Q: As I’ve been decluttering in advance of a move, I’ve identified plenty of things to gift to relatives and friends, and plenty of things to donate, but only a few things I think are worth trying to sell. Is there a minimum number of items for an auction? Theodore C., Georgetown
A: There is no hard-and-fast rule, but generally speaking, if you only have a few items to sell, a garage or yard sale may be a better option, simply because you will have no commission fees to pay. If the items are more valuable than typical garage sale fare, or if your community does not allow yard/garage sales, then some online auctions can include items from several sellers.
Q: What’s the difference between a garage sale, an online auction and an estate sale? We’re not sure which one is appropriate for our needs. Cynthia B., Laurel
A: Yes, summer’s here – the season for garage sales and yard sales! Before deciding among the options for holding a sale, think about your goals. Are you holding the sale to make money, or is there a greater purpose for the sale, like cleaning out an area of the house (garage, attic, etc.), decluttering in preparation for a move, or acting as a trustee by liquidating an entire estate for a late loved one? Estate sales typically work best when there is a very large volume of inventory and at least a couple of items will attract specific buyers willing to pay higher prices. Depending on logistics and community regulations, online estate sales may be the better choice with the same benefits as an in-person estate sale. But, if there are very few items with limited value in today’s market, a garage sale may produce the intended result without the time and administrative costs associated with a full-blown estate sale. I hope that helps, Cynthia.
Q: I have original art by a famous American artist that I think is worth a lot of money. Is an auction the right way to sell it? Tammy B., Milford
A: Well, it’s hard to say. I have seen original Andrew Wyeth paintings go for far less than their owners expected, for one good reason: Wyeth was very prolific, and his works are available everywhere! I think your best bet is to have an art appraiser give you a realistic price for the work. Also, check auction house websites to see if they have comparable works (remember, they have built commissions into their prices!), and then determine the best avenue for you to sell that painting.
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Stacey Himler is owner of Caring Transitions of Southern Delaware, the region’s professional solution for full relocation services including downsizing, decluttering and estate sales.
To ask Stacey questions, write her at AskStacey@caringtransitions.com.
