house is often one of the biggest goals in having an estate sale. We work with a local charity to donate any remaining items after the sale. Our team removes all the trash from the estate and will have the house cleaned to your specifications. When we are finished, the house is clean, empty, and ready to close.
How much do your services cost?
How much do your services cost?
To keep things simple, we do not charge any up-front fees for the sale. Instead we charge a commission based on the size and complexity of your sale, typically ranging from 30-45%. We work hard to earn our commission and your future referral, thus also ensuring you earn top dollar on your estate. When you profit, so do we.
To keep things simple, we do not charge any up-front fees for the sale. Instead we charge a commission based on the size and complexity of your sale, typically ranging from 30-45%. We work hard to earn our commission and your future referral, thus also ensuring you earn top dollar on your estate. When you profit, so do we.
You will receive your payout check within 10 business days of the close of sale. Every estate is different, and we customize a proposal and plan based on your needs.
You will receive your payout check within 10 business days of the close of sale. Every estate is different, and we customize a proposal and plan based on your needs.
Dumpster rental and trash fees are at the expense of the client and are deducted from your net sales proceeds.
Dumpster rental and trash fees are at the expense of the client and are deducted from your net sales proceeds.
Do you have a contract for us to sign?
Do you have a contract for us to sign?
Yes. We use a written agreement, which is intended to provide clarity and peace of mind for you. We will send this agreement to you for your review and signature after we have assessed the viability of an estate sale for your situation, provided you with a formal proposal and received notice of your intent to proceed.
Yes. We use a written agreement, which is intended to provide clarity and peace of mind for you. We will send this agreement to you for your review and signature after we have assessed the viability of an estate sale for your situation, provided you with a formal proposal and received notice of your intent to proceed.
How long is the process?
How long is the process?
In most cases it takes two weeks from start to finish.
In most cases it takes two weeks from start to finish.
You can expect our team to be working full-time on your property during the time preceding your estate sale, depending on the amount of preparation required.
You can expect our team to be working full-time on your property during the time preceding your estate sale, depending on the amount of preparation required.
We can usually complete a home clearance in 1-3 days after a sale has finished.
We can usually complete a home clearance in 1-3 days after a sale has finished.
Can I be living in the house when you do the estate sale?
Can I be living in the house when you do the estate sale?
Unfortunately no. Our process is quite intensive as we bring an entire team of organizers, stagers, pricers, and advertisers to transform your house into a shopping venue. If this is a big challenge for you, we can brainstorm solutions during our free home consultation.
Unfortunately no. Our process is quite intensive as we bring an entire team of organizers, stagers, pricers, and advertisers to transform your house into a shopping venue. If this is a big challenge for you, we can brainstorm solutions during our free home consultation.
What do you do with the things that do not sell?
What do you do with the things that do not sell?
Our services don’t stop when your estate sale is over. Though we pride ourselves on the amount of an estate’s items we are able to liquidate, there are often items left at the end of the sale. We can assist with facilitating donations to local charities, such as From His House to Your House Free Store or another charity or entity of your choosing. A buyout option, depending on quantity and quality of the items that are remaining is another option to consider for estate sale leftovers. We will go through your remaining items and work with you to decide on the best option for you.
Our services don’t stop when your estate sale is over. Though we pride ourselves on the amount of an estate’s items we are able to liquidate, there are often items left at the end of the sale. We can assist with facilitating donations to local charities, such as From His House to Your House Free Store or another charity or entity of your choosing. A buyout option, depending on quantity and quality of the items that are remaining is another option to consider for estate sale leftovers. We will go through your remaining items and work with you to decide on the best option for you.
What if you find jewelry, cash or valuables when you're sorting through my belongings?
What if you find jewelry, cash or valuables when you're sorting through my belongings?
This is quite common! We often find photos, private papers, jewelry and/or cash stashed in unusual places. All items would be discussed with you prior to adding them to the sale.
This is quite common! We often find photos, private papers, jewelry and/or cash stashed in unusual places. All items would be discussed with you prior to adding them to the sale.
How do I know you'll price my items correctly?
How do I know you'll price my items correctly?
