Estate Sales

Maximizing Value from Your Inherited Treasures: A Step-by-Step Guide to Estate Sales with Lion and Unicorn

Posted on by Charlie Ellis
To plan an estate sale, you’re faced with the significant responsibility of honoring someone’s legacy while maximizing value from your inherited treasures. The task of managing an estate sale can seem daunting; however it’s an opportunity to celebrate the passions of those we’ve lost and ensure their cherished belongings find new homes where they will continue to be valued and appreciated. This step-by-step guide to estate sales is designed to provide you with the essential how-to information and support you need to navigate through the estate sale process. 
 
For best results, you will need a guide to estate sales. Lion & Unicorn, South Florida’s esteemed auction house professional experts will guide you with expertise, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to maximizing the value of your inherited treasures in an estate sale. From the initial steps of organizing and appraising to the final act of conducting the sale, experts at Lion & Unicorn are here to ensure this experience is successful and offers you a sense of closure and accomplishment. 

What are Estate Sales?

An estate sale typically involves selling the personal property of a deceased individual. Unlike garage sales, estate sales are more comprehensive, often encompassing the entire contents of a home. These sales can include everything from furniture and art to jewelry and collectibles. The primary goal is to liquidate the estate efficiently while maximizing the value of the items sold.

What Do You Sell at Estate Sales?

A wide variety of items, each offering unique appeal and potential for discovery, are commonly featured in estate sales:
  • Pottery: This category captures everything from functional kitchenware to one-of-a-kind artistic creations, each piece showcasing the history and craftsmanship of its makers.
  • Art: Our collections feature a diverse array of artworks, including paintings, prints, and mixed media. These pieces reflect various periods, styles, and emotions, appealing to a wide range of collectors.
  • Sculptures: From classical to contemporary, sculptures add a three-dimensional beauty to any collection, embodying the vision and skill of their creators.
  • Automobiles: These are not just modes of transportation but cherished pieces of history and design, often holding significant sentimental and monetary value.
  • Coins: Stamps, coins, and memorabilia are just some passions of collectors found at estate sales.
  • Furniture and Home Decor: The furniture and decorative items found in estate sales can range from antiques to modern pieces.
  • Jewelry and Watches: These items stand out for their craftsmanship and materials, symbolizing milestones, celebrations, and personal stories.
  • Musical Instruments: From grand pianos to vintage guitars, musical instruments carry the melodies of the past, offering both aesthetic and auditory delight.
  • Books: Books open windows to the worlds, ideas, and stories that captivated the owner, ranging from rare first editions to beloved novels.
  • Other Items: As estate sales attract buyers looking for a variety of items, in order to maximize the value of your inherited treasures, get the help of professional experts. 
With Lion & Unicorn, each item is professionally appraised, not just for its material worth but for the unique narrative it contributes to the tapestry of the estate. Our mission is to ensure these treasures find new homes where they will continue to be valued and loved, facilitating a smooth transition and honoring the legacy of the departed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Estate Sales

In an estate sale, as each item finds a new owner, a piece of history lives on, creating a lasting legacy. Get support on this journey – let experts help you maximize value from your inherited treasures, find others who will appreciate and cherish them as much as your loved ones have. Here are the steps to a successful estate sale:
 
Step 1: Initial Assessment
Begin by making a thorough inventory of the estate’s contents. This initial assessment will help you understand the scope of items available for sale and identify any valuable or rare pieces that may require special attention. During this emotionally charged process, it’s crucial to approach the task with both sensitivity and practicality.
Step 2: Consultation with Lion & Unicorn
Once you have a basic inventory, the next step is to seek professional guidance. Consulting with Lion & Unicorn early in the process can provide you with an invaluable roadmap for the estate sale. Our experts will help you evaluate the inventory, suggest the best sales strategy, and identify items that may require appraisal.

Do You Need a Professional Appraiser?

Yes. To maximize the value of your inherited treasures, a professional appraiser is essential. An expert appraiser will accurately value each item, ensuring you receive fair market prices. This is particularly important for unique, rare, or high-value items, where specialized knowledge is needed to determine their worth.
 
Step 3: Professional Appraisal with Lion & Unicorn
Lion & Unicorn offer comprehensive appraisal services conducted by our experienced specialists. This critical step not only informs the pricing strategy for the estate sale but also ensures that you and the estate’s beneficiaries receive equitable compensation for the sale of these items. Our appraisers are skilled in evaluating a wide range of personal property, from antiques and fine art to collectibles and everyday items.
 
Step 4: Planning the Estate Sale
With the appraisal in hand, it’s time to plan the sale. Lion & Unicorn will assist in organizing the event, from selecting the sale date to determining the best format for selling the items (e.g., on-site estate sale, online auction, or a combination of both). Our team will also advise on marketing strategies to attract the right buyers and ensure a successful sale.
 
Step 5: Preparing for the Sale
Preparation includes everything from cleaning and repairing items to be sold to staging the home for the sale. Lion & Unicorn can provide guidance on best practices for presenting items to attract buyers and achieve the best prices. This step may also involve cataloging items for online sales or auctions.
Step 6: Conducting the Sale
On the day of the sale, the experienced team from Lion & Unicorn manage all aspects of the event, ensuring it runs smoothly. From overseeing transactions to handling inquiries, our professionals will take care of the details, allowing you to focus on more personal matters.
Step 7: Post-Sale Wrap-up
After the sale concludes, there may still be unsold items. Lion & Unicorn can advise on donation options or organize a secondary sale to maximize returns. We’ll also provide a detailed accounting of the sale’s results, ensuring transparency and clarity for all involved.

Why Choose Lion & Unicorn?

Opting for Lion & Unicorn means selecting a partner that offers empathy, expertise, and comprehensive services tailored to your needs. We understand the intricacies of estate sales and are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our team is equipped to handle every aspect of the sale, from initial assessments and professional appraisals to sale organization and execution.
 
In choosing to work with us, you’re ensuring that your loved one’s treasures are handled with care and professionalism, securing their legacy and maximizing the value returned to the estate. Let Lion & Unicorn guide you through this complex process with our expert services, making this challenging time a little easier to navigate.
 
To learn more about how we can assist with your estate sale, contact Lion & Unicorn today. Our team is ready to provide you with the support, expertise, and compassionate service you need.