.png)
What are the different methods of
liquidating an estate?
So glad you asked! There are a variety of ways to clear out an estate. We have listed each along with their "pros" here (and we can talk about "cons" in person.) Based on our experience, the final numbers are all in the same ballpark. It comes down to a conversation about your specific needs and what our experience suggests is the best way to clean out your property.
1
Buyout
Take Heart Estates offers a flat fee for the entire estate contents or a specific portion of the estate (i.e., the barn, the shed, the garage.) We often begin packing up as soon as the deal is made.
For distressed properties, a variation of the "buyout" is a "trashout" -- Take Heart will salvage anything saleable, and you pay us to remove the contents that don't have value.
Big advantage: Cleans out a property very quickly.
2
Estate Sale
Take Heart Estates coordinates an estate sale by marketing, prepping, pricing, and executing the sale.
Big advantage: Can place a specific price on items. Sometimes realtors like estate sales because many people get to see the property. This is currently our most common option.
3
Moving Items to Auction
Take Heart Estates moves estate contents to our auction house to sell items in an upcoming auction.
Big advantage: Get to use the auction process for selling.
4
Onsite Auction
Take Heart Estates coordinates an onsite auction for a percentage of total or a flat fee. This option has some logistical requirements.
Big advantage: Get to use the auction process without moving the items. AND, at the end of the auction, everything is gone!
The "usual" process:
Determine a realtor (happy to provide referrals!) and estate company (that's us!).
-
Once the estate deal is determined, Take Heart empties the property by the deadline.
-
Then, work with a realtor make arrangements for deep cleaning and landscape work.
-
Have realtor photograph and list the house! Public viewings can begin!
What do I need to do in order to be ready?
-
Get any legal paperwork in order that indicates you have the authority to sell.
-
Take or clearly mark the items that you (or loved ones) want to keep.
-
Call us to come for a visit and discuss options. (Ideally Step 1 and Step 2 are already done when we come!)
Enjoy Stress Free Estate Liquidation!
You don't need to clean. We've seen it all -- hoarder to minimalist. Our job is to take away the stress of estate liquidation.
You don't need to throw things away -- in fact, we prefer that you don't. We will dispose of anything unsellable. Sometimes people don't realize what has value.
You don't have to be onsite. Some people want to and that's fine. But more often, we work with realtors or have other special arrangements for access.
You don't have to "pre-sell" items -- in fact, the more high value items there are, the more we are interested.
Our job is to make estate liquidation as easy as possible for you!