Because we are commission based, we are very motivated to correctly identify and sell your items for their highest value. We take our time, do our research, and contract with specialists such as gemologists and antiquarians on an “as needed” basis.
Because we are commission based, we are very motivated to correctly identify and sell your items for their highest value. We take our time, do our research, and contract with specialists such as gemologists and antiquarians on an “as needed” basis.
Will you provide an inventory price list?
Will you provide an inventory price list?
We believe in transparent transactions and take inventory of the items sold and payments garnered. We provide you with a copy of these transactions for record-keeping purposes. If you are wanting a more detailed itemized record we can accommodate you for an additional bookkeeping fee.
We believe in transparent transactions and take inventory of the items sold and payments garnered. We provide you with a copy of these transactions for record-keeping purposes. If you are wanting a more detailed itemized record we can accommodate you for an additional bookkeeping fee.
Will there be discounts or negotiations during the sale?
Will there be discounts or negotiations during the sale?
Yes. To remain competitive and to ensure a successful and complete estate sale, we price items fairly and consider all fair offers. You can be sure we will not give anything away and we do ask our homeowners to list all non-negotiable priced items for us before the sale.
Yes. To remain competitive and to ensure a successful and complete estate sale, we price items fairly and consider all fair offers. You can be sure we will not give anything away and we do ask our homeowners to list all non-negotiable priced items for us before the sale.
Do I need to be present during the sale?
Do I need to be present during the sale?
No. We actually prefer owners are not present. When an owner is on-premises during a sale they will frequently be approached by friends looking to get in early or for deals. This can result in an awkward situation. Also, owners can sometimes be sentimental about selling items or the property. Our job is to make this process simple, easy, and stress free for you.
No. We actually prefer owners are not present. When an owner is on-premises during a sale they will frequently be approached by friends looking to get in early or for deals. This can result in an awkward situation. Also, owners can sometimes be sentimental about selling items or the property. Our job is to make this process simple, easy, and stress free for you.
What are the benefits of an Online Estate Sale?
What are the benefits of an Online Estate Sale?
If your HOA doesn’t allow on-site estate sales, or you just don’t want to have hundreds of people coming through your home, our online estate sale service is perfect for you. Online estate sales also have the option to offer shipping which has the potential to reach a larger audience of buyers.
If your HOA doesn’t allow on-site estate sales, or you just don’t want to have hundreds of people coming through your home, our online estate sale service is perfect for you. Online estate sales also have the option to offer shipping which has the potential to reach a larger audience of buyers.
What is the difference between an Online Auction and an In Person Estate Sale?
What is the difference between an Online Auction and an In Person Estate Sale?
Both methods can achieve the same result of selling through the assets, yet there are a few differences.
Both methods can achieve the same result of selling through the assets, yet there are a few differences.
An online auction is the selling of property on a public platform through competitive bidding. Items will sell to the highest bidder. After the auction closes, all winning bidders will come to your home to pick up their items curbside or they may be shipped at the buyer's expense. This method typically takes longer to liquidate an estate because after we finish preparing all the items for the sale the auction is live for 7 days and then pick up and clean out is still needed.
An online auction is the selling of property on a public platform through competitive bidding. Items will sell to the highest bidder. After the auction closes, all winning bidders will come to your home to pick up their items curbside or they may be shipped at the buyer's expense. This method typically takes longer to liquidate an estate because after we finish preparing all the items for the sale the auction is live for 7 days and then pick up and clean out is still needed.
A traditional in-person sale is an in-home liquidation process in which items are to be sold at a set asking price. The public is invited inside to shop over the course of 1-4 days.
A traditional in-person sale is an in-home liquidation process in which items are to be sold at a set asking price. The public is invited inside to shop over the course of 1-4 days.
Both options have their own pros and cons and we will discuss the best option for you during your free consultation.
Both options have their own pros and cons and we will discuss the best option for you during your free consultation.
Do you handle "Hoarder Houses?"
Do you handle "Hoarder Houses?"
Yes. We work with every situation with discretion and professionalism. Let us know how we can help.
Yes. We work with every situation with discretion and professionalism. Let us know how we can help.