BLIND GIRL PRODUCTIONS
Email: blindgirlproductions@hotmail.com
Phone: 713 518 3030
Thinking of having an Estate Sale?
Suggestions to prepare:
Assess the contents of the home
Remove all identifying paperwork such as tax documents, bills, credit cards, etc.
Remove or mark all furniture and items to be retained by the family before contacting an estate liquidation company. This makes it easier for a representative to assess the feasibility of having an estate sale.
Be reserved with what items you throw away. What may seem like trash is a treasure to another.
Interview the estate liquidation company representative for fees and services offered. Every company is different on how they setup and present a sale to the public. Ask about advertising, manning and the removal of contents after the sale.
Have documentation supporting you are the “Personal Representative” of the Estate and as evidence of your authority to administer the estate, agree to supply a copy of one of the following required by legal authority: “Letters of Testamentary,” “Letters of Administration with Will Annexed,” or “Letters of Administration" or similar documents.
Other considerations are:
Start planning early! Many companies require 2 to 4 weeks to prepare a sale to the general public.
NEVER pay for any services up front.
List any items not found before any sale the family wishes to retain.
Depending on home size, location and the amount of contents, an estate sale can be 1 to 4 days in length.
Is the home in an HOA governed neighborhood? If so, does the HOA permit or have exemptions for estate sales?
The Houston area has many small municipalities and some do not permit any kind of sale from a home such as garage or estate sales or any kind of business operations other than the sale of home. If so, consider a company that can clean out or conduct an offsite sale in another location.
Many liquidation companies will collect and return any found identifying paperwork, old family photos, etc. to the family representative. Ask to make sure.
Ask for references.
Go to a couple of estate sales and if possible one conducted by the company you are considering for your liquidation.