Hunting for rare and valuable items is not only fun, it is a great way to add to a collection or to turn a profit. You might have watched some television shows recently that feature people hunting for these types of bargains so that they can turn around and sell the items. They usually call themselves pickers. But pickers on a television show get exclusive access to properties just so the owner of the property can say that they have been on TV. The rest of us have to do it the old fashioned way – through word of mouth, aging garage sales or the enviable estate sale.
If you are new to picking, then you might not know the term “estate sale.” An estate sale is like the major leagues of garage sales. They are not run on lawns or in garages, they take place in the person’s actual home. You are invited in by a professional firm that runs the sale. This firm sets the price for everything that is being put on sale.
People run estate sales for a few different reasons. Most people hire an estate sale company because they are moving into a smaller home and need to get rid of some stuff. Sometimes people are settling debts, getting a divorce or there has been a death in the family. The reasons for the sale don’t really concern you, but if someone is settling a debt then there might be some high quality picking at their sale.
If you are new to picking at estate sales, then you might want to heed some of these tips:
• You’re not going to find any junk. Professional firms run these estate sales. These firms bring in professional appraisers and set the price for everything that may be on sale. This means that the items you are buying have been appraised and set at a reasonable price. There is no junk being sold for an outrageous price. The vast majority of the time, the price is equal to the quality. But since the stuff has been used, you are getting a great price on invaluable items.
• Pickers love to pick, and the best stuff in the house usually goes rather quickly. Estate sales are publicly listed by the companies that run the sale, so you need to get there early to beat the crowd and get the best stuff.
• Don’t be afraid to ask about the attic and the basement of the house. Sometimes people have stored treasures into the nooks and crannies of the home.
• Ask about anything you see in the home. This includes the trimmings of the house itself, such as the curtains, blinds and rugs.
• All sales are final. The true value of an item is in the eye of the beholder, so make sure you like your purchase before completing it.
Be sure to check out our estate sales at HeritageEstateSale.com. We have plenty of estate sales listed in the Los Angeles area for all interested pickers.